The EFF in the Free State has voiced strong criticism of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), describing it as degrading to people.

The criticism came after Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha Mathae, highlighted the EPWP’s achievements, stating that the programme had surpassed its five-year target by creating 293,265 jobs, well above the projected 262,000.

However, EFF provincial chairperson, Mapheule Liphoko, expressed discontent with the programme’s outcomes. He criticised the EPWP for what he described as degrading conditions in terms of salary and structural quality. Liphoko argued that the focus should be on creating decent, sustainable jobs rather than temporary, low-paying ones.

He suggested that the province should establish state-owned enterprises in key sectors like construction, pharmaceuticals, and mining to generate better employment opportunities.

“This is what you give to our people? We want decent jobs and those jobs can be created. For them to be created you need to register some state-owned companies. You must never allow Cronjé to run around here, you must register a state-owned company which builds roads, Premier. 

“We must have pharmaceutical companies to employ our people. These companies must come home, we must have cement and brick-laying companies so that we can build roads without any problems. People come here to mine and we allow it. This is private, when that can be used as a state opportunity,” he said.

Liphoko’s comments come against the backdrop of growing frustration with unemployment which is worsening in the country.

The latest statistics for the second quarter of 2024, taken from April to June, reveal a concerning rise in the official unemployment rate to 33.5%, up from 32.9% in the previous quarter, and a full percentage point higher than the same period last year. This translates to approximately 8.3 million South Africans currently out of work, highlighting the severity of the unemployment crisis.

‘Some opposition leaders refuse to acknowledge the ANC’s significant progress’

In her response, Mathae hit back on the issue of *Johan Cronjé, which has been raised several times by members of the EFF, insinuating that the provincial government has benefited from business while people continue to suffer. Mathae said the people keep bringing up Cronjé’s name because they have knocked at his door and he rejected them. She accused the EFF of extortion.

“I also want to extend my deepest gratitude towards those speakers who have participated in this debate, including those who have particularly contributed to the robust exchange of ideas. Even when some of the voices are raised against the progress we are making towards the achievement of the national democratic society and the resilience of our progress. 

“However, it is disappointing that some leaders in the opposition benches continue to refuse and acknowledge the significant progress the ANC government is making in improving the lives of the people,” she said.

Mathae reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to addressing unemployment and improving living standards, emphasising efforts in agriculture, mining, and support for small-scale farmers. She noted plans to prioritise high-value crop production, expand Agri Parks Programmes, and remove barriers in the mining sector to boost economic activity.

*Johannes Cronjé was thrust into the media spotlight in 2016 when amaBhungane reported that the Free State businessman was implicated in the buying of a high-tech bugging device called a Verint Engage PI2 Tactical location System. The spying machine, also known as a “grabber”, is an Israeli device that can simultaneously intercept and record hundreds of phone calls and SMSes.

As amaBhungane reported, Cronjé was politically trusted (or indebted) to advance about R15m to finance the acquisition of the grabber for the benefit of “national security” – though the true purpose appears to have been to obtain an advantage in the ANC’s factional battles. The grabber was allegedly imported illegally and Cronje was arrested with three others in July 2015 – but, perhaps unsurprisingly, the case has gone nowhere.

Down Touch Investments, owned by Cronjé, allegedly scored four road contracts worth R295 million. When amaBhungane approached Cronjé about his Free State road contracts, he laughed off allegations of political connections.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg