Author: The Free Stater

Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni has deposited a statement of guilt at the Vosman Police Station in Emalahleni after she was called out for not wearing a mask during a funeral service at the weekend. Mtsweni has further written a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, expressing her regret of the situation, bought 1 000 masks to be distributed in Emalahleni and will go into isolation for two weeks. In a statement issued by her office, Mtsweni acknowledged that as a public figure, she should have known better. She added that she has accepted the necessary fine associated with failing to wear…

Staff Reporter Free State health authorities are worried regular cross-border movements between Thabo Mofutsanyana district and the neighbouring Lesotho and other major centres in the country could have contributed to a recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases in that area. Latest daily figures released by the health department indicate that out of the 469 new cases recorded over a 24-hour period ending January 24, Thabo Mofutsanyana district had 229 cases, nearly 49 percent of the total. Provincial health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi told The Free Stater that this marked increase in COVID-19 cases in the district has prompted authorities to intensify contact…

Staff Reporter All inmates at a Free State correctional facility were recently evacuated after a roof at the prison was blown off following a heavy storm. Department of Correctional Services (DCS) Grootvlei Management Area spokesperson Kgopolelo Jabanyane says the facility, the Ladybrand Correctional Centre, was immediately closed and all inmates were moved to Wepener Correctional Centre. The incident happened on January 20. “The centre was housing a total of 68 sentenced offenders who had to be evacuated to ensure their safety,” said Jabanyane in a statement released on Monday morning. He said the Wepener Correctional Centre, which has an approved…

Staff Reporter Some of the major dams in the Free State are starting to spill while others have gained significantly from the recent rains received across the country. The provincial Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) says dams in the province have recorded an increase of between 88.8 percent and 94.1 percent over the past week. However, DWS spokesperson Marcus Monyakeni warned that water shortages still persist in the province. “Water resources are stretched,” he said in a statement. “. . . as a result, DWS urges (residents) to continue using water sparingly and adhere to water restrictions . .…

Staff Reporter Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe has announced that the province has lost two more teachers, bringing to three the number of teachers who died this week. Makgoe says MB Mohalali, the departmental head of languages at Manyatseng Primary School in Ladybrand, died as a result of COVID-19 complications while Tshidi Motheo, a teacher at Tsholohelo Primary School in Rocklands, Bloemfontein, passed on after suffering a stroke. “We are saddened to hear about the passing on of Ms MB Mohalali due to COVID-19-related complications,” said Makgoe. “It is with a heavy heart to learn about the passing on…

South Africa has lost yet another giant in the arts. Award-winning jazz musician Jonas Mosa Gwangwa has passed away aged 83. Gwangwa’s death falls on the third anniversary of fellow South Africa jazz legend Hugh Masekela’s death and the second anniversary of Zimbabwean legend Oliver Mtukudzi’s death. President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Gwangwa, saying: “Jonas Gwanga ascends to our great orchestra of musical ancestors whose creative genius and dedication to the freedom of all South Africans inspired millions in our country and mobilised the international community against the apartheid system. “In our hour of mourning the loss of…

Staff Reporter A Free State teacher has become one of the latest victims in the provincial education department to succumb to the deadly coronavirus. Education MEC Tate Makgoe wrote on his Twitter page yesterday that the acute respiratory disease had claimed the life of Julius Maruping, a teacher at Gonyane Primary School in Phahameng, Bloemfontein. “I am saddened by the passing away of Mr Julius Maruping who is a teacher at Gonyane,” said Makgoe. “He passed away last night (Thursday) due to COVID-19-related (illness). May his soul rest in peace,” he added. Provincial education Head of Department Advocate Tsoarelo Malakoane…

Staff Reporter Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela has expressed shock at the sudden passing of Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu due to COVID-19 complications. “Our country is in mourning,” Ntombela said in a statement on Thursday evening. “We are all deeply saddened by the death of Minister Mthembu . . . we learnt with shock about (his) sudden passing. The people of our country are dying on a daily basis,” she added. Ntombela said Mthembu’s death served as a bitter reminder that the coronavirus remains a danger amongst us as it can strike anyone at any time. “Through his…

Staff Reporter Police are investigating circumstances surrounding the death of a 28-year-old man who was allegedly beaten to death by a mob after he was suspected of breaking into a house on Thursday morning. Free State provincial police spokesperson Colonel Thandi Mbambo said the man, who has been identified as Petrus Molantoa from Dithotaneng Village in QwaQwa, was allegedly killed in an act of mob justice at Elite near Phuthaditjhaba. Mbambo said the man was allegedly chased from his house following the allegations of housebreaking. She said the man tried to hide on top of another house but the crowd…

In many countries the people who look after “sectional title” units must be professional management companies, known as executive managers in our Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act (STSMA). These management companies are responsible for running body corporate schemes, setting the levies, long-term maintenance funds and so on. Unfortunately, here in South Africa we have trustees who are elected by owners to supervise the day-to-day running of sectional title schemes. They can decide to use a managing agent if they want, or not. Managing agents are only allowed to do what trustees allow them to. The problem is that trustees are…