The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Setsoto has submitted questions to the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Jabu Mbalula, regarding the condition and progress of maintenance on the crucial Clocolan-Marquard road.
Setsoto local municipality councillor Jose Coetsee said they had reported on 22 May 2025 that, according to the Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, construction on the Clocolan–Marquard road was scheduled to commence on 01 June 2025.
The DA committed to closely monitoring the implementation and progress of this crucial road maintenance project to ensure that it is executed to the required standards and within the agreed timeframes.
However, on 9 June 2025, during an oversight visit by me, along with Members of the Legislature, Mrs Dulandi Leech and Mr Jafta Mokoena, it was found that no construction had commenced.
The site office was closed, no workers were present, and there was a concerning absence of construction equipment and materials.
The DA has since learnt that the appointed contractor has reportedly failed to meet lease payment obligations for the premises housing the site office. Furthermore, the contractor has not secured an electrical connection for the site, raising further concerns about the readiness to begin work.
While no official explanation has been provided, it has come to the DA’s attention that several other infrastructure projects across the Free State appear to be experiencing similar delays, possibly due to financial constraints. However, this has not been confirmed, and the DA will continue to thoroughly investigate the matter.
We have also received numerous complaints from residents and local businesses regarding the condition of the Clocolan–Marquard road and the negative impact it has on the community. The DA remains committed to monitoring the situation and will escalate the matter to the Provincial Government and relevant portfolio committees to demand transparency and accountability.
We will continue to update the community with verified information as it becomes available. We call on the Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport to provide clarity on the reasons for the delay and to ensure that this vital infrastructure project is not left in limbo.