PARYS – In a major move to tackle infrastructure backlogs, the Ngwathe Local Municipality has officially acquired and unveiled a brand-new service delivery fleet valued at R8,4 million.
The fleet was unveiled in Parys on Saturday, 22 August 2026, by Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Mr Saki Mokoena, alongside Municipal Manager Dr Futhuli Patrick Mothamaha and provincial-appointed administrator Dr Solly Motingoe.
The newly acquired R8.4 million fleet consists of essential machinery and operational vehicles designed to optimize municipal operations, including bus to assist with community transport and administrative needs, smooth drum roller dedicated to urgent road maintenance and surfacing, waste compactor truck to enhance refuse collection and environmental hygiene and four utility bakkies to support rapid response field teams and infrastructure repairs.
MEC Mokoena emphasised that local municipalities must be equipped with the necessary resources to deliver high-quality services to residents. The new machinery aims to improve the municipality’s capacity to respond rapidly to community needs across all towns within the Ngwathe jurisdiction.
Municipal Manager Dr Futhuli Patrick Mothamaha noted that this rollout builds upon another fleet unveiling that took place in July.
“This new fleet will strengthen municipal service delivery capacity and contribute further to the ongoing municipal service delivery program of fixing municipal roads,” Dr Mothamaha stated.
He highlighted that owning the equipment will drastically reduce the municipality’s reliance on expensive outsourced plant hires, thereby lowering operational costs and ensuring better value for public funds.
Dr Mothamaha also extended gratitude to the provincial leadership and local residents. “We are able to achieve this because of our residents who continue to pay for municipal services,” he added, echoing the MEC’s emphasis on the importance of community ratepayer contributions to sustainable development.
Municipal Spokesperson Steve Naale emphasized that the new acquisition enhances the recently announced fleet. This expansion directly boosts the ongoing municipal service delivery program, which focuses on repairing local roads and establishing a rapid response team for urgent community infrastructure needs.
By expanding their internal fleet, the municipality aims to reduce its reliance on costly outsourced plant hire, lower overall operational costs, and secure better long-term value for public funds.
“The acquisition is one of the landmark achievements of the dissolved Municipal Council, leaving behind a lasting asset that will continue to improve service delivery and benefit the people of Ngwathe for years to come,” Naale said.
