Author: The Free Stater

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…

BLOEMFONTEIN Celtic, one of South Africa’s most beloved football clubs, are on the verge of making a remarkable comeback to the Premier Soccer League (PSL), as revealed by Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie. The club, once a dominant force on the domestic scene, sold their PSL status in 2021 to businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, who rebranded the team as Royal AM and relocated their base from the Free State to KwaZulu-Natal, leaving a passionate fanbase in Bloemfontein heartbroken. Since financial troubles under former chairman Max Tshabalala forced the sale, Celtic have struggled in lower divisions but now appear set for a dramatic…

TWO-TIME Rugby World Cup winner Frans Steyn is wasting no time in setting new standards for the Cheetahs as he prepares to make his professional coaching debut this season. After missing out on the Currie Cup final last season and managing only one win from four matches in the Challenge Cup, he believes the Free State side has let supporters down and must now focus on eliminating inconsistencies. “We did not perform as we should have. We let people down. That’s something we need to iron out,” Steyn said. In a major shake-up, Steyn has taken coaching control of the…

SOUTH Africa head coach Hugo Broos has acknowledged that Egypt will be their toughest challenge in Group B at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. However, he remains optimistic about Bafana Bafana’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages. Drawn alongside Egypt, Zimbabwe and Angola, South Africa aim to build on their third-place finish at AFCON 2023 and challenge for their first continental title since 1996. Speaking after the AFCON 2025 draw in Rabat on Monday, Broos expressed confidence in his squad but recognised the difficulty of the task ahead. He highlighted Egypt’s experience and resurgence as…

THE University of the Free State (UFS) has been ranked among the world’s top 1,000 universities in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, with several disciplines improving on last year’s performance. The annual rankings assess universities globally based on five key indicators: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. The methodology considers academic reputation, student-to-staff ratio, research impact and international collaboration. UFS subject rankings in 2025: A “+” indicates the university is ranked at or beyond a specific position, while a range, such as 801-1 000, means the institution falls within that…

FOR the sixth consecutive year, the Free State has emerged as South Africa’s top-performing province in the matric results – a remarkable feat that highlights the province’s commitment to academic excellence. To commemorate this achievement, The Free Stater has published a special supplement, now available in digital format. This exclusive edition showcases the province’s outstanding results, schools, top students and insights from education leaders. It also highlights the dedication of teachers, parents and policymakers who have contributed to this historic streak of excellence. Read and share the special supplement here: https://flipbookpdf.net/web/site/b083bbcbf637b2685f9fd889638f19d5a76385b4202501.pdf.html Join us in celebrating this incredible milestone – because success deserves to…

IN a landmark ruling against organised crime, the Free State High Court has delivered a devastating blow to the notorious “Born to Kill” (BTK) gang, sentencing its members to life behind bars and decades of imprisonment for their reign of terror in the province. The 12 convicted gang members received staggering sentences ranging from 12 years to life imprisonment for a brutal spree of violence that plunged the Botshabelo community into fear. Their heinous crimes included murder, attempted murder, housebreaking, robbery with aggravating circumstances, arson, malicious injury to property, and rape. The convictions stem from a night of bloodshed on…

POLICE have made a major breakthrough in the brutal killing of two constables in Phuthaditjhaba, arresting a suspect who was attempting to flee on horseback near a border with Lesotho. The suspect, who is in South Africa illegally, was apprehended on Wednesday by a multi-disciplinary law-enforcement team. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed that the suspect was found in possession of a stolen cellphone and a firearm believed to have been used in the murders. “He was caught on horseback near the Monontsha port of entry in an apparent attempt to escape into Lesotho,” Mogale said. “The suspect was also…

PREMIER MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has lauded the Free State’s remarkable performance in the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, emphasising that the consistent academic success reflects a collective commitment to excellence in education. In her congratulatory message, she expressed immense pride in the Free State’s achievement of a 91.0 percent pass rate, which once again secured the province’s top spot nationally. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the Free State has led the country in matric results. “Quality education lifts people out of poverty and unlocks their potential,” Letsoha-Mathae said. “We are proud of our number one spot as the…