Author: The Free Stater

Staff Reporter On of the districts hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Free State has assured residents it has sufficient hospital beds to accommodate people who may need closer attention when fighting the disease. Provincial health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi told The Free Stater in a written response that there is no pressure on hospitals in Thabo Mofutsanyana, which continues to record the highest daily figures for COVID-19 in the province, as bed capacity has been increased in line with the growing number of cases in that district. “These hospitals have increased their bed capacity for more admissions if…

taff Reporter A Welkom family has been left wondering about the safety of their daughter after a stranger recently reached out to them saying she was safe. Tsholofelo Dineo Makhubu, a 26-year-old IT student at the Central University of Technology, left her family home in Riebeekstad, Welkom, on November 20, 2020 and has not made contact with anyone. Her father has told the police that when she left the house at about 11am, she took some of her clothes. It’s not clear where she said she was going. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said in a statement the family…

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…