Avoiding the road to ruin: Businesses taking over government’s job

In the Free State, local businesses are stepping up to fill the gaps left by failing municipal services, according to business leaders interviewed by The Citizen. Welkom Business Forum chairperson Jakes Jooste revealed that his company, along with several others, has taken on the responsibility of repairing potholes and maintaining areas considered council property.

The forum claims around 500 businesses help fill these gaps where the municipality falls short. Jooste also noted that some members of the forum are now employing private companies to read meters due to problems with the municipality's meter-reading and billing system.

The sewage crisis in Welkom has also seen local businesses step in to help. Matjhabeng Local Municipality has declared the issue a disaster and appealed for national government intervention. However, business has taken matters into its own hands, with local contractors and other businesses working to restore proper sewage flow.

In Bloemfontein, private companies are also stepping up to repair roads and fill potholes. DA councillor Tjaart Van der Walt told The Citizen that businesses are filling thousands of potholes in Mangaung as part of their corporate social responsibility. Some neighbourhood associations have even taken on the task of fixing their own roads.

In the eastern part of the Free State, the Mafube business forum has also stepped up to help the municipality with its duties. Business forum founder Hans Pretorius said businesses help by writing street name signs and filling potholes, with a man removing refuse for a fee per month. The All-National Congress (ANC) in the Free State acknowledged the province's challenges and stated that the party has taken political and administrative steps to change things.