Author: The Free Stater

SOUTH Africa “will not be bullied”, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, in what was widely seen as a response to US President Donald Trump’s threats to cut aid over the country’s land expropriation law. Ramaphosa, speaking to a packed Parliament in Cape Town, addressed the shifting global landscape and growing nationalist sentiments, vowing that South Africa would stand firm in defence of its sovereignty. “We are witnessing the rise of nationalism and protectionism, the pursuit of narrow interests and the decline of common cause,” Ramaphosa said to resounding applause. “This is…

A R429 million housing claim against the Free State government has been put on hold, exposing deep-rooted issues in South Africa’s post-apartheid housing policies that still impact thousands of low-income homeowners across the country. At the heart of the case is Hlano Financial Services (Pty) Ltd, a financial institution claiming it is owed a staggering sum for homes once tied to the South African Housing Trust (SAHT), a government-backed initiative aimed at providing affordable housing for lower-income South Africans. The origins of the claim can be traced back to the early 1990s, when the newly elected post-apartheid government sought to…

FREE State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has denied reports of a dispute with Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Dibolelo Mance over the reinstatement of a senior official facing corruption charges amounting to R17.6 million. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Office of the Premier refuted claims published by News24 that Letsoha-Mathae had “overreached herself” in the case involving Khaya Radebe, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s director for supply chain management. Radebe was charged in March 2024 with “serious allegations of acts of gross misconduct involving an amount of R17 613 073.40”, the statement said. The charges included fraud,…

THE High Court in Bloemfontein has ordered former attorney Lebohang Michael Mokhele to furnish security for costs amounting to R300 000 to the South African Legal Practice Council (LPC) before proceeding with his appeal against his removal from the roll of attorneys. The matter, presided over by Judge Naidoo, stems from a judgment delivered on 8 January 2024, wherein Mokhele was struck off the roll following disciplinary proceedings initiated by the LPC. Mokhele subsequently applied for leave to appeal the decision, which was met with opposition from the LPC, prompting the regulatory body to seek security for costs in light…

FREE State municipalities are facing water supply challenges due to the ongoing maintenance of the Lesotho Highlands Water Tunnel, but government intervention is helping to manage the impact. The tunnel, a vital water source for parts of the Free State and Gauteng, has been closed since 31 October 2024 for extensive refurbishment. Despite some delays in Lesotho, the project remains on track to be completed by the end of March 2025, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). “(We are) closely monitoring the progress of the maintenance repair work being done and is satisfied that the work will…

SASOL Ltd’s revised emissions strategy could have significant implications for Sasolburg, a key industrial hub in the Free State province, as the petrochemical giant adjusts its energy mix to meet emissions targets while sustaining operations. Sasolburg, home to the company’s pioneering petrochemical refinery, is among several areas under pressure to reduce harmful air pollution from coal combustion. Sasol, South Africa’s second-largest emitter, faces the challenge of curbing emissions without disrupting key industries or eliminating jobs. Chief executive Simon Baloyi has reaffirmed Sasol’s commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030, but obstacles in securing alternative energy sources…

THE Free State has once again emerged as the country’s top-performing province in the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results, securing an impressive 91 percent pass rate. For six consecutive years, the province has led the nation in educational performance, a feat that deserves commendation. However, while we celebrate this achievement, we must ask ourselves a critical question: what next? Excellence in matric results should not be an end in itself but a means to a greater goal – creating a thriving economy, reducing poverty and addressing pressing social challenges such as unemployment, drug abuse, youth delinquency and disease. If…

FREE State municipalities have lost more than R3 billion worth of potable water over the past five years due to leakages, illegal connections and failing infrastructure, according to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Saki Mokoena. Responding to a question from the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) in the Free State Legislature, Mokoena revealed that the province’s water loss crisis is worsening, with some municipalities losing more than half of their total water supply before it reaches consumers. FF Plus provincial leader Armand Cloete condemned the situation, saying: “It is an absolute disgrace that more than R3 billion worth…

BOITUMELO Mahlako* was just 20 years old when her life was shattered. Walking home from a friend’s house one evening, she was ambushed by members of the notorious “Born to Kill” (BTK) gang. Dragged into an abandoned building, she was brutally assaulted and raped – a crime that left her physically and emotionally scarred. “I thought I was going to die,” she recalls, her voice trembling. “They laughed as if my pain meant nothing.” Boitumelo’s story is just one among many in Botshabelo, a Free State township plagued by gang violence. Now, a landmark court ruling has dealt a severe…

SURGING violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has ignited fears of large-scale instability in one of Africa’s most conflict-ridden countries. On 27 January, the M23 rebel group, backed by soldiers from neighbouring Rwanda, seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. Home to around one-million people, Goma plays an essential role in the country’s economy and administration. Further adding to the chaos was a massive jailbreak at the city’s main prison that occurred on Monday. It resulted in over 4 000 inmates escaping onto the streets and residents locking themselves indoors for safety. Protestors also…