By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – The Free State Treasury has drawn a hard line against municipal dysfunction, with Finance MEC Ketso Makume declaring 2026 a “year of fixing local government” and warning that accountability will now be enforced.
Delivering the Provincial Treasury Budget Vote at Bluegumbosch Multipurpose Hall on 28 April, Makume signalled a shift from plans to action—tightening oversight, cutting waste and forcing consequences for poor financial management.
“Accountability remains the bedrock of our democracy. 2026 must be a decisive turning point,” he said.
Makume said municipalities would face stricter scrutiny to curb inefficiency, stamp out irregular expenditure and ensure budgets translate into visible service delivery.
“It is a year in which we move beyond diagnosis to implementation—where inefficiencies are corrected and a culture of sound financial management is entrenched,” he said.
The Treasury pointed to improving financial discipline across the province, citing stronger oversight and better compliance with reporting standards.
At local level, Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality reported early gains under new management. Municipal Manager Advocate Mzwakhe Mofokeng said targeted interventions are beginning to stabilise basic services.
“We have strengthened our fleet to improve response times. Water supply has improved, electricity has stabilised, and the Thaba Bosiu water project is now 85% complete,” he said.
He added that new infrastructure is helping tackle outages, including equipment deployed to resolve disruptions in Harrismith.
On revenue, Mofokeng said the municipality is rolling out electricity meters to boost collections and fund maintenance.
Backing the crackdown, ANC MPL Thabo Meeko said misuse of public funds would not be tolerated.
“The ANC did not send its members to misuse government resources. This budget makes it clear—municipalities must account to the people,” he said.
The budget signals an aggressive push to restore governance, rebuild failing systems and deliver measurable improvements—placing municipalities under pressure to perform or face consequences.
One Response
Absolutely Nothing can be shown around GreaterHarrismith/ Tshiame/ Makgolokoeng/ Letsitsa Village New Township Establishment for the wasted+25 years of the Dysfunctional Maluti a Phofung Municipality protected by the so called Free State Province, Premier,MECs District towards Total Collapse and Destroyed Infrastructure instead using our Communities as Voting Cattles during Elections