Author: The Free Stater

Police are investigating a case of murder after a Grade 12 learner at Kagisano Combined School in Soutpan, about 50km northeast of Bloemfontein, allegedly stabbed and killed a physical science teacher on Thursday night. The 35-year-old teacher, Matefo Mphosela, was allegedly attacked by the learner, aged 21, while at her house. The motive for the killing is not yet known. The learner, who is currently in police custody, allegedly attacked the teacher at her house around 9pm. Education MEC Tate Makgoe says he is devastated by the incident. He is quoted in a statement released by his office as saying…

The Botshabelo Regional Court this week slapped a 40-year-old man who was already serving two life terms with another life imprisonment after he was convicted of raping a four-year-old boy three years ago. Magistrate Motshidisi Khuduga sentenced Lazarus Ntipa Nkoto for the brutal incident that happened on February 17, 2019. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said on the day of the incident, Nkoto was sitting outside a local tavern when he saw the victim who was staying opposite the tavern getting out of the yard. “He approached the complainant and forced him into a toilet and raped him,”…

Part of an owner’s responsibility to the body corporate is paying levies for the maintenance of the complex in full and on time. The money is expected to cover major work in the form of waterproofing and painting. The reason for owning a property varies from owner to owner. There are those owners who own property to stay in themselves – these normally want to see the complex managed and maintained in tip-top condition with no money being spared on the best maintenance possible. Other owners are letting out their units and want the highest return on their investment –…

By now I think everyone knows that I am not impressed with the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act (STSMA). To me, it is a badly written Act of good intentions but impractical, ineffective and inefficient. For an Act that is supposed to be used and worked with by trustees that may not be well “uneducated” in issues to do with property, I think it is far too involved, prescriptive and full of red tape. However, the Act does provide some protection to owners against trustees and developers who want to do harm. A very interesting case was reported recently where…

The eighth suspect in the alleged embezzlement of funds earmarked for the construction of the Winnie Mandela Museum in Brandfort has appeared has appeared before the Welkom Magistrates Court facing charges of fraud and theft. Jan Harm Du Plessis, 41, made an initial appearance on Monday before the case was postponed to Thursday for a formal bail application. The Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo said in a statement Du Plessis was arrested last Friday at OR Tambo International Airport by the border police. “This comes after a warrant of arrest was issued against him by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption…

The University of the Free State (UFS) has cemented its place as a leading institution on the continent and in the world, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023. The UFS emerged in the 801-1 000 range of this prestigious ranking, which includes 1 799 institutions from across 104 countries – the largest and most diverse university rankings to date. This is the institution’s first entry in the THE top university rankings, joining some of the world’s best universities. The rankings assess institutions across the globe based on performance indicators such as teaching, research, knowledge transfer…

The Central University of Technology (CUT)’s cheerleading team secured a gold medal at the South African Majorettes and Cheerleading Association (SAMCA) National Competitions held in Polokwane last Saturday. The team, which was also representing the Free State Majorette and Cheerleading Association (FSMCA), came out tops against three other sides. The CUT cheerleaders qualified for the national championships after winning the provincial contest held Hoërskool Fichardtpark in September. “When I arrived at CUT, I realised that there wasn’t a cheerleading team and that’s where I saw an opportunity to start a team using my experience, passion and love for cheerleading,” said…

Eskom says failure by 16 Free State municipalities, including Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality to pay for bulk electricity supplies is making it difficult for the national power utility to ensure service delivery and keep its equipment in good working order. The municipalities jointly owe Eskom over R17 billion for power supplies as at the end of August 2022. This was after an increase of R2.6 billion since August 2021. “It is extremely difficult for Eskom to continue absorbing the shortfall and continue infrastructure expenditure to supply these non-paying municipalities,” said Eskom’s general manager for the central-east cluster which includes the Free…

Three suspects aged between 38 and 49 were expected to appear before the Welkom Magistrates Court on Monday facing charges of fraud, theft, uttering and forgery after allegedly selling fraudulent taxi permits to some operators about three years ago. The suspects were arrested in Welkom over the weekend by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team based in the gold mining town and the Provincial Anti-Corruption team. The Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo says their arrests originate from an incident which took place in 2019 when provincial traffic officials were conducting a stop-and-search operation in Welkom. “During their operation they…

As a property practitioner, I am always happy to see people realise that the aim in property ownership is to pay off your bond or at least to pay off the bond to a level to allow you to invest in extra properties without being over-indebted. At most, the net income from a property investment should cover the bond. With investments, the aim is seldom to make an income but rather to make an income that covers the bond and allow you to expand your portfolio by buying extra properties on which the total bond is fully funded by the…