PREMIER Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has accused the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party of hypocrisy concerning cadre deployment and corruption.
In a heated response to the Free State Legislature’s debate on her State of the Province Address (SOPA), she highlighted the DA’s alleged inconsistencies, particularly focusing on the controversial employment of Stefan De Villiers in the Ekurhuleni Local Municipality and a R1.2 billion tender scandal in the Western Cape.
“Honourable speaker, perhaps you should not be surprised by this – in Ekurhuleni Municipality, the DA employed Stefan de Villiers in the position of executive director with being a DA member as the only one requirement needed,” Letsoha-Mathae said.
De Villiers, a former personal trainer and bodybuilder, was appointed by the DA-run municipality as executive head despite lacking the requisite qualifications and experience for the role.
The Premier also called for law enforcement agencies to investigate the DA-led Western Cape government’s awarding of a R1.2 billion tender for Local Area Network (LAN) services to schools.
A forensic report by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc uncovered procedural flaws and compliance issues in the tender process, leading to suspensions of senior officials within the State Information Technology Agency.
“We call upon the South African law enforcement agencies to be closer to the Office of the Premier in the Western Cape to investigate the widespread corruption allegation of R1.2 billion tender for LAN services to Western Cape schools,” Letsoha-Mathae urged.
Additionally, the Premier criticised the DA’s silence regarding allegations of corruption against Cape Town city councillors JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg, as well as the recent arrest of DA member Malusi Booi in connection with a billion-rand housing tender fraud.
She emphasised her administration’s commitment to building a capable and ethical public service, aligning with the province’s development goals.
“We have said in the SOPA, honourable speaker, we are going to professionalise and regularise the public service in our path to build a capable, ethical and developmental state,” Letsoha-Mathae reaffirmed.
In contrast, DA Free State leader Roy Jankielsohn criticised the Premier’s address, stating that it lacked concrete solutions to the province’s systemic issues.
“It is clear that the ANC government has abandoned its duty to serve the people of this province,” Jankielsohn remarked. – Staff Reporter