Author: The Free Stater

IN a recent High Court ruling, Judge JP Daffue dismissed an urgent application concerning burial rights between an estranged wife and the family of the deceased, who passed away on October 12. The deceased’s wife sought an interdict to prevent his funeral from being held in Hertzogville, as arranged by the deceased’s mother. Instead, she argued that as his lawful spouse she had the right to bury him in Boshof, where they had resided during their marriage. She argued that her marriage to the deceased entitled her to make burial arrangements, despite their estrangement since 2021 and ongoing divorce proceedings.…

THE High Court has ruled that the employment contract between the ANC in the Free State and a former personal assistant to the party’s chief whip is unlawful. The decision, delivered on 21 October by Judge P.J. Loubser, effectively voids Kenalemang Kelebohile’s contract and mandates that she bear the legal costs associated with the case. The dispute arose when and Notsi, appointed by former ANC chief whip Thembeni Ngxangisa in April 2023, claimed unfair dismissal following the termination of her contract. The ANC, represented by its current chief whip, challenged the validity of Notsi’s appointment, alleging that her employment was…

THE Free State High Court has ruled in favour of Sasfin Bank Limited and Sunlyn (Pty) Ltd in a debt recovery case against Bloemfontein-based company Makatsang Cleaning Services (Pty) Ltd and its two guarantors, Gert Stefanus Venter and Francois Du Toit. Presiding over the case, Judge Loubser delivered a verdict requiring the defendants to settle an outstanding debt of R520 900.01, in addition to interest and legal costs. The case revolved around a defaulted rental agreement for office equipment initially entered into by Makatsang Cleaning Services with Itec. Venter and Du Toit had personally guaranteed the payments under this agreement.…

A POLICE officer in the Free State has been sentenced for assault and discharging a firearm in a built-up area without warranted cause. Daniel Petrus Du Toit, a 52-year-old warrant officer with the South African Police Service, was arrested and charged following his violent altercation with a motorist in Wesselsbron, a small farming town that lies about 160 km north of provincial capital Bloemfontein. According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the law enforcer was patrolling the streets on 6 November 2020 when he stopped in front of a vehicle that was being driven by the 50-year-old…

AN abusive surgeon made life a living hell for nursing staff assisting him at a private hospital in Bloemfontein, using deeply offensive language, including racial and vulgar insults, against them. Dr Stephen Paul Grobler’s reign of terror at Netcare Universitas Hospital was exposed after Tilana Alida Louw, employed as a theatre manager at the health facility, took legal action against him for intentional infliction of emotional distress. She also sued Netcare for failing to protect her and take action against the surgeon. Louw told the Free State High Court that Dr Grobler, with the intent to injure her, continually verbally…

THE African Congress for Transformation (ACT) has expelled 11 of its members in the Free State for allegedly engaging in divisive or disruptive actions. The ousted individuals were named as Rankele Lawrence Msinto, Mokone Rantshaila, Tshidi Senoge, Tsietsi Sethabela, Iris Mogamise, Maureen Moopoloa, Mapaseka Nkoane, Motlalepule Makoloane, Tatum de Pearce, Rosa Gcantsane and Tiisetso Khaalo. In a statement released by ACT Free State provincial secretary Kgaketla Mokoena, the 11 were accused of engaging in actions that were detrimental to the collective goals and aspirations of the party. The media release did not specify what exactly the members did to warrant…

A FATAL road accident in the Free State has claimed the lives of popular rapper, singer and songwriter Malome Vector along with two other artists, Lizwi Lokuqula and Puleng Phoofolo. They were on their to Lesotho to film a music video. The Free State Department of Health confirmed the three perished in a deadly crash on the N1 close to the Koppies turn-off on Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck. Malome Vector’s family has also confirmed his passing in a statement, describing him as a true and loving son. He was 32. “[He] lived…

THABO Bester’s lawyers have complained they are finding it difficult to consult with the convicted rapist and murderer due to restrictions at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria where he is being held pending trial. His newly appointed defence advocate, Lerato Moela, says his client’s treatment at the prison is affecting him mentally. Bester, who escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in May 2022, appeared in the Free State High Court on Wednesday together with his co-accused in a case in which they face 30 counts of fraud, corruption, violating a corpse and aiding and abetting a…

THE Department of Employment and Labour closed down Thato Secondary School in Botshabelo following an inspection that deemed the school unsafe for learners and employees. The inspectors found that the school had unsafe electrical installations, mobile classrooms that were not stable on the ground and broken ablution facilities. These findings pose imminent danger and possible injury or death to learners and employees, the department said in a statement. The latest prohibition is the third issued to the Department of Education over the last three years. In 2021, Thato Secondary School was found to be non-compliant with some provisions of the…

PREMIER MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has condemned surge in gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the Free State. In the latest case to rock the province, the body of Disebo Mosupa was on Friday found buried in a used grave at a cemetery in Welkom four days after she was reported missing. Two men were arrested in connection with the disappearance and murder of the 30-year-old woman, an acting youth development officer at Matjhabeng Local Municipality. “We must take a bold stand and seek decisive action to curb the heinous crimes of GBVF”, Letsoha-Mathae said during her visit to the family of…