The EFF, DA, and FF Plus accused Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae of presiding over a failing administration plagued by poor service delivery, factionalism, and questionable appointments.

They compared her administration to the controversial tenure of former Premier Ace Magashule, which was marked by corruption and maladministration.

During an interview with OFM News, EFF Provincial Secretary-General Bosanku Mosimanga argued the Free State has regressed under Letsoha-Mathae’s leadership. He accused her of giving residents “false hope” during her early visits to hospitals, where she promised swift resolutions to long-standing issues.

“Health workers raised concerns, including a 40% staffing rate, but those issues remain unresolved,” said Mosimanga. “Letsoha-Mathae promised action within 100 days, but nothing has changed.”

He also criticised her redeployment of heads of departments within provincial structures, which he claimed were based on factional loyalty rather than competence.

“You appoint someone accused of misappropriating R2.3 million to lead Social Housing, a department already grappling with a R600 million underspending issue. These decisions send a wrong message.”

He attributed the province’s challenges to ANC factionalism, likening it to the 1990s conflict between Terror Lekota and Magashule, with factions undermining governance to serve their interests.

DA Free State leader Roy Jankielsohn said Letsoha-Mathae created a false sense of optimism when she assumed office earlier this year. “Allegations of corruption, administrative court battles involving HODs, and deteriorating service delivery define her leadership.”

He highlighted ongoing failures to address unemployment, infrastructure backlogs, and governance issues, asserting that her administration has not lived up to its promises.

The premier’s pledge during her inaugural address that “it would not be business as usual” has not materialised, said FF Plus MPL Armand Cloete. “Contractors failing to deliver critical infrastructure projects remain untouched, and the redeployment of five HODs has caused chaos instead of stability.”

Letsoha-Mathae has been implicated in allegations of corruption involving her Mangaung Speaker husband, Lawrence Mathae. Mosimanga claimed her leadership is deeply influenced by ANC factional politics, which undermines any genuine efforts at governance.

‘Residents remain the biggest losers’

“Service delivery challenges in the province are viewed through factional lenses. Even Letsoha-Mathae’s appointment was a product of these factional battles,” he said.

High youth unemployment rate and ongoing service delivery failures cause residents to remain the biggest losers whilst government continues with mismanaged and divided administration.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh