Author: The Free Stater

Staff Reporter Former Free State human settlements MEC Olly Mlamleli and her co-accused in the R255-million asbestos scandal have been released by the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on bail ranging between R50 000 and R500 000. They are facing up to 60 counts, including corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering charges relating to the Free State asbestos project contract that was awarded in 2014. Apart from the 63-year-old Mlamleli, the other accused individuals in the case are officials from the Free State human settlements department – head of department Nthimotse Mokhesi, 61, and supply chain management director Mahlomola John Matlakala, 42.…

Staff Reporter Dozens of ANC members are picketing outside the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court in solidarity with ousted Mangaung Metro mayor Olly Mlamleli who is appearing in court alongside six other high-profile individuals over the R250-million Free State asbestos project. The protestors, singing and displaying placards, are saying the case is politically motivated. ANC member Malefu Mofokeng said it was no secret that corruption in the party was deep-rooted, but they believe Mlamleli is being persecuted by political rivals. “We are here to support comrade Olly Mlamleli as the ANC leader,” she said. “We believe that she is not a criminal…

If your property stands empty for any length of time — usually taken as two months — you must tell your insurance company about it. The reason for this is that an empty house is a security risk and they need to assess their risk profile. In fact, if it is going to stand empty for a month I would tell them. It is very important for your home to be insured. Insurance means taking out a policy to cover you in case your home is damaged by an act of God, such as wind, rain, floods and lightning or…

Staff Reporter All seven suspects in the R255 million Free State asbestos corruption case are now in police custody after the last wanted person handed himself in at a police station in KwaZulu-Natal. Free State Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lynda Steyn told The Free Stater by telephone that the suspect will be processed together with his co-accused before making an initial appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Friday morning. “We now have all the suspects in custody after the seventh one handed himself over in KZN,” said Steyn. “The suspect did not cooperate like the others at first, but…

Staff Reporter Free State farmers battling for land over the years are expected to benefit when the government releases parcels of state land across the province for leasing in the coming months. Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza announced on Wednesday that the government will be releasing 8 333 hectares of farmland in the province as part of a countrywide initiative. Didiza said this when she outlined the process to be followed by those interested in leasing state land. She said in the coming two weeks, the government will advertise the 896 farms measuring 700 000 hectares…

Staff Reporter The Bloemfontein Magistrates Court has sentenced a 28-year-old man from Kopanong in Bloemfontein to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping a seven-year-old girl in 2011. Magistrate Roselina Sepapo sentenced Pina Blou for the rape he committed when he was 19 years old. According to evidence presented in court, on October 26, 2011, the complainant was sent by her grandmother to get some washing powder from the mother of the accused. The complainant only found the accused at the house. The accused then took the complainant to a nearby shop and raped her upon their return.…

Staff Reporter Ousted Mangaung Metro executive mayor Olly Mlamleli is believed to be among the high-profile individuals who have been arrested by the Hawks in the Free State in connection with a R250-million asbestos project in the province. Although several news outlets quoted sources claiming Mlamleli had been nabbed for her alleged role in the controversial deal during the time she was the MEC for human settlements, Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Lynda Steyn could only confirm the arrests but would not divulge the suspects’ names as they are yet to appear in court. “Yes, we have arrested some former…

Staff Reporter At least 119 000 people lost their jobs between April and June in the Free State as most of the economy ground to a complete halt under the tight restrictions of the national lockdown, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has said. In its latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Stats SA says only 638 000 people in the province were left with jobs compared to about 756 000 in the previous quarter. However, the number of the unemployed in the province dropped by 257 000 to 215 000 from 472 000 in the first quarter. This does not mean…

Staff Reporter Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality has approached the Free State High Court for relief following a dispute over the amount it owes Eskom for bulk electricity supplies. This comes after a payment plan agreed to by the two parties seems to have fallen by the wayside after the municipality raised objections on the amount owed and other conditions. The municipality is said to owe Eskom R5.4 billion. As part of its revenue recovery plan, Eskom attached the municipality’s bank account on July 21 to help recover a portion of that amount. At the time of the attachment, the municipality’s account…

Staff Reporter The eight police officers accused of business robbery in the Free State will remain behind bars until next week when they are expected to make a formal bail application. The suspects, who are all members of the Free State Tactical Response Team (TRT), made their initial appearance in the Kroonstad Magistrate Court on Friday facing charges of business robbery, defeating the ends of justice and perjury. They have been named as sergeants Doctor Christian Maloisane, Tieho William Nkebenyane, Paseka Kelebohile Molifi, Sello Joseph Makonyane, Khotatso Prinsloo Bless, Madiboho Samuel Mokhethi, PH Motlejoa and Constable Luzuko Cenga. Provincial police…