Mosa Masimene, the Head of the Free State Department of Human Settlements
By Thabo Mosia
Mosa Masimene, recently reinstated as Head of the Free State Department of Human Settlements following a court order, has strongly denied allegations circulating on social media about alleged overpayments to contractors. These accusations, which Masimene describes as “malicious and misleading,” have surfaced amid a backdrop of her legal battle with the Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae to secure her reinstatement. Masimene insists that her department adheres to stringent payment protocols, aligning every disbursement with verified project milestones.
Background: Masimene’s Legal Battle and Reinstatement
Mosa Masimene’s recent return to her position was mandated by the Free State High Court, which ordered Premier Letsoha-Mathae to reinstate her after she was controversially removed from office. This legal victory underscores Masimene’s resolve in standing up to political pressures and reaffirms her commitment to upholding integrity within the department. The court’s ruling in her favour reflects the judiciary’s support for transparency and due process, which Masimene has consistently advocated for in her role.
The High Court decision has bolstered Masimene’s position within the provincial government, but it has also seemingly intensified public scrutiny, as evidenced by the recent social media allegations. The timing of these claims has raised questions about possible motives to discredit her leadership.
The Social Media Allegations:
Patricia Morgan-Mashale, a social media user, posted claims suggesting that contractors were paid exorbitant amounts for incomplete or nonexistent work. Head of Department Mosa Masimene has now issued a strong rebuttal, refuting each claim with detailed explanations and documentation. Masimene insists that the allegations are baseless and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the department.
Patricia Morgan-Mashale alleged in her social media posts that the Free State Department of Human Settlements, under the leadership of Masimene, had engaged in fraudulent practices. Her accusations include:
• A housing project allegedly paid R560 million to construct 2,000 houses, but reportedly only 200 houses were built.
• A payment of R63 million purportedly made to complete the Dark/Silver City housing complex without visible work progress.
• A payment of R259 million allegedly paid for the Community Residential Units in Block G-Thabong, which was reportedly incomplete.
Morgan-Mashale claims to have documentation of these transactions and has vowed to hand over her evidence to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for further investigation. Her posts, which have been widely circulated, prompted concern among Free State residents and raised questions about the department’s handling of public funds.
Mosa Masimene’s Official Statement:
In response, Mosa Masimene released an official statement refuting each allegation in detail. Here are the department’s responses to the specific claims:
• Allegation 1: “The Department paid Raubex Building a full contract amount of over R100 million, but no work has been completed.”
Refutation: According to Masimene, this claim is “patently false.” She clarified that only R53,078,121.51 has been paid to Raubex Building thus far, strictly based on verified progress milestones. Each payment aligns with contractual terms and reflects the work completed, as confirmed by the department’s inspection teams.
• Allegation 2: “Ruwacon was paid over R60 million for the Dark and Silver City Bottom Site, with no corresponding work progress.”
Refutation: Masimene stated that the department paid Ruwacon R28,200,420.43, which is proportionate to the work completed and certified at the Dark and Silver City Bottom Site. She emphasized that the payment followed strict verification protocols, and the amount alleged on social media is “baseless and exaggerated.”
• Allegation 3: “An additional R50 million was paid to Ruwacon for the Dark and Silver City Top Site with zero visible progress.”
Refutation: Masimene denounced this claim as another fabrication. She explained that R19,259,918.53 was paid to Ruwacon for verified work at the Dark and Silver City Top Site. All payments were approved through rigorous inspection processes, ensuring alignment with the department’s protocols for transparency.
• Allegation 4: “The 2,000 houses project under Vharanani was fully paid out at over R560 million, with little to no progress observed.”
Refutation: Masimene confirmed that this assertion is entirely inaccurate. For the 2,000 houses project, only R122,189,104.36 has been paid to Vharanani. She noted that Vharanani is actively engaged in the construction phase, with ongoing work across multiple sites. Payments are strictly tied to progress milestones, and any suggestion of a full payment is misleading.
Commitment to Transparency and Accountability:
Masimene’s statement also highlighted the department’s robust system of checks and balances to prevent any misappropriation of funds. According to her, the Free State Department of Human Settlements is committed to three main pillars in managing project funds:
1. Progress-Based Payments: Payments to contractors are made strictly based on certified work completed and documented progress milestones.
2. Independent Verification: All work undergoes thorough inspection and validation by independent auditors to ensure it meets the required standards.
3. Strict Compliance: The department adheres to all contractual obligations and provincial and national development goals, ensuring transparency at every step.
Masimene urged the public to disregard the “malicious and misleading” social media posts and advised them to rely on official communication channels for accurate information about the department’s projects.
Reaction from Stakeholders:
The allegations and subsequent response have prompted reactions from various stakeholders. Supporters within the department and community members have come forward to vouch for Masimene’s integrity. Several officials in the Free State government expressed their support for her leadership and reiterated the department’s commitment to transparency..
Implications for Free State Housing Projects:
While these allegations have cast a temporary shadow over the Free State Department of Human Settlements, the department remains focused on its housing delivery goals. Masimene warned that misinformation can disrupt public trust and delay essential projects. The department continues to work diligently to meet housing demands in the Free State and plans to strengthen public awareness initiatives to ensure residents have access to accurate information.
Public Assurance and Departmental Integrity:
In her closing remarks, Masimene reassured the public that the department will continue to uphold its values of transparency, accountability, and quality service delivery. She expressed confidence in the integrity of her team and emphasized that any further concerns should be directed to official channels for clarification. “We urge the public and all stakeholders to disregard these false allegations and to rely on official communication channels for accurate information about our department’s projects,” she said.
Download Here:
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
_______________________
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
#centralnewsza #freestate