Author: The Free Stater

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…

A FREE State businessman has been arrested in connection with alleged fraud involving the Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS). Antonio Richard MacDonald, 61, the owner of Radius Sales Merchandising, appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on fraud and money laundering charges. He was granted bail of R5 000 and is expected to return to court in March. MacDonald was taken into custody by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on Monday. According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, MacDonald allegedly applied for TERS funding from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) between 27 March 2020 and 19 June 2021,…

THE South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has lowered the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps), reducing it from 7.75 percent to 7.50 percent for the first quarter of 2025. This adjustment brings the prime lending rate down from 11.25 percent to 11 percent, providing modest relief for borrowers. The decision marks the third consecutive rate cut by the MPC following a peak in interest rates that lasted 14 years. While there was anticipation of a larger 50 bps cut to further stimulate economic growth, Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago revealed that the decision was not…