MEC Mokoena
By Natalie Naidoo
Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Mr Saki Mokoena, has officially rectified the wrongful allocation of a government-funded RDP house in Hillside View, Bloemfontein, following a damning Public Protector report that exposed political misuse of state resources during an ANC campaign in 2022.
In a media statement issued on 9 July 2025, departmental spokesperson Zimasa Mbewu confirmed that MEC Mokoena will oversee the formal handover of the Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses to the rightful beneficiaries on Wednesday, 10 July 2025, at 11:00 at 60775 Hillside View, Bloemfontein.
The corrective action follows the Public Protector’s remedial directive, which came after a complaint filed by Democratic Alliance (DA) Free State leader, Dr Roy Jankielsohn, on 21 July 2022. The complaint accused the African National Congress (ANC) of abusing state resources during its Letsema Campaign on 23 April 2022. According to the report, a house belonging to Ms Burgess (now deceased) was improperly allocated to Ms Lucia Ntsaku during the ANC’s campaign event, which was attended by then Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Public Protector’s Findings: Abuse of State for Political Gain
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka investigated the incident and concluded that the complaint was substantiated. She found that the Free State Department of Human Settlements had indeed funded the house handed over during the campaign, despite claims it was donated by a private sponsor. Gcaleka’s report confirmed that the house was officially approved for a different beneficiary—the Burgess estate—and that the political handover to Ms Ntsaku was improper and unlawful.
The Public Protector emphasised that any official handover of government-funded housing should occur under the auspices of the provincial government and not during political events. Gcaleka found that Ntombela’s actions violated the Constitution, the November 2016 Free State policy on the separation of state and party activities, and constituted “maladministration” in terms of the Public Protector Act.
“The handing over of the keys to the Hillside View house… was paid for by the Free State Department of Human Settlements during the Letsema campaign, marketed on ANC Free State social media and media platforms to advance the interests of the ANC, and resulted in a conflation between state and party,” Gcaleka stated in her report.
Although Ramaphosa was present at the event and handed over the house keys, the Public Protector cleared him of any wrongdoing. She noted that he had been invited by Ntombela only on the morning of the campaign launch and was under the impression that the house was sponsored by a private donor, not state-funded.
Restoration of Ownership and Compliance with Deed Laws
In compliance with the Public Protector’s remedial directive, the Free State Department of Human Settlements has now updated the title deed to reflect the rightful beneficiaries of the Burgess estate. This correction was carried out in accordance with the Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987 and Section 16 of the Deed Registries Act, 1937, which governs ownership and inheritance of immovable property.
The department has further ensured that Ms Ntsaku, who was not the subject of any recommendation in the Public Protector’s report, has been allocated an alternative house within the same Hillside View area, thereby avoiding further displacement or social harm.
Premier and MEC Given Deadlines for Full Implementation
Current Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae was directed to table the Public Protector’s report before the provincial legislature within three months, to ensure Members of the Executive Council (MECs) are sensitised to their legal obligations in accordance with the Constitution and public policy.
Meanwhile, MEC Mokoena was instructed to oversee the rectification of the housing error. In terms of the Housing Act, he was given three months to ensure that Advocate Tumelo Phahlo, the current head of the provincial Human Settlements Department, completes the necessary procedural and legal processes to restore the rightful ownership. Phahlo has an additional four months to ensure full compliance with the Deed Registries Act, as agreed with Gcaleka’s investigation team during a meeting held in February 2025.
Handover Ceremony Details
The department has invited members of the media to witness the official handover ceremony of the rectified housing allocations. The event will take place at 11:00 on 10 July 2025 at 60775 Hillside View, Bloemfontein. The department views this event not only as a legal and procedural milestone but also as a public demonstration of accountability and commitment to transparency in the use of state resources.
Speaking on the matter, departmental spokesperson Zimasa Mbewu said, “The department has assisted the beneficiaries of the Burgess estate to occupy the house in line with legal provisions. Whilst no recommendation was made regarding Ms Ntsaku, the department has ensured that she is allocated a house in Hillside View.”
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