FREE STATE NCOP DELEGATES ADVOCATE FOR BLACKLISTING CONTRACTORS WHO ABANDON PROJECTS

Mapule Dhlamini

By: Neo Ntsele

The Free State permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) have advocated for the blacklisting of contractors who abandon or delay project completion in the province.

In a meeting on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, with Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and representatives from the Office of the Auditor-General, the delegation was briefed on ongoing projects in the province.

Projects facing issues include the construction of the Pelonomi Hospital Maternity and Neonatal Unit, which has been delayed for over eight years.

This project's non-completion has led to overcrowding, increased infection risk, and diminished quality of healthcare services.

The Botshabelo Wastewater Treatment facility is also experiencing operational failure, resulting in untreated sewage being released into the environment and contaminating water resources.

Contract failure and poor contract management were identified as factors contributing to the collapse of the Tweespruit–Excelsior Road.

Although a new contractor has been appointed after the original one abandoned the project, delays persist, with the Auditor-General raising concerns about overpayments.

The delegation strongly criticised the culture of non-accountability and lack of consequence management for contractors in the province.

“We cannot continue coming here every year and being told of the same challenges of non-completion of projects. What we need is stringent reporting on these matters and blacklisting of the contractors with professional bodies and Treasury,” said Dhlamini, the leader of the delegation.

The briefing was part of the NCOP’s Provincial Week report-back program, where permanent delegates visit their provinces to oversee key public infrastructure and service delivery projects.

Building on the Provincial Week oversight visits conducted in 2024 and 2025, delegates are assessing the progress made by national, provincial, and local governments in implementing recommendations previously adopted by the NCOP this week.

The delegation is expected to conduct site visits to various projects, including the Odendaalsrus Police Station in Kroonstad, the Steynsrus Road project, and the construction of Welkom G hostel.