Former MECs Thabo Meeko and Oupa Khoabane raised concerns during a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and the Office of the Premier to review the 2023/24 annual and 2024/25 second quarterly reports.

Khoabane said dismissals contradict the government’s goal of building a developmental state, calling the decision an “arrogant answer” that disregards the socio-economic challenges in the province.

“When you terminate contracts that have been running for seven to 15 years under the guise of them ending, while workers are left hungry and suffering, you undermine the very same policies you’ve adopted to build a developmental state.”

He said the government should view workers as essential to achieving its goals, not as variable costs to be cut for financial convenience. He wanted to know why the Premier’s Office took ‘unilateral’ action to terminate contracts while other departments continue with similar arrangements.

Khoabane criticised the lack of alignment between the Premier’s Office and national government policies, asking whether such actions imply provinces can independently deviate from national frameworks.

“The Premier’s Office should lead by example. Instead, it has taken a stance opposite to the expansionary economic policy designed to foster employment and development. This is not the first time we’ve raised this issue, and it’s deeply hurting that workers are treated as variables.”

Member of the Provincial Legislature in the Free State, Thabo Meeko. Photo: Screenshot

Meeko added the government must create and sustain employment, particularly in a province with high unemployment and poverty rates. He demanded a comprehensive report on the decision to be tabled in the legislature for scrutiny.

“We need to understand why the Premier’s Office made this decision. Government should be setting the example by creating jobs and stimulating the private sector to do the same. Instead, we’re shedding jobs in the very office that should inspire hope and drive development.”

Meeko stressed the symbolic and practical importance of government leadership to address unemployment, calling for greater accountability from those in charge.

The dismissals have sparked concern about job security in the province. Opposition parties have accused embattled Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae of compromising lives, especially after other government workers were recently let go. More than a thousand healthcare workers lost their jobs after their contracts also ended last month.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg