Author: The Free Stater

Staff Reporter Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela has visited families of the eight people who perished on Sunday morning after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away by a flooded river in Steynsrus near Kroonstad in the northern Free State. The incident, which happened at Somerset East Farm, claimed the lives of seven children aged between four and 13 years old and the driver of the car. Ntombela, who was accompanied by MECs William Bulwane and Sam Mashinini, described the incident as devastating as the eight lives were lost within minutes. “Their parents are, without any doubt, in…

Staff Reporter Three alleged criminals are dead after succumbing to their injuries when they were shot by Kroonstad farmer Pieter André Swart, 37, following a scuffle at Boskoppie Farm. Police reported on Thursday that Swart was surprised by four suspects when he opened his door to the house at about 7:20am. The four, according to the police, stabbed Swart in the neck and on the head in a bid to overpower him. He managed to get his firearm and fired several shots. “Three suspects were fatally wounded and another managed to flee the scene,” said an earlier police report. Swart…

The heavens have opened up in recent weeks and South Africa together with most of her neighbours have received significant amounts of rainfall. This has seen several rivers in the country flowing again and the dams filling up. Tropical Cyclone Eloise, which brought heavy storms to the country through Mozambique, also spread to Swaziland and Botswana, among others. Most of our major dams are now at full capacity thanks to the tropical storms that dropped tonnes of rain. Most of the rivers have also recorded improved flows compared to the same time last year. Our dams are built in such…

Staff Reporter South Africa’s plans to roll out the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine this week have been put on hold after it emerged that the much-touted drug is not strong enough to subdue the local variant of the coronavirus. And as if not enough, the vaccine, which arrived in the country on Monday last week, expires in April — about three months earlier than expected. The vaccine has a shelf life of about six months. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told a televised media briefing on Sunday night that the government is now working on getting the Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccine…

Staff Reporter Police in Steynsrus are investigating circumstances under which seven children and an adult drowned after the car they were travelling in was swept into a river by a strong water current. The incident happened at Somerset East Farm at about 11am on Sunday in the small farming town which is about 50km from Kroonstad in the northern Free State. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said in a statement the vehicle, a white Honda Ballade, was carrying three men and seven children – four boys and three girls. The driver, who also perished in the incident, has been…

Staff Reporter Ivermectin manufacturer Merck has warned that there is no conclusive evidence to prove the drug is effective in treating COVID-19. In a statement released on Thursday, the company said more studies are still being conducted to check the drug’s efficacy and warned it should be administered cautiously. “Company scientists continue to carefully examine the findings of all available and emerging studies of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 for evidence of efficacy and safety,” said the company. It pointed out that its studies to date have found no scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect against COVID-19 from…

Staff Reporter The Bloemfontein Regional Court has sentenced a 50-year-old man — who posed as an advocate and swindled scores of people on the pretext of representing them — to an effective 10 years in prison. Ntate Manoel Mabesa was convicted by magistrate Marina Voges on five counts of fraud, uttering and contravention of Section 9 of the Justice of the Peace of Commissioner of Oath Act. His uncouth practice is believed to have run between March 8, 2012 and June 27, 2014 when he was eventually caught while “representing” a client in court. The five counts of fraud and…

Staff Reporter The Free State recorded a 12.5 percent increase in farm attacks last year despite a hard lockdown with a night curfew. This is contained in a report set to be released next month by Free State Agriculture (FSA). “Comparing 2020 with 2019, the agricultural community is concerned about the rise in attacks and murders,” FSA said in a statement. It said between January and December last year, 60 farm attacks and 12 murders were recorded, while in 2019 a total of 52 farm attacks and 11 murders were documented. “This increase is evident despite three months of hard…

We have previously talked about the fact that it is as cheap to buy as it is to rent – end of story. But you still need to know what you are doing. Being a tenant means that you are not responsible for looking after the property you are renting. As a tenant your agreement with your landlord is to: Pay your full rental, on time at the beginning of the month in advance. Pay for the services that you use, namely water and electricity. Keep your home neat and clean and free of insect or rodent infestation. Repair anything…

Staff Reporter A 37-year-old Bangladeshi national is expected to appear in the Bethlehem Magistrates Court tomorrow facing a charge of raping a minor. The man, who operates a tuck shop in Bohlokong, was arrested on Tuesday after the mother of a four-year-old girl reported that her child had allegedly been raped by the suspect. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said the mother of the girl saw her acting strangely and pressed her to explain. “. . . she remained quiet and later confided to her aunt that the suspect had sexual intercourse with her,” Makhele in a statement. “Police…