This comes after the party accused the department of making shady upfront payments worth R180 million to companies to which tenders were awarded.

ALSO READ: Free State Department accused of making shady payments

EFF's provincial secretary, Malefane Msimanga, says in a letter addressed to Mkhwebane, that they hope she will intervene accordingly and investigate the matter further to expose the alleged corrupt elements. 

In his letter, Msimanga adds that the party believes that "the aforesaid department [made] advanced payments amounting to R180 million, meant for roads’ construction and maintenance in the province, to various service providers to commence with the road construction projects and do the necessary maintenance.

"We wish to bring to your attention today that to date no construction or maintenance work has been done despite the fact that exorbitant amounts of taxpayers' money were paid to different contractors in advance.

"We are seated here struggling to comprehend why public funds were rushed into the pockets of individuals who to date have not begun to produce noticeable outputs.

"Having observed the above, we find ourselves with no option but to approach your office as one of the Chapter Nine institutions for urgent intervention," Msimanga adds.

The reported roads that the tenders were awarded for, include Dewetsdorp, Tweeling and Jim Fouché, among others.

In one instance it is alleged the department paid R47 million upfront for the construction of the Dewetsdorp road, another R41 million for construction of the Reitz- and Tweeling Road and R18m towards the Thaba Nchu public route.

Meanwhile, the department's MEC, William Bulwane, tells OFM Mews that some of the details involving these allegations are sub judice, as the matter is currently in front of the Free State High Court. He declined to comment further on the matter.

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