Author: The Free Stater

Staff Reporter Two people were confirmed dead after their car plunged off a bridge into Vaal Dam in the Free State this week. The accident occurred at Prinsloo Magrietta Bridge in the small town of Oranjeville in the northern part of the province. According to the police, a motor vehicle reportedly crashed into the steel barriers of the bridge and fell into the water. Police divers who attended the scene managed to retrieve two lifeless bodies that have since been identified as those of Lucky Hlapo, 20, and Thugela Mnguni, 34. The divers were on Wednesday still searching for a…

Staff Reporter Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has blasted the state for not being “truthful” about its readiness to proceed with the asbestos corruption case as well as a key witness in the matter. Speaking to journalists outside the Free State High Court on Wednesday following the postponement of a pre-trial conference for the asbestos case to October 19, Magashule said the state was fumbling because it did not have a strong case against him and that the charges are politically engineered. “The NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) and law enforcement said they were ready in February,” said Magashule soon after…

The Cheetahs and Lions played to a 44-44 draw in a high-scoring Currie Cup encounter in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night. Both teams scored six tries as the lead changed hands several times. The Lions, trailing by 44-41 shortly before full-time, were camped on the Cheetahs tryline but couldn’t force their way over for a try. After winning several penalties, they opted to go for goal to level matters. There was enough time for a restart but neither team could hang on to the ball and had to settle for a draw. The Cheetahs led 23-17 at half-time. Both teams played…

Staff Reporter A 40-year-old man accused of instigating the violent protests and looting that rocked South Africa recently has appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court following his arrest in the Free State. Phineas Letsoalo, aged 40, made his appearance on Wednesday facing charges relating to incitement to commit public violence. He was remanded in custody and is due back in court on 18 August for a formal bail application. Letsoalo was arrested on Monday by members of the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State Unit, Free State Crime Intelligence and the Tactical Response Team. “In an intelligence-led investigation, the team managed to…

President Cyril Ramaphosa, testifying at a graft inquiry on Wednesday, said he chose to “remain but resist” rather than resign as deputy president when allegations of widespread corruption surfaced under his predecessor Jacob Zuma. Ramaphosa, Zuma’s number two from May 2014 to February 2018, has made the fight against corruption a pillar of his presidency, though opposition parties have criticised him for not doing enough to stop the rot during his time as deputy. Appearing for the second time at an inquiry probing allegations of graft during Zuma’s nine years in power, Ramaphosa said the first option available to him…

Staff Reporter The Free State High Court has ruled that the business rescue practitioners of the Gupta-owned company Islandsite have the legal standing to represent the company in legal proceedings and not the directors of the company. This comes after the NPA’s Investigating Directorate (ID) brought a successful application to restrain the assets of Iqbal Sharma, his company Nulane Investments 204 (Pty) Ltd as well as Islandsite Investments 180 (Pty) Ltd which belongs to Atul and Rajesh Gupta and their wives, Chetali and Arti Gupta, in June 2021. Judge President Musi, in an order delivered electronically on Wednesday, confirmed the…

Staff Reporter Suspended ANC secretary general and former Free State premier Ace Magashule is expected to appear in the Free State High Court today together with several co-accused for a pre-trial conference for a corruption case emanating from a failed asbestos audit and removal project in the province. Magashule and his 15 co-accused who include five companies face over 70 charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering. The case comes from a contract worth over R255 million to audit and remove asbestos roofing on houses across the province which was allegedly irregularly awarded. The other accused in the matter are:…

Staff Reporter The Free State Department of Education says learner registration for Grade R and Grade 1 as well as Grade 8 for the 2022 academic year has been extended to the end of August. The initial registration period which opened at the beginning of April was due to end on July 31. In a statement, the provincial education department said the extension of the registration period had been necessitated by the latest adjustment in the school calendar which saw schools closing earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to unforeseeable circumstances of school term dates changing emanating from the…

Staff Reporter Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza has condemned the killing of a family of five at a farm in the eastern Free State, calling it a barbaric act. In a statement, the minister said she had learnt with shock of the killing of the family at Toekoms Farm just outside Harrismith which was discovered on Saturday. “I . . . call upon the law-enforcement agencies to work around the clock to arrest whoever has done this gruesome act,” she said. Didiza emphasised safety in farming communities is of paramount importance, as farmers play a very…

Staff Reporter Free State police have launched a manhunt for an unknown number of assailants believed to be behind the killing of a family of five at Toekoms Farm just outside Harrismith. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said in a statement the gruesome killing was discovered by a traditional healer who visited the family on Saturday morning. The traditional healer, according to Makhele, had an appointment with the family. “On arrival apparently the traditional healer noticed that the door was not locked,” said Makhele. “He knocked on the door but there was no answer. He waited outside for a…