These complaints thus cover a wide range of concerns addressed by the Commission, and they clearly indicate systemic service delivery challenges within local municipalities in the Free State Province. The Commission has expressed considerable concern that, notwithstanding previous investigative reports against some Municipalities, these infractions continue unabated. Municipalities and other administrators would offer numerous explanations for the disastrous degradation and significant dilapidation of service delivery at local municipalities in the Free State. Some of the reasons given are budgetary limits, resident nonpayment for services, and human resource constraints. Despite identifying these difficulties year after year, little is done to solve them effectively.

Furthermore, in several sections of the province, residents still use bucket toilets. According to the 2019 Municipal Census by Statistics South Africa, 37 of the 257 municipalities still have bucket toilets. While the number of bucket toilet systems has gradually decreased across the country, Free State persists as one of the provinces with a large number of people using them.

The Investigative Enquiry is scheduled as follows:

Date: 25 to 28 March 2024

Time: 08h00 - 17:00

Venue: Bloemfontein - Tuscany Rose Hotel

- Ends –

For further information contact SAHRC FS Acting-Provincial Manager, Mr. Thonoko Modise on Tel: 051 447 1170, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / Cell: 0616849731  or Me. Alinah Khompeli; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / Cell: 0783614909 or Me. Lesego Diteho; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / Cell: 0736394776