Author: The Free Stater

Staff Reporter The Free State treasury has come out guns blazing, dismissing as unfounded and incorrect allegations of corruption against its head of department, Godfrey Mahlatsi, published in a local newspaper last week. A statement issued by the department Wednesday said the front-page article published by The Free State Weekly under the headline “Treasury HOD embroiled in ‘corruption’ storm” was grossly inaccurate as the alleged illicit awarding of contracts was above board and at no time did the department favour certain bidders over others. The department said it also viewed the article as a conflict of interest because the owner…

Staff Reporter A Grade 7 learner from Amohelang Primary School in Botshabelo died Wednesday afternoon after collapsing at school. She was 13 and the cause of death has not yet been established. In a statement, Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe said he was shocked and saddened by the death of the learner. “I am really sad and shocked on hearing this piece of news. May her soul rest in peace,” Makgoe said in a statement released late Wednesday. The MEC wished the learner’s family, schoolmates, teachers and all staff at the school strength and courage to go through the…

Staff Reporter Two students from Central University of Technology (CUT)’s Bloemfontein campus have tested positive for COVID-19, the institution has confirmed. This brings to four the total number of coronavirus cases at the university since the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease in the country. The latest cases will however not disrupt lectures and other business at the institution as the two have been studying from home owing to the restrictive national lockdown regulations. “Both students were studying from home and thus did not come into contact with the campus or any other students,” CUT said in a statement issued…

Staff Reporter Eskom has suspended the planned power cuts to Masilonyana Local Municipality which were set to start today after it received some payment towards the debt which is R70 million in arrears. In a statement, the electricity supplier said the power cuts which would have affected the towns of Theunissen, Brandfort, Winburg and Verkeerdevlei will now be put on hold as further discussions are held to come up with a long-term solution. “Eskom is pleased to announce that the contemplated restriction of electricity supply to Masilonyana Local Municipality in the Free State has been suspended,” read part of the…

Staff Reporter Two researchers from the University of the Free State (UFS) have been nominated for the Science Oscars for their outstanding work and contributions to science over the years. The university said plant sciences research fellow, Professor Zakkie Pretorius, and the director for the Centre for Environmental Management, Professor Paul Oberholster, were nominated for the 2019/2020 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) – South32 Awards. Pretorius was nominated in two categories; the Special Annual Theme Award: Research and Development and Innovation in Plant Health as well as the Lifetime category. The Special Annual Theme Awards are presented in recognition…

Staff Reporter Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and his wife Nolwandle have tested positive for COVID-19, the Presidency has announced. According to the Presidency, the minister received his results earlier today after having undergone three rounds of tests since the outbreak of the virus. “Minister Mantashe and Mrs Mantashe are currently in isolation and the minister will continue to work from home,” the Presidency said in a statement this evening. “The minister remains committed to a course of ensuring security of energy and petroleum products supply to society during this difficult period and beyond. “The minister has directed…

Staff Reporter A Free State man suspected of double murder has been on the run since he escaped from police custody 15 years ago. But the police have not given up. Detectives in Bethlehem have launched a public appeal to help them track down the suspect, Thapelo Samuel Mokoena, who together with four accomplices allegedly killed a farmer and her employee in the eastern Free State town in 2004. The fugitive, who sometimes uses the surname Mlangeni, is believed to be from Matsikeng in QwaQwa. In a statement issued Tuesday, provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said the suspect was…

Staff Reporter Schools will remain open – at least for now – even though South Africa is now approaching the COVID-19 peak, the Department of Basic Education has said. With pressure mounting from unions, political parties, activists and parents to immediately close schools as the country’s coronavirus cases continue to rise, the department issued a statement Tuesday evening saying only cabinet could decide on the matter. “The decision on whether schools will be closed or not will be taken by cabinet,” read part of the statement, released following a special meeting of the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) hosted by…

Staff Reporter A few years of stormy battles with her little daughter each time she had to take her to the salon for a hairdo could have been a blessing in disguise for Bloemfontein mother Naledi Diradingwe who recently opened a hair salon exclusively for kids. Tiny Fros Salon, situated at Bloem Plaza in the city centre, opened its doors on July 7. Diradingwe, who prefers to call herself a mumpreneur, is excited about her venture and she says business is promising. “I noticed there was a gap in the market because I used to struggle with my daughter each…

Staff Reporter Temperatures in some parts of the Free State could drop to as low as -8 °C Wednesday before the weather gradually starts improving later in the week, the South Africa Weather Service (SAWS) has warned. SAWS forecaster Axinia Sethabela told The Free Stater that the minimum temperature in Ficksburg could be as low as -8 °C with a chance of frost in several parts of the province. “We have issued a warning for heavy frost as temperatures are expected to drop significantly tomorrow,” Sethabela said. She said big temperature drops were also expected in Bloemfontein and Fouriesburg which…