The EFF in the Free State has called on Premier MaQueen Letsoha Mathae to take urgent action against Public Works MEC following allegations of irregular expenditure.

The accusations involve the misuse of over R100,000 in state funds for a trip to Cape Town.

It is alleged that MEC Dibolelo Mance used taxpayer money to fund a trip for three people, with over R30,000 spent on flights and more than R34,000 on accommodation. The trip included Mance, her chief, and her staff driver.

EFF provincial chairperson Mapheule Liphoko has condemned Mance's actions, accusing her of continuously abusing government resources for the ANC and personal engagements.

“This actually falls within the scope of the ANC leaders: This is who they are; this is their character; and this is what they do with the public purse. Every time they are trusted with public funds, this is what they do. They are thugs, they are thieves, they have stolen for a long time from our people. Based on this fruitless expenditure, we could not deliver services as the provincial government,” he slammed.

Liphoko called on Mathae to implement consequence management, insisting that Mance should repay the funds from her own pocket and face disciplinary action.

“The Premier must see what type of a team she has given to our people. She has entrusted these types of people to deliver services to our people, but clearly, they cannot. They can’t think of anything, they can’t think of the people, they only think about themselves,” he added.

Liphoko further alleged that Mance has been involved in appointment scandals. He pointed to her role in the irregular appointment of the Director of Youth at the Department of Social Development.

The call for action against Mance comes amid broader concerns about financial mismanagement within the Free State government. Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka recently recommended Mathae to take immediate action against Free State Director General Kopung Ralikontsane. The recommendation follows revelations that R5.9 million was spent on the funeral of the late Education MEC Tate Makgoe and his protector, Vuyo Mdi. Investigations revealed that the procurement process violated constitutional and legislative standards, including the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

OFM News contacted the office of the MEC for comments and is awaiting a response.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg