Former Premier Sefora Ntombela has been found guilty of misusing state resources for political gain during the 2022 ANC Letsema campaign. The verdict comes after a formal complaint was lodged by Free State DA leader Dr Roy Jankielsohn regarding the improper handover of a house during the campaign launch in Bloemfontein.

In her report, Gcaleka confirmed Ntombela, in collaboration with officials from the Department of Human Settlements, facilitated the improper allocation of the Hillside View house to Lerato Ntsaku on 23 April 2022, although she was an approved beneficiary for a house in Freedom Square.

Ntsako had no entitlement to the Hillside View property, which was designated for a different individual, Ms. Burgers.

Gcaleka pointed out that the handover of the Hillside View house, which had been funded by the Free State Department of Human Settlements, took place during the Letsema Campaign, a political event. This act of conflating state functions with party political interests was in clear violation of constitutional guidelines. 

The handover, promoted on ANC Free State’s social media platforms, constituted a breach of sections 136(2)(b) and 195(1)(a) and (f) of the South African Constitution, and contravened Paragraph 5 of the Public Protector's Policy on the Use of State Resources.

Gcaleka said while Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa was present at the Letsema campaign launch and handed over the house to Ntsaku, there was no evidence that he had any knowledge of the house being funded by state resources.

According to Gcaleka, Ramaphosa was under the impression that he was participating in a symbolic gesture, handing over a house funded by a private donor, and was not involved in any improper use of state resources for ANC political purposes.

Despite this, Gcaleka found that Ntombela’s actions, which involved using the event to advance the ANC’s political interests, were in direct breach of her duties and responsibilities as a public official. Ntombela has since left her position as Premier of the Free State, which leaves any remedial action less consequential, according to the Public Protector.

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka. Photo: ActionSA

While the report absolved Ramaphosa of direct responsibility for the misuse of state resources, Gcaleka called on him to take note of the findings and notices dated 11 December 2024, for the then Acting Premier Jabu Mbalula and Legislature Speaker Mxolisi Dukwana to ensure the report is presented to the Provincial Legislature for further deliberation within 90 days. 

Additionally, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Free State, Saki Mokoena has been tasked with ensuring the incorrect allocation of the Hillside View House to Ntsaku is rectified within 90 days since the date of the notice.

HOD of Human Settlements in the Free State Joe Phahlo has been instructed to amend the records to reflect the rightful beneficiary of the Hillside View House, in line with the Deed Registries Act, 1937. Phahlo was also been ordered to submit an action plan to the Public Protector within 30 days to address these irregularities.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg