The Red Berets, DA and ActionSA all laid charges against Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, her Mangaung Metro Speaker husband Laurence Mathae, Provincial Legislature Speaker Mxolisi Dukwana, and New Beginnings Project CEO Patrick Phuti during the past weeks.

However, the march on Friday (25/10) was prompted by the dismissal of more than 1,300 nursing assistants across the province, reportedly initiated by Letsoha-Mathae. Those whose contracts had not been renewed visited the EFF offices in Bloemfontein to ask for intervention.

The health department had terminated the contracts of 1,340 officials who were hired to curb the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, but were later integrated elsewhere in the department, health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi confirmed.

The health department had terminated the contracts of 1,340 officials. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

“The Department of Health has done all it can over the years to extend the lifespan of Covid-19 contracts by … creating permanent employment opportunities where these Covid-19 contract workers can be encouraged to apply for employment opportunities. The department has advertised vacant positions and encouraged (them) to apply.”

Protesters called for the Free State premier’s resignation. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Recently, several state employees including long-serving officials, some of whom have been in the office of the premier for over a decade and a half, were also dismissed. Some of them alleged Letsoha-Mathae was paving the way for “her own people”.

This is a developing story.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg