By 
Maluti- A-Phofung is one of the municipalities in the Free State faced with a lot of challenges of service delivery and corruption and its officials and Councillors have been accused of corruption for eons without accountability.
Cllr Mary Crockett who appeared in court this week, is accused of selling an RDP house for R70 000, which sparked outrage and some opposition parties vowing to ensure that the Cllr is held accountable and that justice prevails.
During its media briefing on Thursday, the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State said they acknowledged Crockett’s matter and that the Councillor appeared in court.
“The PEC received and acknowledged from the regional committee of Thabo Mofutsanyana on the legal challenges faced by Cde Mary Crocket who is a councillor in Maluti-a-Phofung and appreciated the voluntary step aside of the said comrade in line with the step aside rule of the ANC,” said the Provincial Secretary General of the ANC Cde Polediso Motsoeneng.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the province said the behaviour of Mary Crockett is unacceptable, she should be serving the people and not her own interests. The party lamented the extent of corruption in the municipality saying it is a thorn that hinders progress and service delivery in communities and erodes public trust in government.
Cmsr Mapheule Liphoko, the provincial Chairperson of the EFF said the sale of RDP houses is just but one of the manifestations of corruption in the municipality.
“The sale of RDP houses by Councillors and officials is a betrayal of the public trust and undermines the purpose of the subsidy program. These houses are meant to benefit those who need them most, not to line the pockets of corrupt officials and ANC Councillors. When Councillors sell RDP houses they are not only breaking the law, but also perpetuating inequality and denying deserving citizens access to affordable housing.
The consequences of such corruption are far-reaching. It can lead to the displacement of vulnerable households, who may be forced to return to informal settlements or rental accommodation. It can also perpetuate inequality as those who are able to purchase these homes may not be the ones who need them most,” said Liphoko.
