Central SA
Ruling party speaks on #Letsema house─── TSHEHLA KOTELI 09:52 Fri, 22 Jul 2022
The ruling party in the Free State, the ANC, has shared their side of the story over the purchase of the house that was handed over to a less privileged family in Bloemfontein.
According to the provincial spokesperson for the ANC, Oupa Khoabane, the ANC-led government built the house that was handed over during the launch of the ANC’s nationwide Letsema Campaign.
This follows after the DA’s leader in the province, Roy Jankielson, alleged that the ANC has given the public the impression that they have used their (ANC) funds to purchase the house for Lerato Ntsaku and her family, even though the provincial government’s funds were used.
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Jankielson further stated that the office of the Public Protector (PP) must look into the funds of the Letsema Campaign, as the PP's office previously looked into Operation Hlasela and found maladministration. The opposition party alleges that the ANC abuses state resources for things out of the government mandate. The Free State premier, Sisi Ntombela, in response denied allegations of using state resources for anything beyond the mandate of government.
The provincial government’s spokesperson, Sello Pietersen, told OFM News that Ntombela is aware of the allegations the DA made, and should the PP’s Office investigate, she is willing to subject herself to cooperation. “Ntombela remains committed to the provision of services to the people of the province, including through the provision of housing to those who need and qualify for them. The premier appreciates and always upholds the highest forms of good governance and transparency,” he added.
The Letsema Campaign was launched on 23 April 2022 with the aim of dealing with the shortfalls of service delivery and corruption, and also reconnect residents with the party moving forward. At the beginning of the launch, the ANC’s president Cyril Ramaphosa, Ntombela, and other ANC members, including ministers, MECs, mayors, and councillors, made a turn to hand over Ntsaku’s house, with a little furniture. The reason for her getting a new house at Hillside View was explained. It was said the old house where she and her family resided had partly burned down.
Ntsaku will be living with her two brothers and two children at her house, which is allegedly worth R133 000.
