
Review of Free State municipalities
In one of the worst situations Matjhabeng Local Municipality has been able to wrack up a water bill of R8.1 billion for yars.
Kopanong Municipality has not been paying pension fund contributions of its workers to the value of hundreds of millions of Rand.
Other municipalities have been accused of prioritizing exorbitant salaries for high officials over service delivery.
MPs have been on the ground to determine what's going on.
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperatie Governance and Traditional Affairs or COGTA is leading a two-day oversight visit in conjunction with the Premier of the Free State and a provincial MEC.
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The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Macpherson suspends EPWP funds to Matjhabeng Municipality
This follows reports that the municipality's EPWP payroll is allegedly being used to pay inflated salaries. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has suspended all Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) fund transfers to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. This follows reports that the municipality's EPWP payroll is allegedly being used to pay inflated salaries, over R31,000 per month , to former councillors and current political office bearers while others are paid as little R1,500. This is more than ten times the average EPWP stipend. Jobs According to reports, municipal insiders said this practice continues to undermine the EPWP's purpose and prevents thousands of local young people from accessing jobs. Under EPWP rules, jobs must be short-term and skills-based, prioritising vulnerable and unemployed groups, particularly young people, women and people with disabilities. Employment is limited to 24 months within a five-year cycle. ALSO READ: WATCH: Macpherson not deterred by 'political pressure or death threats' over R800m oxygen tender 'Lifeline' Macpherson said the EPWP was established to provide short-term, skills-based work opportunities, not to serve as a vehicle for political patronage. 'The EPWP is an essential lifeline for many in communities across the country, including in Matjhabeng, and it would therefore be wholly unacceptable if any politician or official is found to have used the programme for personal benefit. 'We simply cannot turn a blind eye when serious allegations of abuse are raised, which is why I have instructed the department to suspend EPWP fund transfers until a formal investigation can be completed,' Macpherson said. Reformation Macpherson added that the allegations further reinforce his view that the EPWP must be reformed to eliminate any possibility of abuse and ensure that intended beneficiaries fully benefit from the programme, free from political interference. 'Through the EPWP Listening Tour conducted nationwide, we have heard several serious allegations of abuse — such as those in Matjhabeng — and it is therefore critical that the programme be strengthened to eliminate any possibility of corruption and political patronage. 'After 20 years, we are committed to reforming the EPWP to ensure it remains a viable platform for empowerment well into the future, as we work to build a better South Africa,' Macpherson said. EPWP The EPWP, which was launched in 2004, was meant to tackle unemployment through labour-intensive projects like road maintenance, sanitation and community work. Earlier this month, Macpherson vowed to restore public trust in his department by taking decisive action against mismanagement, repurposing idle state assets, and reforming the EPWP. Macpherson confirmed that investigations into the Telkom Towers project and the PSA Oxygen Plant, managed by the Independent Development Trust (IDT), are expected to be completed by late July 2025. ALSO READ: Zikalala slams 'spurious' allegations about R45m IDT lease deal, heads to Public Protector

IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Public Works Minister takes action against alleged political abuse in Matjhabeng's EPWP
EPWP payments frozen in Matjhabeng amid claims of councillors receiving over R31,000 monthly; Minister vows to root out corruption and restore the programme's core purpose. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has halted all Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) fund transfers to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. This comes after a City Press investigation revealed that the municipality's EPWP payroll is allegedly being used to pay inflated salaries, over R31,000 per month , to former councillors and current political office bearers, more than ten times the average EPWP stipend. Macpherson said the EPWP was never meant to serve as a vehicle for political patronage, but rather to provide short-term, skills-based work opportunities to unemployed South Africans. He has now instructed the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to suspend all transfers to the municipality until a formal investigation is completed.


eNCA
6 days ago
- eNCA
Minister suspends EPWP funds to Matjhabeng
JOHANNESBURG - Public Works Minister, Dean Macpherson, has suspended Expanded Public Works Programme funding to Matjhabeng Local Municipality pending a full investigation. This follows reports that politically connected municipal workers are receiving inflated salaries through the EPWP. Some workers allegedly receive salaries as high as R30,000 per month, while others are paid as little R1,500. Macpherson says the EPWP was established to provide short-term, skills-based work opportunities, not to serve as a a vehicle for political patronage.