Free State Provincial Legislature · 7th Term

Legislative Tracker

Track priority bills through every stage — with plain-language summaries, the caucus position, and links to official FSL records.

8
Bills currently active
7
Bills passed · 2024/25 term
3
Public hearings scheduled
2
Bills ANC supports with amendments
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FSB 2 of 2026 Public Hearing

Free State Water Services Amendment Bill

Amends the 2009 Water Services Act to strengthen municipal accountability for water service delivery failures, introduce quarterly reporting obligations to the legislature, and establish community complaint mechanisms. Directly addresses persistent outages in Lejweleputswa and Xhariep districts.

Water & Sanitation Lejweleputswa Xhariep
ANC Supports
Introduced
Committee
Public Hearing
Plenary Vote
Assented / Law
Introduced: 12 Jan 2026
Next hearing: 26 Mar 2026
Committee: Portfolio Cmte Water & Sanitation
FSL record ↗
Background

The Free State Water Services Amendment Bill amends the Water Services Act of 2009 to strengthen municipal accountability for water service delivery failures. It directly addresses persistent water outages experienced by communities in Lejweleputswa (Thabong, Welkom) and Xhariep (Bethulie, Springfontein), where residents have reported water cuts lasting more than 72 hours.

Key provisions
  • Section 5A — Quarterly reporting obligationMunicipalities must submit a quarterly water services delivery report to the legislature, including outage statistics, maintenance spend, and remediation plans.
  • Section 12B — Community complaint registryEach municipality must maintain a public complaints registry. Complaints must receive a written response within 14 days; failure triggers automatic escalation to the MEC.
  • Section 18 — Consequence managementPersistent failures (3 or more quarters of non-compliance) enable the MEC to withhold equitable share allocations pending a corrective action plan.
  • Section 22 — Legislative oversightThe Portfolio Committee on Water & Sanitation is empowered to summon municipal managers to account for delivery failures at any time.
ANC caucus position
✓ Full support

The ANC Free State Caucus fully supports this bill. It is a priority piece of legislation directly linked to constituency complaints received through PCOs in Thabong and Bethulie. The Chief Whip has been designated as the caucus lead. The caucus may propose a minor amendment to Section 12B to reduce the response period from 14 to 7 days for water supply disruptions affecting more than 500 households.

How to engage
Public hearing26 March 2026 — Bloemfontein
Written submissionsfslegislature@fsl.gov.za by 20 Mar
CommitteePortfolio Cmte Water & Sanitation
Bill numberFSB 2 of 2026
Bill Explainer — What this bill means for you

This bill forces municipalities to report every 3 months to the legislature about water outages, maintenance spend, and what they are doing to fix problems. If a municipality keeps failing, the province can withhold their funding until they produce a credible recovery plan.

  • Right to a response: If your water is cut, you can log a formal complaint and must receive a written response within 14 days — failure triggers automatic escalation to the MEC.
  • Financial consequences: Municipalities that fail for 3 or more consecutive quarters risk losing equitable share funding until they fix delivery.
  • Legislative summons: The Portfolio Committee can call any municipal manager to account before the legislature at any time — no more unanswered questions.
  • Who benefits most: Communities in Thabong, Welkom, Bethulie, and Springfontein who have experienced water cuts lasting 72+ hours stand to benefit directly from this bill.
FSB 1 of 2026 In Committee

Free State Education Amendment Bill

Proposes amendments to infrastructure funding allocations for rural schools, introduces new minimum standards for educator-to-learner ratios in quintile 1–3 schools, and mandates annual school infrastructure audits submitted to the legislature. Key to caucus priority on closing urban-rural education gap.

Education Thabo Mofutsanyane Fezile Dabi
ANC Supports
Introduced
Committee
Public Hearing
Plenary Vote
Assented / Law
Introduced: 5 Feb 2026
Committee sitting: 28 Mar 2026
Committee: Portfolio Cmte Education
FSL record ↗
Background

The Free State Education Amendment Bill proposes targeted amendments to improve equity in the provincial education system. It establishes enforceable minimum standards for educator-to-learner ratios in no-fee schools, mandates ring-fenced capital funding for rural infrastructure, and requires annual independent infrastructure audits to be tabled in the legislature — closing an existing accountability gap.

Key provisions
  • Section 3 — Educator-to-learner ratioMinimum ratio of 1:35 (down from 1:45) for all quintile 1–3 schools. The Department must report quarterly on compliance. Failure to meet ratios within 3 terms triggers mandatory redistribution of educators.
  • Section 8 — Annual infrastructure auditAn independent infrastructure audit of all public schools must be completed annually and tabled in the Portfolio Committee on Education by 31 March each year.
  • Section 11 — Rural infrastructure fundMinimum 40% of the provincial education capital budget must be allocated to rural schools in quintile 1–3. The fund is ring-fenced and cannot be vired to other line items.
  • Section 16 — Safety standardsAll schools must meet minimum safety infrastructure standards (secure perimeter, ablution facilities, clean water access) within two financial years of the Act coming into force.
ANC caucus position
✓ Full support — with proposed amendment

The ANC caucus fully supports the bill. Cde Nolitha Ndungane (MPL) is designated as the caucus lead. The caucus has tabled a proposed amendment to increase the Section 11 rural ring-fence from 40% to 45%, citing infrastructure backlogs in Thabo Mofutsanyane and Fezile Dabi as justification.

How to engage
Committee sitting28 March 2026
Written submissionsVia Portfolio Cmte Education secretary
CommitteePortfolio Cmte Education
Bill numberFSB 1 of 2026
Bill Explainer — What this bill means for you

This bill sets a legal ceiling on how many learners can be in a classroom at the poorest schools and guarantees a protected share of the education budget for rural school buildings — backed by annual independent audits that must be tabled in the legislature.

  • Smaller classes: Quintile 1–3 schools must have a maximum of 35 learners per teacher, down from 45. Non-compliance triggers mandatory educator redistribution within 3 school terms.
  • Protected rural funding: At least 40% of the provincial education capital budget must go to rural schools and cannot be redirected to other spending lines.
  • Annual public audits: An independent audit of every school's infrastructure must be completed yearly and tabled before the Portfolio Committee — parents can track whether repairs happened.
  • Who benefits most: Learners and parents at quintile 1–3 schools in Thabo Mofutsanyane and Fezile Dabi will see the most direct improvements.
FSB 5 of 2025 Ready for Vote

Human Settlements Development Act Amendment

Revises delivery timelines and contractor accountability mechanisms for RDP and BNG housing projects. The caucus supports the bill in principle but has proposed amendments to Clause 14 to strengthen community consultation requirements before contractor appointment — a direct response to community petition from Mangaung.

Housing Mangaung Metro
Support + Amendments
Introduced
Committee
Public Hearing
Plenary Vote
Assented / Law
Introduced: 18 Sep 2025
Plenary vote: 8 Apr 2026
Committee: Portfolio Cmte Human Settlements
FSL record ↗
Background

The Human Settlements Development Act Amendment Bill revises delivery timelines and contractor accountability mechanisms for RDP and Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing projects. The ANC caucus supports the bill in principle but has tabled formal amendments addressing community consultation gaps and beneficiary verification weaknesses that have led to fraud and misallocation in Mangaung Metro.

ANC caucus amendments
✎ Support + formal amendments tabled — plenary vote 8 Apr 2026
  • Clause 14 amendment: A minimum 30-day public participation period in the affected ward must be completed before any contractor is appointed for a housing project. Consultation records must be submitted to the legislature.
  • Clause 7 amendment: A publicly accessible provincial contractor blacklisting register must be maintained and updated within 30 days of any disqualification. Blacklisted contractors may not be sub-contracted either.
  • Clause 19 amendment: An independent beneficiary verification audit must be completed before any housing unit is handed over. This directly addresses fraudulent allocation complaints raised in the Mangaung Metro community petition (1 240 signatories).
  • Clause 23 amendment: Delivery timelines must be made public on the legislature's website with quarterly progress updates — enabling community monitoring.
Plenary vote details
Plenary vote8 April 2026
Caucus positionSupport + amendments
Caucus leadCde Dibolelo Mance (MPL)
Bill numberFSB 5 of 2025
Bill Explainer — What this bill means for you

This bill tightens accountability for RDP and BNG housing delivery. Contractors must meet deadlines or be blacklisted. Beneficiaries must be independently verified before a house is handed over. Waiting lists must be publicly accessible so communities can see where they stand.

  • Check your place on the list: The housing beneficiary waiting list must be made publicly accessible — you can verify your position and whether the process is fair.
  • No more queue-jumping: Every handover requires an independent beneficiary verification audit, directly addressing the fraud complaints from Mangaung Metro (1 240-signatory petition).
  • Contractor accountability: Firms that delay or abandon projects are blacklisted — they cannot receive new government contracts, including as sub-contractors.
  • Community consultation first: A 30-day public participation period in the affected ward must happen before any housing contractor is appointed — communities have a say before ground is broken.
FSB 3 of 2026 Introduced

Free State Health Infrastructure Maintenance Bill

Establishes a dedicated provincial infrastructure maintenance fund for public hospitals and clinics, with ring-fenced appropriations and annual independent auditing. Introduces mandatory facility maintenance schedules and escalation protocols for failures. Addresses oversight findings from Thabo Mofutsanyane and Lejweleputswa district hospitals.

Health Thabo Mofutsanyane Lejweleputswa
ANC Supports
Introduced
Committee
Public Hearing
Plenary Vote
Assented / Law
Introduced: 2 Mar 2026
Committee referral: 14 Apr 2026
Committee: Portfolio Cmte Health
FSL record ↗
Background

The Free State Health Infrastructure Maintenance Bill was introduced in direct response to oversight committee findings on the state of public hospitals and clinics in Thabo Mofutsanyane and Lejweleputswa districts. Pelonomi and Bongani hospitals were cited for persistent equipment failures and structural maintenance backlogs. The bill creates a dedicated, ring-fenced provincial maintenance fund and independent audit authority for all health infrastructure.

Key provisions
  • Section 4 — Provincial Health Infrastructure Fund3% of the total provincial Health vote must be ring-fenced annually for infrastructure maintenance. The fund cannot be vired to operational expenditure. Unspent funds roll over to the next financial year.
  • Section 9 — Independent Infrastructure Audit CommitteeA nine-member committee (including civil society representatives) must conduct quarterly facility condition assessments and report directly to the Portfolio Committee on Education, Health & Social Services.
  • Section 15 — Escalation protocolCritical infrastructure failures (power, water, medical gas) require a response plan within 48 hours of notification. Failure to respond enables the MEC to instruct emergency contractors at the relevant district municipality's cost.
  • Section 21 — Annual maintenance scheduleEach hospital and clinic must publish an annual maintenance schedule, costing, and completion status on the legislature's public portal.
ANC caucus position
✓ Full support

The ANC caucus initiated the oversight process that led to this bill being tabled. Cde Nolitha Ndungane (MPL, Thabo Mofutsanyane) leads the caucus engagement. The caucus has noted that Section 4 should specify that maintenance spend must prioritise district hospitals and primary health care clinics in quintile 1–2 areas.

Legislative timeline
Introduced2 March 2026
Committee referral14 April 2026
Public hearing (est.)May / June 2026
Bill numberFSB 3 of 2026
Bill Explainer — What this bill means for you

This bill ensures clinics and hospitals are properly maintained using a ring-fenced budget that cannot be raided for other spending. An independent committee of auditors — including civil society members — will inspect every facility quarterly and report publicly on what they find.

  • Emergency repairs in 48 hours: If a clinic loses power, water, or medical gas, the law requires a response plan within 48 hours. If the Department fails to act, the MEC can instruct emergency contractors and charge the cost back.
  • Ring-fenced maintenance money: 3% of the annual health budget is locked for maintenance — it cannot be moved to salaries, operations, or other items, and unspent funds carry over to the next year.
  • Public maintenance schedules: Every hospital and clinic must publish its maintenance plan, costs, and completion status online — communities can hold facilities accountable.
  • Who benefits most: Patients and staff at Pelonomi and Bongani hospitals and at rural clinics in Thabo Mofutsanyane and Lejweleputswa, which were cited for the worst backlogs.
FSB 4 of 2025 In Committee

Agriculture & Land Reform Act Amendment

Introduces new provisions for small-scale and subsistence farmer support, including access to provincial irrigation infrastructure, subsidised input vouchers, and cooperative registration assistance. The caucus proposes amendments to extend coverage to commonage land users, particularly in Xhariep where many small-scale farmers rely on municipal commonage.

Agriculture & Land Reform Xhariep Fezile Dabi
Support + Amendments
Introduced
Committee
Public Hearing
Plenary Vote
Assented / Law
Introduced: 5 Nov 2025
Committee sitting: 3 Apr 2026
Committee: Portfolio Cmte Agriculture
FSL record ↗
Background

The Agriculture & Land Reform Act Amendment (FSB 4/2025) introduces new provisions for small-scale and subsistence farmer support, including access to provincial irrigation infrastructure, subsidised input vouchers, and cooperative registration assistance. The bill passed first reading on 5 November 2025 and is currently being scrutinised by the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture.

ANC Caucus Proposed Amendments
  • Clause 6 — Definition of "qualifying farmer": Extend the definition to explicitly include commonage land users and seasonal subsistence farmers who do not hold title to their land but have documented municipal permission to use commonage.
  • Clause 11 — Irrigation infrastructure access: Amend the eligibility criteria to include communal irrigation schemes on municipal commonage, particularly in Xhariep where over 3 000 small-scale farmers rely on shared municipal land.
  • Clause 17 — Subsidy voucher programme: Remove the requirement for a land ownership certificate as a prerequisite for input vouchers; replace with a provincial agricultural support card issued by the Department of Agriculture.

Lead: Cde Ntombizodwa Mance (Portfolio Cmte Agriculture) · Committee sitting: 3 April 2026

How to Engage
Committee sitting3 April 2026
Submit views toPortfolio Cmte Agriculture
Bill numberFSB 4 of 2025
Bill Explainer — What this bill means for you

This bill opens provincial farming support — irrigation access, subsidised seeds, and cooperative registration help — to small-scale and subsistence farmers. Crucially, you do not need to own land. The ANC caucus is pushing to extend this explicitly to farmers who use municipal commonage, who are currently excluded from most support programmes.

  • No land title required: If the ANC amendments pass, a provincial agricultural support card replaces the land ownership certificate as the qualifying document for input vouchers and irrigation access.
  • Commonage farmers included: The estimated 3 000+ small-scale farmers in Xhariep farming on municipal commonage would qualify for provincial support for the first time.
  • Cooperative assistance: The Department must help groups of 5 or more farmers register a cooperative, reducing the administrative barrier that has historically kept small producers out of formal supply chains.
  • Access to irrigation: Communal irrigation schemes on municipal commonage would be eligible for provincial infrastructure support under the proposed amendments.
FSB 6 of 2025 Public Hearing

Free State Safety & Liaison Amendment Bill

Proposes new civilian oversight mechanisms for the Community Police Forums (CPFs) and introduces provincial safety coordinators in each district. The caucus is reviewing provisions on CPF funding eligibility, which may inadvertently exclude community organisations in informal settlements. Position finalisation expected after the public hearing round.

Safety & Liaison All districts
Under Review
Introduced
Committee
Public Hearing
Plenary Vote
Assented / Law
Introduced: 24 Oct 2025
Next hearing: 7 Apr 2026
Committee: Portfolio Cmte Safety & Liaison
FSL record ↗
Background

The Free State Safety & Liaison Amendment Bill (FSB 6/2025) proposes new civilian oversight mechanisms for Community Police Forums (CPFs) and introduces provincial safety coordinators in each district. It creates a formal accountability structure linking CPFs to the provincial Department of Safety & Liaison. The bill passed committee stage on 5 February 2026 and is now in the public hearing round.

Caucus Review: Key Concern

CPF Funding Eligibility (Clause 9): The current draft requires CPF applicants to be registered as a non-profit organisation (NPO) under the Non-Profit Organisations Act. This may inadvertently exclude community safety organisations in informal settlements that operate informally or as community-based organisations (CBOs) not yet registered under the Act.

The caucus is engaging the Department on whether a simplified CBO registration pathway or an interim recognition category can be added before the bill proceeds to plenary vote. Position finalisation expected after the public hearing round closes on 28 March 2026.

Legislative Timeline
Introduced24 October 2025
Public hearing7 April 2026
Lead caucus memberTBC (position under review)
Bill numberFSB 6 of 2025
Bill Explainer — What this bill means for you

This bill strengthens civilian oversight of Community Police Forums (CPFs) and creates a provincial safety coordinator in each district. However, community safety organisations in informal settlements — which are often not formally registered as non-profit organisations — may be cut off from CPF funding under the current draft. The ANC caucus is engaging the Department to fix this before the bill is finalised.

  • Better CPF accountability: Provincial safety coordinators will be appointed in every district to oversee CPF operations and ensure funding is properly spent.
  • Risk for informal settlements: Clause 9 currently requires CPFs to be registered NPOs. Community-based organisations (CBOs) in informal settlements that operate informally may be excluded from funding — watch this space.
  • Caucus is acting: The ANC caucus is engaging the Department to create a simplified CBO recognition pathway so informal settlement safety groups are not left out.
  • Your chance to engage: The public hearing on 7 April 2026 is the direct opportunity for informal settlement communities to raise this concern before the bill proceeds to a plenary vote.
FSB 8 of 2025 Signed into Law

Economic Development Incentives Amendment

Expanded the provincial investment incentive framework to include small and medium enterprises in secondary towns, reduced bureaucratic requirements for emerging business registration, and created a provincial SMME development fund with ring-fenced appropriations. Signed by the Premier on 14 February 2026.

Finance & Economic Dev. Fezile Dabi Lejweleputswa
ANC Supports
Introduced
Committee
Public Hearing
Plenary Vote
Assented / Law
Introduced: 3 Jul 2025
Passed: 6 Feb 2026
Assented: 14 Feb 2026
View act ↗ FSL record ↗
Bill Explainer — What this law means for you

This bill is already signed into law (14 February 2026). It opens provincial investment incentives — grants, tax relief, and co-funding — to small and medium enterprises in smaller towns across the Free State. It also creates a dedicated SMME development fund with ring-fenced appropriations and cuts the red tape required to register a new business.

  • Open to small businesses now: Investment incentives previously available only to larger firms are now accessible to SMMEs in secondary towns like Sasolburg, Kroonstad, Phuthaditjhaba, and Welkom.
  • Dedicated SMME fund: A provincial fund with ring-fenced appropriations provides startup and growth capital for township and rural entrepreneurs who could not access the previous incentive framework.
  • Less red tape: Bureaucratic registration requirements for emerging businesses have been reduced — fewer forms, fewer approvals, faster access to support.
  • Already law — apply now: Signed by the Premier on 14 February 2026. Entrepreneurs in Fezile Dabi and Lejweleputswa should contact the Department of Economic Development for application details.
FSB 7 of 2025 In Committee

Roads & Transport Infrastructure Bill

Establishes a provincial road maintenance priority ranking system, introduces mandatory community consultation before any road projects above R5 million, and creates a provincial roads agency with independent oversight. The caucus prioritises provisions addressing dirt road access in rural communities of Thabo Mofutsanyane and Xhariep.

Roads & Infrastructure Thabo Mofutsanyane Xhariep
ANC Supports
Introduced
Committee
Public Hearing
Plenary Vote
Assented / Law
Introduced: 22 Aug 2025
Committee sitting: 14 Apr 2026
Committee: Portfolio Cmte Public Works & Roads
FSL record ↗
Background

The Roads & Transport Infrastructure Bill (FSB 7/2025) establishes a provincial road maintenance priority ranking system, introduces mandatory community consultation before any road projects above R5 million, and creates an independent provincial roads agency. The ANC caucus views this bill as essential to addressing the critical state of rural road infrastructure, particularly dirt roads in Thabo Mofutsanyane and Xhariep districts.

Key Provisions
  • Section 4 — Priority ranking system: Establishes a needs-based road maintenance priority matrix considering road condition, community access, economic impact, and safety risk. Dirt roads serving rural communities receive weighted priority scores.
  • Section 9 — Community consultation: Mandatory community consultation meetings required before approval of any road project valued above R5 million; minimum 30-day public comment period; consultation reports must be tabled before the Portfolio Committee.
  • Section 15 — Provincial Roads Agency: Creates a new entity, the Free State Roads Agency (FSRA), with an independent board including civil society representation from each district, responsible for overseeing project implementation and expenditure.
  • Section 21 — Rural access provisions: Requires the FSRA to maintain and upgrade at least 500 km of community access roads annually, with district-level targets tied to the annual performance plan.
ANC Caucus Position

Full support. The caucus prioritises Sections 4 and 21 as directly addressing constituent needs in Thabo Mofutsanyane and Xhariep where deteriorating dirt roads limit access to schools, clinics, and markets. Caucus will push for the annual rural access target of 500 km to be entrenched in the bill rather than left to the annual performance plan.

Lead: Cde Moabi Mokoena · Committee sitting: 14 April 2026

Legislative Timeline
Introduced22 August 2025
Committee sitting14 April 2026
CommitteePortfolio Cmte Public Works & Roads
Bill numberFSB 7 of 2025
Bill Explainer — What this bill means for you

This bill creates a legal obligation to fix the worst roads first, based on a needs-based ranking system. Before any major road project can start in your community, residents must be formally consulted. An independent agency with community representatives from every district will oversee how road contracts are awarded and how money is spent.

  • Worst roads fixed first: A provincial priority ranking matrix scores every road by its condition, safety risk, and community access needs — rural dirt roads that have been neglected for years will move to the top of the list.
  • Mandatory community consultation: Before any road project above R5 million is approved, the affected community gets a minimum 30-day consultation period and their input must be reported to the legislature.
  • Independent oversight: The new Free State Roads Agency (FSRA) will have an independent board with civil society representatives from each district — road contracts will face scrutiny beyond just the Department.
  • 500 km rural roads annually: The bill requires at least 500 km of community access roads to be maintained or upgraded each year, with district-level targets tracked publicly against the annual performance plan.

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