Minister Sihle Zikalala tackles unfinished and blocked infrastructure projects in the Free State Province.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Sihle Zikalala, will on Thursday, 08 June 2023, visit the Free State Province to respond and conduct inspections on unfinished and blocked projects.

The projects to be visited, among others, include the Parys correctional facility and Park Road police stations that ought to have been completed by now but remain incomplete while monies have already been spent.

Minister Zikalala has prioritised unblocking of blocked projects and driving accountability as part of efforts to turn around the public works and infrastructure sector and respond to service delivery needs.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is a cog in the delivery of services in South Africa as it builds and delivers infrastructure from which all departments render services to the citizens. The blocked construction of correctional facilities and police stations have a negative impact on the national priority of creating safer communities and fighting a winnable war against crime.

Minister Zikalala will be joined by the MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in the Free State, Ms. Dibolelo Mance.

Members of the media are invited to cover and receive an update on these projects.

Details

Date: 08 June 2023

1st Venue: Parys correctional facility

Time: 10h00

Reports indicate that this facility was allocated R252 million but remains incomplete despite a significant amount of this budget having already been spent.

2nd Venue: SAPS Park Road Police Station, Bloemfontein

Date: 08 June 2023

Time: In the Afternoon (exact time TBC)

The Minister will investigate construction delays which have led to the cost ballooning while the infrastructure is incomplete. The police station is in the top 30 of the stations identified as having the highest crime rate in the country.

Source: Government of South Africa