DA calls on CoGTA to address dire conditions of Free State municipalities

By Johnathan Paoli

The DA in the Free State has slammed the ANC-run municipalities for their continued failure to meet basic service delivery standards.

DA spokesperson on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs David McKay said a new report by the South African Human Rights Commission has uncovered severe inefficiencies and human rights violations in Free State municipalities, with R4.2 billion wasted on fruitless and wasteful expenditure in the last financial year.

“This affects not only homes but also schools, health facilities, and police cells. Despite 30 years of democracy, several municipalities continue to use a dehumanising system of bucket toilets, violating rights to adequate sanitation and safe water,” he said.

McKay said the SAHRC and the Auditor-General’s reports reveal a pattern of poor financial oversight, underspending on essential grants, and a complete lack of clean audits over the last six years.

He said the SAHRC report also highlighted that the