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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State has conducted oversight of various testing centres across the province, revealing alarming neglect by the Free State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, creating a dire need for immediate attention.

Among these structures is the Fouriesburg testing office, constructed with substandard materials and a roof made of asbestos, posing a significant danger to both staff and customers.

The testing centre in Bothaville has been decommissioned due to a dysfunctional door that broke roughly 18 months ago. This facility, equipped for testing vehicle brakes, remains unused, leading to concerns about machinery certifications expiring. The weigh bridge in Bothaville stands as a white elephant, allowing overloaded trucks to pass by, causing a loss of revenue for an already struggling department.

The Viljoenskroon testing centre was irreparably damaged by the wind in October 2022. Despite this, the department has taken no action to ensure a suitable replacement is built for Viljoenskroon and the surrounding community. The currently used building offices are unmaintained, with leaks causing problems during rain.

Throughout the Free State, testing centre staffing is a significant concern for the DA, as none of these centres have sufficient staff to maintain their grounds.

These dysfunctional testing centres have a profound impact on local economies and job creation in the Free State, contributing to the 70,000 job losses in one year as indicated by StatsSA. The neglect of these testing centres directly threatens the lives and livelihoods of road users and Free State residents.

We will pressure the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to urgently repair these centres, safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of road users and Free State residents alike.

The DA reaffirms its commitment to service delivery and encourages residents to register, actively participating in saving the Free State. We are dedicated to bringing about positive change across the province and, therefore, urge all residents to register to vote in the 2024 National and Provincial Government elections.

Issued by Jafta Mokoena MPL - DA Spokesperson on Public Works and Infrastructure Free State Provincial Legislature