Author: The Free Stater

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…

The events management company that was appointed to organise this year’s edition of the Macufe Festival says it has appealed a ruling by the Free State High Court which terminated the multi-million-rand contract. On Monday, Judge Phillip Loubser declared that the decision by the provincial Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) to engage C-Squared to run annual musical gala was unlawful. The reasons for the ruling will be given on Thursday. In a statement released on Tuesday, C-Squared said it had noted the court outcome which nullified its appointment but felt the judge erred in arriving at such…

The Free State High Court has annulled the event management contract awarded to a local company by the provincial Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) to organise the annual Macufe Festival. Judge Phillip Loubser did not give reasons for his decision when he ruled on Monday that the appointment of C-Squared to arrange this year’s edition of the event – officially scheduled to run from 2-9 October – was unlawful and should therefore be set aside. “The decisions . . . to award tender SCM/Macufe 01/22 to the second respondent is hereby reviewed, declared unlawful and set aside,”…

The Central University of Technology (CUT) has appointed Professor Pamela Dube as vice-chancellor and principal with effect from January 1 next year. Dube is presently serving as deputy vice-chancellor for student development and support at the University of Western Cape. In a statement released Monday, the CUT described Dube as an accomplished academic who is bringing her vast knowledge and experience in the higher education sector to the Free State institution. The university said she has demonstrated her ability to build partnerships and lead strategic engagements in various levels, including student leadership development support initiatives. “Prof Dube has initiated effective…

The recent 75 basis points increase in interest rates is not likely to be the last this year as South Africa is forced to follow interest rates in the United States. A similar increase can be expected by the end of the year. The reason South Africa needs to follow this overseas trend is that unless we match these increases, the rand value will plummet. The SA currency is trading at over R18 to the US dollar compared to less than R15 only a few months ago. Presently, investors are not encouraged to invest in South Africa because of its…

Former mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning with two others on charges pertaining to the R280-million Estina dairy farm project. Zwane, former Sahara employee Ugeshni Govender and former Islandsite director Ronica Ragavan are facing charges of fraud, theft, corruption, money laundering. Investigating Directorate (ID) spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka says the arrests arise from the alleged looting of the Free State Department of Agriculture coffers through a company called Estina about 10 years ago. It is the state’s case that on July 5, 2012, Estina (Pty) (Ltd) entered into an agreement with the department…

Reports coming from Jagersfontein say another tailings dam wall has collapsed at the Jagersfontein Mine, about 110km northwest of Bloemfontein. A similar disaster occurred at the same mine about two weeks ago, displacing thousands of people and destroying several houses with one person dying. The extent of the latest mishap is yet to be determined. The SABC quotes Kopanong Local Municipality mayor Xolani Tseletsele as saying the situation could have been as result of earlier heavy downpours in the area. Muddy water from the collapsed dam is said to be running through the neighbourhood of Charlesville and the nearby Dennis Louw’s…

The Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court has fined a businessman and his company after they were convicted of contravention of the Tax Administration Act. Magistrate Collen Nenkosie sentenced Itumeleng Ditsoane, 40, to a fine of R10 000 after he was convicted of seven counts of contravention of the Act. In a statement released on Tuesday, National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said the sentence is wholly suspended for a period of three years on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offense during the period of suspension. Ditsoane’s company, Ditsoane Trading and Projects Closed Corporation, was also found guilty on seven counts of…

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule on Friday walked out of the Free State High Court a frustrated man after the asbestos corruption case in which he is charged with 15 others was postponed to January 20 next year. Although the postponement was chiefly as a result of a petition that he and three co-accused are set to take to the Supreme Court of Appeal, Magashule claimed the long adjournment is aimed at excluding him from the party’s elective conference set for December. “It is deliberate because they want to exclude me from participation in the processes leading to Nasrec (the…