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FS Finance MEC to release report on the controversial Ramkraal development

───   KATLEHO MORAPELA 12:42 Thu, 09 Nov 2017

FS Finance MEC to release report on the controversial Ramkraal development | News Article
Photo: Josca Human

An investigative report on the state of the Old Ramkraal Prison in Bloemfontein can be expected by the end of this month.


This is according to the MEC of the Free State Treasury, Elzabe Rockman. The heritage site sparked controversy and made headlines when opposition parties in the Free State Legislature demanded answers as to where the R120 million allegedly spent on this dilapidated site was applied. Rockman told OFM News that they are currently investigating a number of departments in the province, which includes the Department of Public Works and the Provincial Legislature. She says a detailed report on this matter is due to be released soon.

Opposition parties in the Provincial Legislature have since described the state of heritage sites in the province as appalling. About two months ago, after conducting an oversight visit to the Old Ramkraal Prison, the EFF, DA, and Freedom Front Plus made a call for investigations into where the money that was allocated to revamp these sites is and for the project to be fast-tracked.

The Freedom Front Plus’ Wouter Wessels previously told OFM News that heritage sites in the province are completely disregarded and should this report not give a clear indication of where the money was spent, they will lay criminal charges and take the matter up with the Public Protector.

Wessels said the permit of the Old Ramkraal Prison, the proposed site for the development of the new Free State Provincial Legislature Complex, provided that there must be a fence and 24-hour security for the premises, however, until now this is not the case.

He added that the infrastructure of the building remains dilapidated, vandalised and neglected.

Wessels also added that the Bloemfontein City Hall and the house of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in Brandfort are examples of fruitless expenditure by the provincial government.

The DA’s Roy Jankielsohn and EFF’s Kgotso Morapela added that money is not spent accordingly on projects to enrich communities. They said as members of the opposition parties they will not rest until provincial leaders are held accountable.


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