According to the departmental spokesperson, Hillary Mophethe, MEC William Bulwane will officially open the R70, the R76, and the R59 roads between Senekal and Ventersburg, Kroonstad and Viljoenskroon - including Viljoenskroon and Bothaville respectively - on Friday.

Mophethe says these routes, located in the Northern Free State, play a major role in the province and the country's economy as they link several provinces, including North West, the Northern Cape, and Gauteng. 

She adds that the central Free State is the home basket of the country, with different farming projects, and as such the department has to ensure that the road conditions in the province are good to allow safe navigation to import and export hubs in various markets.

ALSO READ: NW, FS rural roads to get facelift - President Ramaphosa

Free State residents have, from time to time, expressed their anger and frustration towards the provincial government and municipalities with the state of roads. 

Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa had vowed that his government will in the next few years embark on a programme to give a facelift to rural roads in the Free State and other provinces.

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