Ntombela’s motive behind the operation is to see if reports handed over to her office correlate with what is indeed happening on the ground.

According to a press statement, she was accompanied by the Director-General of the Provincial Government, Kopung Ralikontsana.

ALSO READ: Free State: Operation Thoso to elevate the state of health

A visit was made to the Dark City and Silver City housing project in Phahameng, whereby she expressed her reservations over the speed the project is going. The integrated social housing project, estimated to be worth R110 million began during the former provincial premier, Ace Magashule’s reign. Magashule before stepping down as premier in 2018, he also expressed his concerns over the speed the project is going, but he vowed to put pressure on contractors to finish the project in due course. Four years later and the project is still incomplete.

ALSO READ: ‘Dark City delay contractors’ fault’

Another thing that concerned Ntombela is the completed houses at the Hillside view housing development projects that are unoccupied, nor have been allocated to any deserving beneficiaries. The statement states that Ntombela has tasked government officials to move with speed in ensuring those houses are occupied by deserving beneficiaries. Ntombela and Ralikontsana also had an opportunity to see the woman they previously handed a house to during the Letsema campaign lauch, Lerato Ntsaku whose family’s house had burned down.

ALSO READ: #Letsema: Free State family receives new home

Upon her arrival at the government garage, Ntombela was impressed over the large number of patient transportation which will soon be rolled out to different regions to assist communities. She however reiterated the need to have more ambulances servicing the community. The provincial department has previously been put on the spotlight by the national department concerning the shortage of health workers, which has resulted in the backlog of operations at the province’s foremost trauma hospital - the Pelonomi Hospital.  

ALSO READ: Provinsies sal moet sê oor tekort aan gesondheidswerkers

OFM News previously reported not only is there a shortage of health workers which not only include nurses and doctors, but also security guards and cleaners. Pelonomi Hospital is also set to have a shortage of medical accessories such as syringes and protective clothing, as well as a backlog in maintenance of equipment and a shortage of linen.

OFM News