Author: The Free Stater

Staff Reporter Free State Agriculture and Rural Development MEC William Bulwane is expected to visit Rauch Austin’s Post Farm in Edenburg on Thursday as part of an outreach programme to farmers who have been affected by the recent veld fires. The veld fires caused extensive damage to an estimated 70 000 hectares of grazing land. Most of the affected farmers are in Thaba Nchu, Koffiefontein, Jacobsdal, Petrusburg, Fauresmith, Korronstad, Soutpan, Bultfontein, Bainsvlei and Edenburg. The department’s spokesperson, Zimasa Leputla, said in a statement Bulwane will provide support to the farmers by handing over fodder as well as bags of protein-based…

Staff Reporter Free State police have launched an investigation to establish if three suspects who were overpowered by one of the men they were trying to rob in QwaQwa on Monday could be linked to another robbery which left three students dead in the same area last week. One of the alleged robbers was injured after his gun went off during a tussle with the victim. He then shot and injured the other suspect after he took control of the firearm. “I have instructed the investigating team to look into the possible involvement of this group in the shooting of…

Staff Reporter Islandsite Investments 180 (Pty) Ltd, a company owned by the Gupta family, has been added to the R24.9 million Nulane Investment feasibility study matter as accused number seven. However, Ronica Ragavan, a co-director in the company who was also set to be added to the case today, failed to appear before the Bloemfontein Regional Court as a representative of the company citing medical reasons. Investigating Directorate spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka said as per court procedure, a warrant of arrest was immediately issued unless she fails to appear at the next sitting without giving reason. “A warrant for her arrest…

Staff Reporter The Free State education department says it will hire over 16 000 young people for the positions of education assistants and general school assistants under Phase 2 of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative. The opportunities available include: education assistant – curriculum; education assistant – ICT-e/cadres; education assistant – reading champions; general assistant – child and youth care worker; general assistant- handyman and general assistant sports and enrichment. The positions are open to all South African residents aged 18-35 years old. The applicants should not be turning 36 before March 31, 2022. Provincial education spokesperson Howard Ndaba told The…

Staff Reporter The University of the Free State (UFS) is set to announce plans to fight crime against students following a robbery which left two of them dead in in QwaQwa last week. UFS rector and vice-chancellor Professor Francis Petersen and provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Baile Motswenyane will brief the media on Wednesday on the security challenges faced by students in the Free State and the measures being put in place to ensure improved safety both on and off campus. A statement issued by the university quotes Petersen declaring war on criminals targeting students and urged communities to assist. “Enough…

There are various views on the current property market, but there is always that thought that when times are tough, it is time buy. But are times actually tough? Well, no doubt the South African economy is not in as good a shape as it could be but there is still a good demand for the less expensive properties both to live in and to invest in. With the current low interest rates, it is actually cheaper to own than to let. Like I have said before, today’s interest rates are as low as they were when I came into…

Staff Reporter The Central University of Technology (CUT) has named Braam van Straaten as head coach of the Free State institution’s rugby team. A statement from the university says Van Straaten, who turns 50 next week, boasts a wealth of experience which includes stints at international level with the Wallabies (Australia), Bermuda and Namibia as well as in Super Rugby with the Western Force (Australia), the Sharks and the Southern Kings. According to the club vice-chairperson, André Pawson, the CUT Ixias will again be in excellent hands with the experienced coach in charge. “We are super excited having Braam van…

Staff Reporter Free State police have announced the death of a second University of the Free State (UFS) student following an off-campus robbery incident in the early hours of Wednesday in Phuthaditjhaba, QwaQwa. The Free Stater initially reported that some students living at an off-campus residence in QwaQwa were attacked by unknown assailants in leaving one student dead and two others in hospital with critical injuries. But in a statement released Thursday afternoon, provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said two male students died on the scene while the other two were rushed to hospital. However, one of those who…

Staff Reporter Authorities at the University of the Free State (UFS) are working with the police to establish circumstances that led to the deaths of two students in separate incidents at the institution’s QwaQwa and Bloemfontein campuses on Wednesday. In the first incident which happened in Phuthaditjhaba, QwaQwa, some students living at an off-campus residence were attacked by unknown assailants in the early hours of Wednesday, leaving one student dead and two other in hospital with critical injuries. In the second case, a male student living in one of the residences on the Bloemfontein campus was found dead in his…

Staff Reporter The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the Free State has hit out at the mother body for not heeding their call to have young men and women contesting for at least 25 percent of council seats in the province in the forthcoming local government elections. ANCYL Provincial Congress Preparatory Committee (PCPC) convenor Katleho Mangoejane told a media briefing in Bloemfontein on Wednesday that the youth only achieved a 16 percent threshold and failed to get any young people below the age of 35 onto the candidate lists in two municipalities. He claimed some of the candidate lists could…