By Teboho Moloi
VILJOENSKROON – The Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport has spent R2 billion on maintaining and rehabilitating provincial roads during the 2024/2025 financial year, MEC Jabu Mbalula has confirmed.
Mbalula made the announcement during the official provincial launch of Transport Month in Viljoenskroon, where he also opened the newly completed Viljoenskroon–Orkney (R76/R30) road — one of seven major road projects recently completed in the province.
“We want to fix all our roads, but we prioritise those that serve the people and have the greatest economic impact,” said Mbalula.
“This particular road is a strategic commercial route that connects key agricultural and mining areas.”
He revealed that R31 million was invested in the Viljoenskroon–Orkney project, which created 320 job opportunities during its construction phase.
This year’s Transport Month is being celebrated under the theme “Towards Inclusive Mobility”, highlighting the importance of accessible, safe and user-friendly transport for all.
“Transport is not just about building infrastructure,” Mbalula said.
“It’s about building social and economic connections. Every bridge we construct reconnects a learner to a school; every road links workers to opportunities.”
Motorists across the Free State have long complained about the poor condition of provincial roads, often blaming them for accidents. Mbalula said the department is tackling these challenges head-on, with over 6 000 job opportunities created through various road construction and rehabilitation projects, and an additional 650 through the province’s pothole patching programme.
He further blamed reckless driving and disregard for road rules as a major cause of crashes. To address this, the department has launched a Youth Driver Development Programme in partnership with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) to improve road safety and open pathways into the logistics industry.
So far, 37 young people from Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo have completed their Code 10 and 14 training, while 40 more in Mangaung are still in training.
Mbalula also announced the refurbishment of six vehicle testing stations across the province to improve compliance and service delivery in a safer, more efficient environment.
In addition, he defended his department’s Shova Kalula bicycle initiative, which provided 630 bicycles to learners in rural areas to help them travel safely to school.
The beneficiaries include:
Letsemeng: 111 bicycles
Kopanong: 99
Naledi: 10
Tswelopele: 164
Matjhabeng: 36
Metsimaholo: 210
“This initiative is about giving rural learners reliable and safe access to education,” said Mbalula.
The MEC concluded by reaffirming his department’s commitment to improving mobility, safety and access across the province, ensuring that every citizen can “move freely and participate meaningfully in the economy.”
