Hansard & Proceedings — ANC Free State Caucus

Plenary Debate 14 March 2026 · Sitting No. 7

Education Budget Vote Debate — Vote 5

ANC members debated the 2026/27 Education Budget Vote, raising issues of learner-teacher ratios in rural schools, scholar transport non-delivery, and the rollout of the Philly Lutaaya HIV/AIDS awareness programme in secondary schools across all five districts.

ANC Members Who Participated

Cde Mathabo Leeto Cde Toto Makume Cde Maqueen Mathae Chief Whip Oupa Khoabane

Hansard Vol. 14, pp. 312–341 · Free State Legislature, 14 Mar 2026

Key Statements — ANC Members

Cde Mathabo Leeto

"The learner-teacher ratio in Maluti and Thabo Mofutsanyana districts stands at 42:1, far above the national norm of 32:1. We call on the MEC to provide a binding plan with clear timelines to resolve this within the 2026/27 financial year."

Cde Toto Makume

"Scholar transport remains a daily emergency for more than 18 000 learners in rural communities. The department's own audit confirms 23% of contracted buses are non-operational. This is a service delivery failure and the committee will demand monthly progress reports."

Chief Whip Oupa Khoabane

"The ANC caucus supports Vote 5 with the condition that the department reports quarterly on learner performance outcomes per district. We will not accept a repeat of the 2024/25 under-spending of R147m in infrastructure."

Cde Maqueen Mathae

"The Philly Lutaaya HIV/AIDS programme must be rolled out to all secondary schools across all five districts by the end of Q2 2026. The caucus will monitor implementation through the portfolio committee."

Caucus Resolutions

Request monthly scholar transport operational reports from the MEC, tabled to PC Education by the 10th of each month.
Demand binding learner-teacher ratio reduction targets per district, submitted to the committee by 30 April 2026.
Support Education Budget Vote 5 subject to quarterly performance target accountability.
Refer HIV/AIDS programme rollout to PC Education for formal oversight and progress tracking.
MEC to account for R147m infrastructure under-spending in 2024/25 — written explanation due within 14 days.

Committee Minutes 10 March 2026 · PC Health

Portfolio Committee on Health — Oversight: NHI Implementation Readiness

The committee received a briefing from the MEC for Health on provincial readiness for NHI piloting, including the status of the digital patient registration system, clinic infrastructure backlogs, and staffing at district hospitals. The committee resolved to conduct an unannounced site visit to two hospitals before end of Q1.

ANC Members Present

Cde Zanele Sifuba Cde Vice Mahlatsi Cde Saki Mokoena

PC/Health/2026/03/10 · Free State Legislature

Agenda Items

Briefing by MEC for Health on provincial NHI readiness and implementation timeline.
Status update on the digital patient registration system — rollout progress per district.
Clinic infrastructure backlogs: comparative analysis by district and facility.
Staffing levels at district hospitals — vacancy rates and recruitment plan.
Questions from committee members on MEC presentation.

Formal Resolutions Adopted

Conduct unannounced oversight site visit to Pelonomi Regional Hospital and Bongani District Hospital before 31 March 2026.
MEC to submit a detailed digital registration system implementation plan, with milestones, by 20 March 2026.
Department to provide a district-by-district clinic infrastructure backlog report within 14 days of this meeting.
Committee to receive quarterly NHI readiness update briefings from the MEC throughout 2026.
All hospital CEO vacancies to be filled or acting appointments confirmed within 30 days — report to committee.

Questions & Answers 5 March 2026 · Sitting No. 5

Oral Questions to MEC for Human Settlements — Housing Delivery Backlogs

ANC MPLs submitted seven oral questions to the MEC for Human Settlements covering progress on the eradication of informal settlements in Mangaung, the timeline for outstanding RDP allocations in Botshabelo, and the status of the Heidedal phase-three housing development. The MEC responded to five of the seven questions; two were deferred.

Questions Filed By

Cde Mxolisi Dukoana Cde Dibolelo Mance Cde Nolitha Ndungane

Hansard Vol. 14, pp. 201–228 · Q&A Session No. 5

Questions & MEC Responses

MPL	Question	MEC Response
Cde Mxolisi Dukoana	Progress on eradication of informal settlements in Mangaung	1 200 units under construction; 3 500 pending procurement — target completion December 2026
Cde Dibolelo Mance	Timeline for outstanding RDP allocations in Botshabelo	874 outstanding allocations to be processed by June 2026; beneficiary list to be published on department website
Cde Nolitha Ndungane	Status of Heidedal phase-three housing development	Site establishment complete; contractor appointed; first units expected Q3 2026
Cde Mxolisi Dukoana	Contractor payment backlog for informal settlement upgrading	MEC confirmed R45m backlog — payment schedule submitted; backlog to be cleared by 28 February 2026
Cde Dibolelo Mance	Number of households on housing waiting list, by district	Official waiting list tabled — 94 000 households province-wide across all five districts

Deferred (2 questions): Q6 — Regularisation of unlawful occupiers in Thabo Mofutsanyana; Q7 — Land availability for Xhariep housing programme. Both deferred to next Q&A session pending departmental land audit.

Voting Record 28 February 2026 · Sitting No. 4

Division: Free State Health Infrastructure Investment Bill — Second Reading

The House voted on the second reading of the Free State Health Infrastructure Investment Bill. The ANC caucus voted in favour as a bloc. The bill passed with a comfortable majority and proceeds to the President's office for assent.

Voting Outcome

54 In Favour

18 Against

3 Abstained

Bill Passed ✓

Division No. 04/2026 · Hansard Vol. 14, p. 188

Bill Details

Full title: Free State Health Infrastructure Investment Bill [B2-2026]
Purpose: Authorise R1.4 billion infrastructure programme for six district hospitals over three years (2026–2028)
Sponsors: MEC for Health, with full ANC caucus support
Next step: Bill proceeds to the President's office for assent following successful second reading

ANC Caucus Member Votes — All In Favour

Member	Role	Vote
Cde Mathabo Leeto	MPL	In Favour
Cde Toto Makume	MPL	In Favour
Cde Maqueen Mathae	MPL	In Favour
Chief Whip Oupa Khoabane	Chief Whip	In Favour
Cde Zanele Sifuba	MPL	In Favour
Cde Vice Mahlatsi	MPL	In Favour
Cde Saki Mokoena	MPL	In Favour
Cde Mxolisi Dukoana	MPL	In Favour
Cde Dibolelo Mance	MPL	In Favour
Cde Nolitha Ndungane	MPL	In Favour
Cde Nthabiseng Garekoe	MPL	In Favour
Cde Jabu Mbalula	MPL	In Favour
Cde Elsabe Rockman	MPL	In Favour
Cde Mamiki Maboya	MPL	In Favour
Cde Zama Sigwebela	MPL	In Favour
Cde Thabo Meeko	MPL	In Favour

Committee Minutes 20 February 2026 · PC Finance

Portfolio Committee on Finance — 2026/27 MTEF Deliberations

The Finance Committee reviewed departmental MTEF submissions and raised concerns about under-spending patterns in Human Settlements and Agriculture. The committee agreed to recommend conditional approval for the Education and Health budgets, subject to submission of credible performance targets by 15 March 2026.

ANC Members Present

Cde Nthabiseng Garekoe Cde Jabu Mbalula Cde Elsabe Rockman

PC/Finance/2026/02/20 · Free State Legislature

MTEF Budget Recommendations by Department

Department	Committee Recommendation	Condition
Education	Conditional Approval	Submit credible performance targets by 15 March 2026
Health	Conditional Approval	Submit credible performance targets by 15 March 2026
Human Settlements	Under-spending Flagged	Written explanation for under-spending; revised delivery plan required within 10 days
Agriculture	Under-spending Flagged	Submit credible drought response budget and delivery plan by 28 February 2026

Formal Resolutions Adopted

Education and Health budgets conditionally approved — credible performance targets must be submitted by 15 March 2026.
Departments flagged for under-spending must submit written explanations to the committee within 10 working days.
Finance Committee to conduct quarterly budget implementation reviews for all departments throughout 2026/27.
Agriculture and Human Settlements to be called for a special briefing before the end of February 2026.
Committee to formally recommend Treasury apply conditional disbursements to flagged departments pending corrective plans.

Plenary Debate 14 February 2026 · Sitting No. 2

Debate on the State of the Province Address — Premier's Response

The ANC caucus participated in the SOPA debate, with members affirming the Premier's commitments on economic recovery, water infrastructure, and crime reduction. The Chief Whip delivered the caucus's formal response on behalf of all 16 ANC MPLs, endorsing the priorities outlined and calling for monthly progress reports to the relevant committees.

ANC Members Who Participated

Chief Whip Oupa Khoabane Cde Mamiki Maboya Cde Nolitha Ndungane Cde Mxolisi Dukoana Cde Zama Sigwebela

Hansard Vol. 14, pp. 44–112 · SOPA Debate, 14 Feb 2026

Key Statements — ANC Members

Chief Whip Oupa Khoabane — Caucus Response

"The ANC caucus endorses the Premier's five priority areas: economic recovery, water infrastructure, crime reduction, education quality, and healthcare access. We commit to holding every MEC accountable for delivery against these commitments through our portfolio committee work."

Cde Mamiki Maboya

"On water infrastructure — the Sedibeng Water Board failures in Fezile Dabi cannot continue. We call for the establishment of a dedicated water task team reporting directly to the Premier's office, with quarterly public progress reports."

Cde Nolitha Ndungane

"The Premier's commitment to reducing the provincial unemployment rate from 38% to 32% by 2028 is achievable — but only if the department of Economic Development implements the Integrated Economic Recovery Plan with measurable milestones and public reporting."

Cde Zama Sigwebela

"We support the prioritisation of 50 additional police posts in Mangaung and Lejweleputswa. The ANC caucus will monitor SAPS deployment progress through quarterly committee briefings and will not accept delays."

Caucus Formal Response — Monthly Reports Requested

Water infrastructure delivery per district — monthly report to PC Cooperative Governance & Public Works.
Job creation against IERP milestones — monthly report to PC Economic Development.
School infrastructure completion progress — monthly report to PC Education.
SAPS deployment against the 50-post commitment — quarterly briefing to PC Safety & Security.
Healthcare access improvements per district — quarterly progress dashboard to PC Health.

Questions & Answers 3 December 2025 · Written Questions Batch 11

Written Questions to MEC for Agriculture — Drought Response & Food Security

ANC MPLs submitted a consolidated written questions batch to the MEC for Agriculture covering the provincial drought disaster declaration status, the rollout of the R45m emergency farmer support fund, and progress on borehole rehabilitation in Xhariep. The MEC's written responses were tabled on 20 December 2025.

Questions Filed By

Cde Nthabiseng Garekoe Cde Elsabe Rockman

WQ Batch 11/2025 · Free State Legislature

Questions & MEC Written Replies (tabled 20 December 2025)

MPL	Question	MEC Written Reply
Cde Nthabiseng Garekoe	Status of provincial drought disaster declaration	Declaration approved 15 Nov 2025 — submitted to NDMC; national co-declaration expected Q1 2026
Cde Elsabe Rockman	Rollout of R45m emergency farmer support fund	1 247 farmers registered; R18.6m disbursed; remaining R26.4m to be disbursed by 31 Jan 2026
Cde Nthabiseng Garekoe	Progress on borehole rehabilitation in Xhariep	34 boreholes assessed; 18 rehabilitated; 16 in progress — completion target 28 February 2026
Cde Elsabe Rockman	Impact of drought on livestock in southern Free State	Estimated 12 000 livestock lost; department providing emergency fodder to 890 farmers in Xhariep district
Cde Nthabiseng Garekoe	Co-ordination with DAFF on national drought response	MoU with DAFF signed 1 Dec 2025; joint operations centre established in Springfontein

Voting Record 12 November 2025 · Sitting No. 28

Division: Free State Appropriations Amendment Bill [B4-2025]

The House voted on the Free State Appropriations Amendment Bill to authorise the adjusted budget for 2025/26. The ANC caucus supported the bill. The adjustment included a R280m reallocation from under-spending departments to Health and Infrastructure.

Voting Outcome

51 In Favour

22 Against

2 Abstained

Bill Passed ✓

Division No. 28/2025 · Hansard Vol. 13, p. 944

Bill Details & Reallocation

Full title: Free State Appropriations Amendment Bill [B4-2025]
Purpose: Authorise the 2025/26 adjusted budget — total reallocation of R280m from under-spending departments.
Health (+R180m): Emergency ward upgrades at four district hospitals and critical medicine stockpile replenishment.
Infrastructure (+R100m): Road rehabilitation in Lejweleputswa and stormwater repairs in Mangaung.

ANC Caucus Member Votes — All In Favour

Member	Role	Vote
Cde Mathabo Leeto	MPL	In Favour
Cde Toto Makume	MPL	In Favour
Cde Maqueen Mathae	MPL	In Favour
Chief Whip Oupa Khoabane	Chief Whip	In Favour
Cde Zanele Sifuba	MPL	In Favour
Cde Vice Mahlatsi	MPL	In Favour
Cde Saki Mokoena	MPL	In Favour
Cde Mxolisi Dukoana	MPL	In Favour
Cde Dibolelo Mance	MPL	In Favour
Cde Nolitha Ndungane	MPL	In Favour
Cde Nthabiseng Garekoe	MPL	In Favour
Cde Jabu Mbalula	MPL	In Favour
Cde Elsabe Rockman	MPL	In Favour
Cde Mamiki Maboya	MPL	In Favour
Cde Zama Sigwebela	MPL	In Favour
Cde Thabo Meeko	MPL	In Favour

Committee Minutes 5 November 2025 · PC Social Development

Portfolio Committee on Social Development — Site Visit Report: Elderly Care Facilities, Xhariep

Following the October 2025 unannounced oversight visit, the committee formally noted findings of substandard conditions in three state-funded elderly care facilities. The committee resolved to instruct the department to submit a corrective action plan within 21 days and to schedule a follow-up visit in Q1 2026.

ANC Members Present

Cde Elsabe Rockman Cde Jabu Mbalula Cde Nthabiseng Garekoe

PC/SocDev/2025/11/05 · Free State Legislature

Site Visit Findings — October 2025 Unannounced Oversight

Facility	Location	Findings
Facility A	Trompsburg, Xhariep	Meals below required nutritional standards; 3 of 8 care workers unregistered with the SACSSP
Facility B	Springfontein, Xhariep	Structural deficiencies in two dormitory wings; no emergency evacuation plan in place
Facility C	Philippolis, Xhariep	Medication storage non-compliant with pharmacy regulations; resident care records incomplete for 11 of 34 residents

Formal Resolutions & Action Items

MEC to submit a corrective action plan within 21 days (due by 26 November 2025) addressing all findings at all three facilities.
Department to conduct a full care worker registration audit across the three facilities within 14 days; findings reported to committee.
Follow-up unannounced oversight visit to be scheduled for Q1 2026 (January/February) — committee to receive no advance notice protocol.
Facilities that fail to meet the corrective action plan targets to be referred to the MEC for Emergency Intervention procedures.
Committee to obtain a legal opinion on deregistration and sanction procedures for persistently non-compliant facilities.

Plenary Debate 22 August 2025 · Sitting No. 19

Human Settlements Budget Vote Debate — Vote 9

ANC MPLs debated the Human Settlements Budget Vote, focusing on the stalled Botshabelo phase-six housing project, the RDP allocation irregularities in Mangaung, and the department's plan to address the 94 000-unit backlog. The Caucus supported the vote while formally requesting a quarterly delivery dashboard to be made available to the committee.

ANC Members Who Participated

Cde Mxolisi Dukoana Cde Dibolelo Mance Cde Thabo Meeko Cde Zama Sigwebela

Hansard Vol. 13, pp. 612–648 · Budget Vote Debate, 22 Aug 2025

Key Statements — ANC Members

Cde Mxolisi Dukoana

"The Botshabelo phase-six project has been stalled for 19 months. Three thousand two hundred families are waiting. The MEC must appear before the committee within 30 days with a credible turnaround plan, or we will recommend withholding of funds."

Cde Dibolelo Mance

"The RDP allocation irregularities in Mangaung are a serious governance failure. We have referred this matter to the SIU and expect a preliminary report by the end of Q3 2025. The beneficiaries affected cannot wait indefinitely."

Cde Thabo Meeko

"Despite the 94 000-unit backlog, the department spent only 67% of its capital budget in 2024/25. We cannot keep supporting votes for departments that do not spend. Accountability is not optional — it is the foundation of service delivery."

Cde Zama Sigwebela

"The ANC caucus supports Vote 9, but insists on a quarterly delivery dashboard that maps actual unit completion against targets per district. This is not a request — it is a non-negotiable condition of our support."

Caucus Conditional Position — Support Subject To

Quarterly delivery dashboard to be made accessible to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, updated by the 15th of each quarter.
MEC to appear before PC Human Settlements within 30 days to account for the Botshabelo phase-six construction stall.
SIU referral on Mangaung RDP allocation irregularities to be confirmed in writing to the committee within 7 days.
Performance bond for the Botshabelo contractor to be formally activated if construction is not resumed by 15 September 2025.
Department to submit a credible plan to address the 94 000-unit backlog, with district-level milestones, by 30 September 2025.