By Emily Setona
INTABAZWE – Despite the cold winter weather, the community hall in Intabazwe was packed as residents gathered to hear responses from Free State government leaders following concerns they had raised about policing, healthcare, roads, housing and economic development.
Leading the engagement, Free State MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport Jabu Mbalula assured residents that government had listened to their concerns and would return to provide progress on the commitments made.
Responding to concerns about unemployment among young people, Mbalula said age should never be a reason for people to remain unemployed, adding that government must create opportunities for all residents.
On policing, Thabo Mofutsanyana District SAPS Commissioner Major General Winnie Mokalake urged residents to work with police in rooting out corruption.
“When it comes to crime, the police do not tolerate corruption. If there are police officers involved in corrupt activities, residents must report them by name so that they can face the consequences,” she said.
Mokalake acknowledged the poor condition of the Intabazwe Satellite Police Station, describing the building as dilapidated. She mentioned that her superior MEC Mbalula had already met with her immediate boss SAPS Lieutenant General Lesia to discuss securing funding for the facility.
Addressing the residents Mbalula said the following, “We want to discuss with residents where the correct place will be to build a permanent police station. The District Development Model (DDM) is there to assist government in achieving these goals. We must come back to the community to say we have found the money and indicate when construction of the police station will begin.”
Free State MEC for Health Monyatso Mahlatsi thanked Mbalula for creating an opportunity for government to engage directly with residents.
“I was raised by a mother who commuted from Bolata to Harrismith, so I know that Harrismith was once a community with a vibrant economy. I plead with the community to support us. We will continue providing information and engaging with residents,” he said.
Mahlatsi acknowledged challenges facing healthcare services in the area, including staff shortages, ageing infrastructure, limited resources and ambulance delays.
He said Maluti-a-Phofung Executive Mayor Tumelo Thebe had raised concerns with him about conditions at Thebe Hospital, adding that the department was giving the matter urgent attention.
The MEC revealed that the province currently has 242 ambulances, of which 30 are broken down while others require servicing. He said the department plans to replace 105 ambulances during the current financial year.
He also acknowledged that the Harrismith Clinic building is in poor condition and said the department would also assess the needs of Intabazwe Clinic and Lesedi Clinic as demand for healthcare services continues to grow.
Maluti-a-Phofung Executive Mayor Tumelo Thebe appealed to residents to work with government in resolving community challenges.
“We must change the way we address our issues because it is almost as if the people of Intabazwe are unruly,” he said.
