Author: The Free Stater

The leader of the DA in the Free State, Werner Horn, says people should not be persuaded by how they have voted in local government elections in the past, but whether the promises made by different parties have been met. Horn, who is leading his party’s campaign in the province, told The Free Stater in a wide-ranging interview that the DA has set its sights on at least four municipalities in the province where it believes the ruling ANC will get less than 50 percent of votes because it has failed to meet its promises of improved service delivery and…

Staff Reporter A learner at a school in Olive Hill, Navalsig, in Bloemfontein is behind bars together with three accomplices after they were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly hatching a plan to break into his school and steal 18 laptops as well as other items valued at about R80 000. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said the suspects, aged between 17 and 25, were rounded up in Ipopeng and Freedom Square in Mangaung following an intelligence-driven operation. He said the school principal received an alarm notification indicating there was something amiss at the school. “Upon arrival at about 08:30 he…

The Free Stater caught up with Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Free State chairperson Mandisa Makhesini on the phone while on a campaign mission in Thabo Mofutsanyana district. The province has 23 municipalities, six of which are in that district. These include Maluti-a-Phofung, Dihlabeng, Setsoto, Nketoana, Mantsopa and Phumelela local municipalities. Makesini expressed confidence that her party would make significant gains in municipalities across the province but however expressed concern that many people were not interested in voting because they have not seen change over the years. She however believes they have been able to convince more young people to vote…

Staff Reporter Businesswoman Ronica Ragavan has been formally charged in the R25 million Nulane Investments 204 (Pty) Ltd tender fraud case involving the Free State Department of Agriculture. Ragavan, a well-known Gupta associate, became the eighth accused in the matter when she made her initial appearance on Friday at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court. Investigating Directorate (ID) spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka says Ragavan is facing fraud and money laundering charges. The charges emanate from the time she was a director at Islandsite Investments 180 (Pty) Ltd, a company owned by the Gupta family. “Ragavan faces two counts of fraud and money laundering…

As part of our extensive coverage of the lead-up to the local government elections set for November 1, The Free Stater will feature different political parties, analysts, community activists and other players every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. To kick it off, we speak to University of the Free State academic Professor Sethulego Matebesi on how he views these municipal elections given the myriad of issues faced by communities across the country. Matebesi is involved in research and advocacy work on social movements, protests, governance and public participation at local government level as well as mining in South Africa. How do…

Personally, I find the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act a total waste of time. If anyone were to use your personal information to your detriment there have always been ways in which to take legal action to prevent that continuing. But now we have the situation that some trustees and managing agents are afraid to tell the truth in case some owner or tenant takes offence. Take for instance a report to owners showing those units which are in arrears with levies or service fees. Are you allowed to put in the name of the debtor or can you…

Staff Reporter The ANC in the Free State has suspended its chief whip in the provincial Legislature, Vusi Tshabalala, following accusations that he was working with independent candidates for the forthcoming local government elections. A statement issued by Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) spokesperson Oupa Khoabane said Tshabalala will not be allowed to conduct any party activities until the matter is finalised. “The ANC Free State has resolved to suspend . . . Vusi Tshabalala as a member of the ANC with immediate effect,” read part of the statement. “This affects his participation in all the activities of the ANC. “The…

Staff Reporter Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality says it is investigating circumstances surrounding a protest staged by the newly recruited metro police on Wednesday during which they blocked all entrances to its head office, the Bram Fischer Building. All operations came to a standstill as the metro police would not allow municipal workers and security guards as well as councillors and visitors into the building demanding that acting city manager Sello More should sign their appointment letters which they have been waiting for, for several months. They used the new metro police vehicles and collapsible barricades to block all entrances to the…

Staff Reporter The five participants from the Free State who entered the National Teaching Awards (NTA) have all claimed top honours as overall winners at the prestigious annual competition. First to put the province on the map at the glittering ceremony held at the Emperor’s Palace, Johannesburg, on Wednesday was Nneheng Thamae from Megheleng Primary School in Thabo Mofutsanyane district who came out tops in the Grade R Teaching Category. Awonke Tshefu from Unicom Agricultural School in Motheo district was also first in the Physical Science Teaching Category. Jerry Bongane Mokoena from Kgolathuto Secondary School in Thabo Mofutsanyane district came…

Staff Reporter Police in QwaQwa have arrested a 29-year-old man from Makgaolwaneng Village after he sought medical treatment at a local hospital following a tussle with a woman he attempted to rape but was fiercely bitten on the ear and finger. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said the woman, aged 22, told the police that she was attacked on Sunday night at about 22:30 while walking home alone from a nearby tavern. “Apparently, she was approached by a man known to her who suddenly grabbed and tried to strangle her but she fought back and managed to push him…