Author: The Free Stater

Electricity has simply become unaffordable. And, as if that’s not enough, it’s not always available. In recent months, the power utility has been churning out media statements explaining the loss of generation at various power stations and pleading with consumers to use electricity sparingly. While the updates are important, consumers naturally expect electricity to be available whenever they turn on the switch. The recent tariff hike of over seven percent in Mangaung Metro has proved quite steep to most households and it might not be far-fetched to expect another round of hikes in the coming months. I strongly believe it’s…

 Six men were due to appear in the Marquard Magistrates Court on Friday after being found in possession of eight network batteries believed to have been stolen. Police spokesperson for the eastern Free State, Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, said the suspects were arrested following a joint effort by members of the SA Police Service, private security and farmers. He said police received information from the community at about 3am last Wednesday saying some unknown men were digging up network boxes and cutting copper inside a manhole. “The police activated and mobilised other members and arrested the first suspect who is…

A 64-year-old man has been arrested after stabbing one person in the stomach with a broken garden scissor and injuring the victim’s family while holding them hostage. Police say they were called to a place in Verkeerdevlei on Wednesday evening where a person had been stabbed in the stomach. Upon arrival, they found a 53-year-old man who had been stabbed in the stomach with the broken scissor. The suspect had already fled the scene. “The victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment,” said Captain Stephen Thakeng in a brief statement. Further investigations revealed that the same suspect went to…

Free State police are looking for an unknown number of suspects who overpowered a security guard at Malebaleba Primary School in Kutloanong in Odendaalsrus, near Welkom, before making off with several computers and cash. Police say the 43-year-old security guard was on duty when he saw an unknown man walking within the school premises with a torch. Captain Stephen Thakeng, the police spokesperson for the area, said one shot was fired and the alleged criminals forced their way to where he was stationed. “A crowbar was used to forcefully open the classroom where the security officer was,” Thakeng said in…

Eskom has warned that due to a shortage of generation capacity, Stage 2 loadshedding might be implemented at short notice between 16:00 and midnight over the next three days. In a statement released on Tuesday, the national power utility said the reduced capacity is due to delays in returning some generation units to service. “The delay in returning a generation unit to service each at Arnot, Kusile and Koeberg power stations, as well as the failure of a generation unit each at Medupi, Hendrina, Camden and two units at Majuba Power Station, have exacerbated the capacity constraints,” read part of…

Police in the eastern Free State have arrested a man believed to have fatally struck his friend with an iron rod on the head following an argument on Monday morning. The daring man was arrested on Tuesday at the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court while attending another case in which he is an accused person. Police spokesperson for the area, Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, said in a statement the two arrived home at Maboshwane Village in QwaQwa at about 5am coming from an outing. He said the two sat near coal stove while drinking some alcohol. “The two got into an unknown…

Bainsvlei police in Bloemfontein have launched a manhunt for suspects involved in business robbery at a chain store at The Walk Centre in Langenhoven Park on Wednesday. The complainant, who is the manager of the shop, told the police that two men walked into the shop pretending to be customers before robbing the shop. “Suddenly they pulled out firearms and accosted the four cashiers and instructed them to walk back into the complainant’s office,” police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said in a statement. “The suspects robbed the shop of different brands of cellular telephones as well as an undisclosed…

A duet unit is by definition a two-unit sectional title scheme. Or at least is supposed to be. However, I have seen these mini schemes with up to five units. Not sure how they get away with it. Either way they are still mini sectional title schemes and have to be treated like their big brothers – but they aren’t. Usually, each owner has their own rates account, own water and electricity account and just does their own thing. But that is where the complications come in. Some owners have a bond and thus insurance. Some bought cash and forgot.…

Free State police have warned truck drivers not to stop and rest at unsecured truck-stops after one driver was pursued by thieves who stole six tyres from his vehicle near Trompsburg on Tuesday morning. The suspects, who could be operating as a syndicate, allegedly woke the driver who was sleeping in the truck at about 05:00, as they tried to strip the vehicle of its tyres. Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said the driver peeped through the window to check and saw three unknown males standing next to his truck fiddling with the tyres. “He switched on the truck attempting…

Welkom police say two suspects aged between 30 and 35 are wanted in connection with a house robbery incident that occurred in Bedelia in May. Police spokesperson for the area, Captain Stephen Thakeng, said the pair allegedly surprised their victim while she was alone in her house on May 31 and forced her into the bedroom before making off with an LG smart television set. According to the police, the two men, who were said to be speaking a foreign African language, entered the house through the kitchen door at about 11:35 claiming they had been sent by the father…