The Manguang Metropolitan Municipality has issued a notice warning residents in Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu about reduced water pressure as a result of a decline in catchment water quality According to MMM this has been made evident by a significant reduction in water clarity (high suspended solids loading) this has necessitated an increased frequency of the clearing sludge and filter backwashing at the treatment facility which is impacting operational storage levels at the Lesaka reservoirs,” MMM explained Residents are encouraged to use water sparingly to assist as reservoir levels stabilise Bloemfontein Courant is owned by Mahareng Publishing a subsidiary of Caxton Community Papers and joint venture between Caxton CTP and Central Media Group © 2024 Bloemfontein Courant. Developed by Digital Platforms The Kimberley Diamond Cup (KDC) Grand Slam provides a platform for amateur and professional skateboarders to compete and make their mark in the skateboarding world Scores of skaters showed off their talent and skills in order to win R100,000 in prize money at the Thaba Nchu skate park on Saturday (8/2) The Kimberley Diamond Cup world skateboarding championships first took place in 2013 and the event has been held in the Northern Cape capital since then “There have been a couple of milestones the programme has achieved along the way we’ve had major international stars participating in the programme I can mention American professional skateboarder Nyjah Huston,” said KDC programme manager Andile Mlamu “We’ve been able to produce athletes that have gone and participated in major world events that are related to skateboarding in the province we have built four regional skate parks and in those skate parks we have appointed young people to run coaching clinics for aspiring skaters.” When we had the Grand Slam in Kimberley last week Saturday we got to the skatepark and met a young man who travelled by bus from Mozambique and slept in the skate park’s toilets “When we asked him how he was going to get back he said he’s going to win the Kimberley Grand Slam and go back with the prize money.” Noel Skate Cossa from Mozambique won R15,000 as a first prize in the Bloemfontein grand slam that took place in Thaba Nchu on Saturday (8/2) The Grand Slam has six preliminary events leading up to the grand finale that will be held in Kimberley on Friday The Grand Slams have attracted over 500 skateboarders from across the country Many skateboarders from Bloemfontein attended it in Thaba Nchu and complained about the lack of a skate park in the city itself “I have been skating for four years and I’m used to skating in the streets because we don’t have a skate park in Bloemfontein so this is a nice feeling and experience,” said Mbulelo Skotha from Lourier Park “I have been skating for eleven years now and I love skateboarding it is the best thing that has ever happened in my life and this event totally exceeded my expectations and now I hope that they can go bigger and better,” said Dillon Johnson from Bloemfontein Skateboarders came out in numbers at the skate park in Thaba Nchu The KDC will be going to Durban on Friday (15/2) and on Saturday 1 March to Cape Town for the rest of the Grand Slam events OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg North West scholar transport operators will finally receive payments Vrystaatse ouerpaar in hof ná kinders doodbrand Besoekers sprakeloos oor skouspelagtige Augrabies UV ontken aantygings oor buitelandse werknemers Ondersoek duur voort ná skietery op Lichtenburg Oekraïne vra Suid-Afrika om ontvoerde kinders te help terugbring Wyle pous Franciskus het begrafnisrituele vooraf vereenvoudig Mianmar-aardbewing: Hulp stroom in ná meer as 1 700 sterftes Suid-Afrikaners wen gesogte blommeskou-trofee in China Deputy Minister for Public Service and Administration handed over school uniforms to learners at Strydom Secondary School in Thaba Nchu located 65 km east of Bloemfontein in the Free State This generous donation was made possible by the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) the school was later converted into a high school that predominantly serves pupils from Zone 1 and 2 in Thaba Nchu Free State Education Mangaung Metro District Director shared that the school has consistently achieved a pass rate of over 85% for the past five years thanks to the dedication of both the teaching staff and the active involvement of parents in the School Governing Body (SGB) Deputy Minister Kekana emphasized the importance of the donation stating that it ensures “learners from disadvantaged backgrounds can access education without the indignity of worn-out or torn uniforms.” She added “This donation also helps learners stay focused on their studies and personal growth.” a Thaba Nchu native and Principal Officer at GEMS expressed that the donation would not only boost the recipients’ confidence but would likely contribute to an improved pass rate Silas Maseloa thanked the Deputy Minister for the generous gesture and expressed his commitment to raising the school’s pass rate The Deputy Minister also visited Ereskuld Primary School to assess the learning environment and address challenges that affect teaching faces difficulties such as a teacher shortage the relocation of parents leading to reduced funding Deputy Minister Kekana pledged to raise these concerns with the relevant authorities as the District Development Model champion of the Mangaung Metro and promised to return for follow-up visits Deputy Minister Kekana’s visit and donation to the Thaba Nchu learners reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to education as highlighted by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2025 State of the Nation Address: “Central to our efforts to end poverty and develop our economy is providing decent quality education to every young South African.” Home | South Africa Angry community members of Ratlou Extension in Thaba Nchu want all foreign-owned spaza shops and warehouses to close down with immediate effect This follows the death of the eight-year-old Nkosinathi Modise – after he and his three siblings allegedly consumed snacks bought at a local spaza shop Sunday – Modise and his siblings were admitted into a local Free State hospital The children were later discharged but Modise’s condition changed on Christmas Day Nkosinathi’s mother – Kedidimetse Modise says the family is busy planning for the burial following their tragic loss and they are still struggling to come to terms with it we spent the day together with his siblings – the four of them until around 3 pm when he died inside the house Paramedics came checked him and confirmed that he is no more I had already called the neighbours then the mortuary vehicle came to fetch the child.” William Modise says when he received an urgent call to come home “We are deeply affected by what happened I just received a call while at home from the uncle of the mother Coming here I found there’re already people converged in the yard and at that time they were waiting for the police to come.” Community leaders have called on the Mangaung metro municipality to work with them to close down all foreign-owned shops in the area Chairperson of the Sthiba Council of Joint Forums “We don’t want any shops of the foreigners to operate within the perimeters of Thaba Nchu because we are very clear Our community is very angry therefore to control the anger of the community foreigners must know and understand that we don’t hate them We love our kids we love our people we don’t want to lose many lives therefore let them cooperate with us as we are cooperating with the police and all the officials They must close down their shops now not tomorrow not anytime else,” he explains This recent death forced community members into the streets to ensure all spaza shops in the area remain closed more than 100 learners received medical attention in hospitals across the Free State after they allegedly consumed suspected contaminated food and expired snacks and sweets A seven-year-old boy from Thaba Nchu in the Free State has died after he and his three friends allegedly consumed snacks bought from a local spaza shop The four children were admitted to Albert Moroka Hospital on Christmas Day for treatment and were later released the young boy passed away at home after complaining of a stomach ache The other three have since been cleared of the suspected food poisoning This tragic incident adds to a growing list of similar cases across South Africa more than 20 children have died from suspected foodborne illnesses raising serious concerns about food safety standards died after consuming snacks from a local spaza shop He and three other boys had eaten crisps offered by a shopkeeper While the other boys were hospitalized and later stabilized the 13-year-old succumbed to complications over 40 pupils from Daluvuyo Primary School in the Free State were hospitalized with symptoms of food poisoning after allegedly consuming snacks from a nearby shop Three of these children exhibited severe symptoms A five-year-old boy from Diepkloof died after eating snacks purchased from a local spaza shop This incident followed the deaths of five children in Naledi the South African government has classified foodborne illnesses as a national disaster President Cyril Ramaphosa announced immediate measures including the closure of spaza shops linked to child deaths and a nationwide inspection of informal food vendors The government has also mandated that all spaza shops register with local municipalities to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations The Free State Department of Health has suspended food sales by vendors at schools following these incidents “We are implementing immediate measures to safeguard the health and well-being of our learners.” The spate of food poisoning cases has led to heightened tensions in affected communities residents have resorted to looting spaza shops suspected of selling contaminated food Community leaders and parents are calling for stricter enforcement of food safety standards and greater accountability from shop owners A food safety specialist from the University of the Free State suggested that some of the food sold in spaza shops might be deliberately contaminated 🔴Central News Weekly Edition 087🔴 Download the Latest Edition | Top Story: “Building ‘The Ngwathe We Want’: Dr Mothamaha Drives Cost-Effective Solutions with New Fleet Acquisitions” https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues  Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content,  Podcasts To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin #centralnewsza  #news #politics #business  and website in this browser for the next time I comment The three Free State police constables whose bodies were retrieved from the Hennops River in Centurion Gauteng will be given police official funerals The families of the deceased officers will hold separate funeral services Boipelo Senoge and Cebekhulu Linda will be laid to rest on Thursday and Friday next week in Bloemfontein while Keamogetswe Buys will be buried in Thaba Nchu on Saturday next week Their joint memorial service will be held on Tuesday next week “We agreed with the families to say that the funerals will be held over three days The funeral of Constable Senoge will be on Thursday; the funeral of Constable Linda will be on Friday The funeral of Constable Buys will be on Saturday because as the organisation we are going to give them official police funerals,” says Free State Premier Police leadership addressed the media at the Hennops River in Centurion in Pretoria yesterday after the vehicle in which the constables were travelling in was recovered Athlenda Mathe says they will commence with a forensic investigation of the vehicle “Suspicion is that these constables may have plunged into the river as a result of a vehicle accident Our vehicle accident unit is in possession of the vehicle that was retrieved yesterday … they will be able to give us the answers that we’ve been looking as to what exactly happened,” she says Deceased Constables | Vehicle positively identified at Hennops River: A search has been launched following the discovery of a deceased male at the Old Thaba Nchu Airport According to police spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli the police responded to a report of a lifeless body found in an open field estimated to be between 18 and 35 years old Kareli added that the victim sustained severe injuries “The body was in an advanced state of decomposition The deceased also had a tattoo of praying hands on his right leg,” he mentioned and police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in identifying the victim or apprehending the perpetrators there are no known witnesses or suspects.” Anyone with information is urged to contact Thaba Nchu SAPS Detective Captain Lobeko Molaoa on 082-467-6612 or submit an anonymous tip-off via the MySAPS App Mangaung Metro spokesperson Qondile Khedama announced on Monday that residents are being alerted to a rapid decline in catchment water quality resulting in reduced water pressure in Botshabelo there has been a significant drop in water clarity marked by a high loading of suspended solids which has placed pressure on treatment operations at the Lesaka reservoirs The situation has necessitated an increased frequency of sludge clearing and filter backwashing at the treatment facility which in turn is impacting operational storage levels Khedama confirmed that the areas of Botshabelo and adjacent communities are expected to experience reduced water pressure as the City undertakes corrective operational measures to address the challenge The City has urged residents to use water sparingly during this period to help stabilise the levels at the reservoirs while the technical teams work on solutions “Members of the community will be constantly updated,” Khedama said emphasising that the municipality remains committed to minimising inconvenience Mangaung Metro apologised for the inconvenience caused and reaffirmed its dedication to restoring normal water supply levels as soon as possible The issue of catchment water quality degradation is being closely monitored with additional interventions being explored to strengthen water security for affected areas Residents are encouraged to report any abnormalities such as severely discoloured water or complete outages to municipal call centres for immediate attention The municipality’s water team continues to prioritise maintenance of reservoir levels and the quality of drinking water supplied to the communities As water quality management becomes increasingly important due to environmental and seasonal challenges Mangaung Metro officials are working alongside national and provincial partners to implement sustainable long-term solutions to safeguard water supply across the region Updates regarding the progress of repairs and operational improvements will be shared regularly with residents through municipal communication platforms and local media outlets 🔴 Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 102 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: “Hope for Matjhabeng as Executive Mayor Khalipha Rolls Out Plan for Renewal After ANC Reinstatement” https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Central-News-Issue-102.pdf Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content,  Podcasts The community of Ratlou extension in Thaba Nchu remains calm pending the post-mortem results of the eight-year-old boy who died on Christmas Day It is alleged that Nkosinathi Modise died after he and his three siblings consumed snacks bought from a spaza shop They were all admitted to the hospital complaining about stomach aches and were discharged on December 23 have called for spaza shops to be closed in the area while waiting for the results Secretary of the Sthiba Council of Joint Forums Peter Kgolokoane says they are happy the spaza shop in question is closed “We feel much relieved now that we see that the shop is still closed that gives us relief and confidence from the government because the premier with her entourage they gave us an assurance they will do something about this matter and we must remain calm and allow the law to take its course Until such time as when the results of the post-mortem are out then the matter will be revisited and then they promised us that they will come personally to deliver the results to the community,” says Kgolokoane The vegetable project at the Noga’s Post settlement outside Thaba’Nchu in the Free State This harvest was sold in nearby villages and to schools while some of the onions were also donated to persons with disabilities and the elderly in the community The money collected through the sale of this crop is used to buy inputs for the next planting cycle while it also produced an income for those involved The community members were also proud that they were able to donate some of the onions to Kgosi Gaboilelwe and Mohumagadi (queen mother) Gaongalelwe Moroka Kgosi Gaboilelwe (the then head woman of Noga’s Post) AfriForum and Saai kicked off this agricultural development project at Noga’s Post in 2020 The vegetable garden of approximately 0,75 hectares was moved closer to the community and equipped with a borehole and a solar-powered drip irrigation system as it was originally without irrigation and was located far from the community across a stream that made access impossible after heavy rains Although the garden is designed and equipped as a communal garden the relevant community members are the owners of and responsible for specific beds within the garden in which individual ownership is taken but there is still collaboration and support from experts “Agricultural development is a key part of our plan to improve the living conditions of the Barolong Boo Seleka cultural community which takes ownership and works with such perseverance to create a future for themselves It is gratifying to see our communities within our kingdom have heeded the call to utilize constructive support and taking their future into their own hands,” says Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka Kgosi of the Barolong Boo Seleka cultural community “Acquiring income through the sale of products from the project is an important step in the community members’ journey to self-reliance It is a privilege to work with community members who take ownership and work with commitment to improve their living conditions,” says Nantes Kelder National Project Coordinator of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation at AfriForum “Saai’s involvement in agricultural development projects like this focuses on the mechanisation and commercialisation of small scale farming It is truly fulfilling to see how the community grows and progresses on the journey to commercialisation,” says Leon Lourens agricultural land with great potential available in the communal and rural areas in the country but at the same time there is a significant lack of financing and expert support for agricultural development projects This is where AfriForum and Saai step in to collaborate with traditional leaders and their communities to make a positive impact at grassroots level Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation at AfriForum which are undertaken on the basis of mutual recognition and respect good relations and cooperation which are essential to ensure a free safe and prosperous future for all cultural communities here at the southern tip of Africa,” concludes Uys The Free State Department of Social Development has condemned the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl from Thaba Nchu The teenager who is now pregnant was allegedly raped by a 45-year-old man who is known to her family and lives in the neighbourhood from June last year when she was 13. The victim’s mother says she discovered that her daughter was pregnant when she bought Christmas clothes. A rape case was opened and the suspect is in police custody. He is expected to appear in Selosesha Magistrate’s Court again on Friday for a bail application. Provincial Social Development spokesperson Thembile Nqabeni says they will work with other departments to support the girl. “MEC Mathabo Leeto strongly condemns this barbaric act of crime rape, drugging and subsequent impregnation of a 13-year-old child in Thaba Nchu, Free State. MEC Mathabo Leeto earlier today, directed social workers and officials to visit the family and provide psycho-social support and family counselling.” “The department is confident that the judicial system will ensure that justice is served for this young girl, with the perpetrator receiving the harshest sentence. Partnership between Department of Social Development, Department of Health, and Department of Education will be strengthened to ensure continued support to the child and her family, as we are nearing the re-opening of schools for 2025,” explains Nqabeni. the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality revisited the incomplete Piggery Project at the Feloana Rural Trust in Thaba Nchu The continued abandonment of this project is a severe blow to the local community which has been denied the economic benefits and employment opportunities the piggery was meant to provide The lack of progress reflects poorly on the municipality’s commitment to delivering essential services and infrastructure development The failure to complete the project has directly contributed to the rising levels of unemployment in the area without job prospects or a means to support their families Unemployment in Feloana and surrounding areas has reached critical levels causing socio-economic hardships and a growing sense of despair initially seen as a beacon of hope for local job creation and economic stimulation now stands as a symbol of broken promises and mismanagement The community has been left frustrated and disillusioned with many questioning the municipality’s willingness and ability to fulfil its obligations to its citizens The DA will urgently follow up on this matter and ensure that residents receive a detailed update on recent developments We demand a clear timeline from the city management for the project’s completion and will hold them accountable until this long-overdue project is finalised we will push for a thorough investigation into the mismanagement of funds and the failure to deliver on promised services which have directly impacted the livelihoods of the community We call on the city management to prioritise this project as its completion is essential for creating jobs and restoring the community’s trust in their local government The DA remains committed to fighting for the rights of residents in Thaba Nchu and across Mangaung are completed and the benefits they were intended to bring are finally realised registered non profit organisation in South AfricaReg No: 011-895 NPO ───   KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:39 Sat but businesses must follow the rules and respect the rights of their employees.” The Free State Premier has taken a strong stance against the continuous exploitation of workers in some private sectors within the province This follows a series of complaints about poor working conditions at a steel company recently opened in Thaba Nchu Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae visited Hangda Steel Company on Thursday (3/10) to address concerns about the company’s treatment of employees which received R300 million in investment to convert scrap metal into steel was initially seen as a beacon of hope for the local community with 150 locals employed and plans to expand the workforce to 500 with allegations of management expelling workers for joining unions as well as reports of workplace injuries and even deaths Letsoha-Mathae highlighted the plight of Ntate Shuping who suffered severe burns to his arms leading to the permanent loss of use of his arms Shuping expressed his frustration to Letsoha-Mathae and Makume stating management had not provided adequate support following his accident “The Free State welcomes businesses that create job opportunities for our people,” said Letsoha-Mathae we will not tolerate the exploitation of workers Some of the complaints we have received are absolutely horrific which is why we are here to see the situation for ourselves.” Some of the workers at Hangda Steel Company in Thaba Nchu She called on investors to adhere to provincial labor laws and cautioned businesses against exploiting workers in their pursuit of profits but businesses must follow the rules and respect the rights of their employees We cannot allow anyone to abuse our people for financial gain,” Letsoha-Mathae added Expired goods and alcohol sold without a permit were discovered inside the premises a tuck shop operating on the company’s premises selling expired goods and alcohol without a permit was also discovered The alcohol was confiscated by law enforcement agencies as the business did not have a permit to sell alcohol Members of the Sediba Irrigation Scheme Cooperative in Thaba Nchu, in the Free State have called on the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to release farming equipment worth R13.9 million. The equipment has been sitting idle at the Sediba Trust village since 2020 This is after the keys to the equipment were taken by some officials and they rented out some of the equipment to other established farmers without residents seeing a cent a harvester and other farming equipment which was meant to empower the community and create jobs for the locals through the upgrade of the Sediba Irrigation Scheme The community is crying foul and believes officials in the department are trying to dispossess them illegally Mothowagosele Kganare is part of the Sediba Irrigation System,”This project is the revitalisation of Sediba Irrigation Scheme after the completion of the project there was another project of farmer production support unit that’s when they started saying there is no longer an irrigation project the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in the province has refuted the cooperative’s claims It says the equipment was never handed over to the Sediba community They say the equipment was instead given to the Sediba Secondary Cooperative which includes 29 cooperatives in 12 villages around Thaba Nchu Kegomoditswe Modutwane from Cooperative Enterprise Development under the Department of Rural Development says the Farmer Production Support Unit was aimed at supporting farmers within the 50km radius of Thaba Nchu “The community of Sediba closed the centre on the 16th of May 2022 because they didn’t want to utilise the implements according to the provisions and conditions of the Farmer Production Support Unit (FPSU) policy which prescribe that they should hire the implements like other farmers as a per prescribed tariffs the FPSU is for all the farmers in the villages within the 50km radius but they wanted the implements to be under the control and management of the Sediba village only.” General manager for the Free State Umbrella Fire Protection Association Savage Breytenbach says the local community members of Tweefontein Village in Thabanchu in the Free State and other neighbouring villagers have suffered a devastating blow due to veld fires Many villagers and emerging farmers have lost their livestock after the fires damaged over 700 000 hectares of grazing land there’s a concern for more devastating fires It might not be millions of rands in damages but this has a high impact on the losses suffered by the community We sit here with the loss of agricultural infrastructure You have some projects that have been there from the beginning there’s water tanks and agricultural infrastructure and there isn’t money and insurance to pay for this and to replace it AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale THABA NCHU- The South African Defence Force has applauded soldiers for participating in peacekeeping efforts in the DRC.  Staff sergeant Molahlehi Molahlehi was described as a leader who took pride in the service loved ones and military officials will gather to bid farewell to staff Sergeant Molahlehi in Thaba Nchu He is among the 14 South African soldiers killed in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo eNCA Senior Reporter Siphamandla Goge spoke with officials attending the funeral service of Molahlehi Home | Politics Deputy President Paul Mashatile is confident that the team deployed to discuss ways to avoid the VAT increase will bring positive feedback Mashatile joined the Assemblies of God Congregation in Thaba Nchu He was accompanied by officials from the national and provincial governments as well as the Moroka Royal family and African National Congress provincial officials Mashatile has appealed to the church to pray for those in authority who are tasked with the responsibility of leading the country This comes amid discussions on ways to avoid the VAT increase which is set to be implemented on 1 May if parties fail to come up with other fiscal measures they have met all the parties that have agreed to come so we will know by Monday where to – but I’m positive that we will find a solution.” together with ANC NEC and PEC leaders in the Free State we visited the Assemblies of God in Thaba Nchu as part of our visits to churches this Easter The church has an important role to play in our communities, strengthening social cohesion and promoting good… pic.twitter.com/Hqz1y9b9uq — Paul Mashatile🇿🇦 (@PMashatile) April 18, 2025 Asked what would happen if the parties in the VAT negotiations do not agree Mashatile says there are always other options to consider What we are looking forward to is that they will say these are the options Mashatile says that as part of his responsibilities he will intensify co-operation between the government and churches He has emphasised that the church has a critical role to play in the development of society “So it’s not just a church where you come on a Sunday They are involved with communities and that’s how we are going to partner with them We are also going to work with Kgosi to look at the developments in this area as the national government and provincial government So we have agreed that we have to focus on development working with the church,” adds Mashatile who is also deployed by the ANC in Mangaung earlier met with the Mangaung region and the Provincial Executive Committee during his visit Mashatile in Thaba Nchu for Good Friday service: The Free State community of Thaba Nchu has been rocked by a tragic event in which a five-year-old boy was fatally stabbed A 64-year-old man was detained by Selosesha police on Tuesday in relation to the boy’s senseless murder because he was purportedly the last person seen with him before he was discovered with a stab wound on his neck Free State police spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli confirmed that the suspect was seeing the boy’s mother but she was not home when the murder occurred when the boy’s lifeless body was found in the yard of a home where the family lived the neighbours became incensed and attacked the suspect before he was taken into custody a bloody knife — thought to be the murder weapon — was found in the suspect’s house was arrested and transported to hospital for medical treatment,” Kareli said “Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had been seen with the child shortly before the boy screamed and collapsed with a stab wound to his neck “The child reportedly cried out for his aunt The investigators are trying to piece together what happened before the stabbing The boy was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel leaving the community and family in shock and grief “The circumstances surrounding the incident are the focus of ongoing police investigations,” said Kareli “The suspect remains under police guard at the hospital and is expected to appear in the Selosesha magistrate’s court soon.” Rustenburg police were tipped off about a dead boy who had been discovered inside a home with two upper arm stab wounds and evidence of assault The suspect was taken into custody after claiming to have beaten the boy with a belt for leaving his younger sibling alone Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tel: +27 11 268 6300 Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms & conditions and privacy policy ───   KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 08:48 Sat we don’t just attend to issues without giving authorities time to act.” The EFF in the Free State has criticised Mangaung Mayor for his inaction and silence regarding looming evictions in Selosesha EFF Councillor Mpho Ramatlama voiced his concerns during a recent Mangaung council meeting accusing Mayor Gregory Nthatisi of failing to provide reassurance or intervention on behalf of over 1,400 residents facing eviction threats from the North West provincial government Ramatlama revealed the North West government is claiming ownership of homes in Selosesha citing ties to the former Bophuthatswana government Nthatisi for not taking any visible steps to address the fears of the community who have been facing harassment and uncertainty over their housing situation we don’t just attend to issues without giving authorities time to act But we are receiving endless calls from people in Thaba Nchu saying the North West government is preparing to evict 1,400 households no one has issued a proper statement to reassure the community.” He called on Nthatisi to make it clear to the residents they would not be forcibly removed from their homes Nthatisi acknowledged the complex housing issues in Thaba Nchu He stated the Mangaung Metro and the provincial leadership would be engaging with the North West provincial government to resolve the matter According to Nthatisi the North West Development Corporation is looking to sell some of the disputed properties which include homes built under the former Bophuthatswana government “There are 1,400 houses that were part of the former Bophuthatswana and North West wants to sell them to the people of Thaba Nchu we have 1,500 houses built on land that belongs to public works but the process of transferring land ownership to the people has been difficult.” He also mentioned 448 houses are currently in dispute with multiple individuals claiming ownership there are homes under the Mangaung FDC and others connected to the former technical school in Thaba Nchu.  President Cyril Ramaphosa had expressed deep concerns over the proliferation of informal settlements in the Free State This after he had witnessed hundreds of shacks erected at Botshabelo’s entrance near the N8 With a commitment to address the challenges of residents Ramaphosa highlighted the urgency of finding sustainable solutions to improve residents’ living conditions and to ensure access to basic services OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Free State says it will write to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) as a matter of urgency to investigate allegations into Thaba Nchu Freedom Day celebrations event which cost provincial government R3 million The money was allegedly spent by the Department of Sports and Culture on logistics and catering of the event that was poorly attended The event led to the MEC Limakatso Mahasa suspending the department’s HOD Steve Tshabalala accusing him of refusing to postpone the event Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana then placed Mahasa on special leave for the remainder of the May month for investigation EFF provincial secretary Bosanku Msimanga says  they are of the view that the Premier not attend to allegations of corruption and misuse of money in the department “We are of the view that law enforcement agencies such as SIU should take a centre stage in doing thorough investigations into the matter It should be noted that is not only Thaba Nchu Freedom Day celebration where government engaged on fruitless and wasteful expenditure over R8 million was spent without following proper procurement processes,” says Msimanga The funeral service for 53-year-old Staff Sergeant Ishmael Molahlehi is underway at Thaba Nchu in the Free State Molahlehi is one of the 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who perished in the conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo The soldiers were caught in the crossfire between DRC army forces and M23 rebels During the memorial service earlier this week his family said that the arrival of the remains of their loved one had brought some relief and closure as they can now finally be able to lay him to rest members of the SANDF and others are singing in the hall where the funeral service is taking place — SABC News (@SABCNews) February 23, 2025 DRC Conflict | Staff Sergeant Ishmael Molahle funeral service in progress: The four were admitted to Albert Moroka Hospital on Christmas Day for treatment and were later released Secretary of Sthiba Council of Joint Forums says the boy died at home later in the day after complaining of a stomach ache The other three have since been cleared of the suspected food poisoning. More than 20 children have died from suspected foodborne illnesses in the past months. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mangaung Metro Municipality conducted an oversight of Balaclava Trust School in Ward 43 The school had been abandoned apparently due to insufficient student enrolment With the number of learners falling below 50 the Department of Education relocated all students from closed schools to nearby hostels in Mangaung This resulted in the closure of numerous schools in rural areas leaving their buildings unsecured and susceptible to vandalism opportunists exploit this vulnerability to pilfer items for sale concerns arise regarding the neglected infrastructure The Department of Education must prioritise the security and maintenance of these vacant school buildings to prevent further deterioration community involvement and partnerships may be necessary to find sustainable solutions for repurposing these structures in a way that benefits the local area The DA recognises that prioritising systemic improvements in education Such improvements should yield positive impacts without requiring excessive additional funds The ANC’s disregard for the neglected school is evident the DA-run Western Cape exemplifies good governance by constructing the Saxonsea School in just 65 days through the Rapid School Build programme We are dedicated to ensuring every child’s access to quality education We will initiate a Rule 38 question to the Council and pursue this matter diligently citizens have the chance to choose credible solutions to safeguard South Africa’s future We urge all residents to participate in the National and Provincial Government elections on 29 May to support our commitment to nationwide change Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha Mathae has been ordered by the Public Protector to apologise to 480 Thaba Nchu residents for the government’s failure to address wrongful property registrations dating back decades This mandate forms part of a detailed report released on 30 December 2024 by Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka highlighting systemic failures and administrative negligence by state entities including the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality The report stems from complaints filed by two residents of Thaba Nchu who inherited properties only to discover discrepancies in ownership records The Public Protector’s investigation uncovered 480 similar cases involving wrongful property registrations these errors have caused severe prejudice to the affected individuals depriving them of their constitutional rights to property ownership Despite multiple attempts by residents to rectify the situation through municipal and departmental channels Ranthamane Nche’s property was erroneously registered under a neighbour’s name Despite years of appeals to municipal authorities the issue remains unresolved.• Billy Plaatjies discovered errors in the title deed of his property Attempts to correct the deed through the municipality and DPWI yielded no results These cases form part of a broader pattern of administrative neglect affecting hundreds of properties in Thaba Nchu Public Apology: Premier Letsoha Mathae and Mangaung Executive Mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana must issue a public apology to all affected residents within 30 days.2 Action Plan: The Office of the Premier must coordinate with relevant stakeholders to develop a consolidated action plan within 60 days detailing roles and responsibilities for rectifying wrongful property registrations.3 Policy Overhaul: The DPWI must audit all properties in Thaba Nchu to identify additional discrepancies and appoint conveyancers to address title deed errors within 180 days.4 Accountability Measures: Municipal and departmental officials responsible for delays must undergo training and face disciplinary actions where necessary The failure to address property registration errors undermines public trust in state institutions and violates constitutional principles Section 16 of the Deeds Registries Act mandates accurate property ownership records a standard the state has failed to uphold in Thaba Nchu The lack of resolution also impacts the economic prospects of affected residents who are unable to leverage their properties for financial security or development opportunities 🔴Central News Weekly Edition 087🔴 Download the Latest Edition | Top Story: “Building ‘The Ngwathe We Want’:Dr Mothamaha Drives Cost-EffectiveSolutions with New Fleet Acquisitions” Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content For Business Related:business@centralnews.co.za Newsroom:Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za Office Administrator:admin@centralnews.co.za visited the families of two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members from the Free State who tragically lost their lives during a peacekeeping mission in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) • Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi from Selosesha Thaba-Nchu• Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele from Senekal• Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe from U-Section The Premier and her delegation first visited the family of Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe The family expressed their deep sorrow over their loss while the government reassured them of its support during this difficult period Rifleman Mobe will be laid to rest on Saturday The delegation then proceeded to Thaba Nchu to pay respects to the family of Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi His 22-year-old daughter was visibly devastated struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of her father the Premier and her team learned that Staff Sergeant Molahlehi also leaves behind a two-month-old baby—one he never had the chance to meet The Free State Provincial Government has pledged to assist the families with funeral arrangements ensuring that the fallen heroes receive a dignified farewell She also announced that Members of the Executive Council (MECs) will attend the funeral services of the fallen soldiers and assured that the government would continue to support their families The Premier further confirmed that plans are in place to visit the family of Rifleman Mabele before the end of the week The tragic deaths of the three soldiers from the Free State are part of a larger incident in which 14 SANDF soldiers were killed in the DRC Their deaths have sparked national discussions on South Africa’s continued involvement in peacekeeping missions in the region During a memorial service at Air Force Base Swartkop in Centurion President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed mourners defending the country’s peacekeeping efforts Ramaphosa emphasised that South African troops have historically been deployed for peacekeeping efforts in Sudan highlighting that the country has lost brave soldiers in the pursuit of African stability The mission in the Eastern DRC has been particularly dangerous due to ongoing conflict between M23 rebels and the Congolese army with SADC forces—including SANDF soldiers—facing increased hostilities Opposition parties and military analysts have raised concerns about South Africa’s continued involvement in the conflict questioning whether the SANDF is adequately funded to sustain such missions Military analysts warn that without significant budget increases South Africa’s ability to sustain peacekeeping operations will be severely compromised retired SANDF generals have taken to the media to criticise the state of the military claiming that South Africa is no longer prepared for modern warfare President Ramaphosa dismissed these claims urging unity in honouring the fallen soldiers instead of engaging in political debates the SANDF has sent additional troops and military equipment to the DRC Reports indicate that 700 to 800 soldiers have been deployed to Lubumbashi Defence Minister Thandi Modise acknowledged the operational challenges but reaffirmed that the mission remains crucial: insisting that South Africa should reconsider its involvement in the DRC The declining defence budget has long been a concern for military experts who warn that continued cuts will severely weaken South Africa’s ability to sustain peacekeeping operations The South African Defence Review 2015 recommended that defence spending be increased to at least 2% of GDP The next Defence Budget Vote in Parliament will be critical in determining whether SANDF receives the necessary financial boost or continues operating under constrained conditions 🔴 Central News Special Edition | Issue 94 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: “I am a proud International criminal,Malema Fires back at Musk and Trump” https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Central-News-Issue-094.pdf Home | Business faces severe financial challenges as 50 years of operating beckons bad roads and the ever-increasing fuel price are some of the challenges that Free State-based bus operator has to contend with to keep operating which transports about 25 000 people between Thaba Nchu says it has had to innovate to keep providing a service to commuters The bus operator was founded in Thaba Nchu in 1975 as a family business Interstate Bus Lines is currently the only bus company operating in Mangaung This is as the Mangaung Metro struggles to get its Hauweng Bus Service operational As the 50-year milestone approaches in 2025 the company says it faces annual shortfalls of up to R10-million explains that the company does not get a subsidy from the province in terms of the Division of Revenue Act which makes provision for a supplemented subsidy “We are seriously engaging the Department of Community Safety Roads and Transport because the subsidy that this company gets is a supplementary grant that comes from the National Department of Transport and Provinces Unfortunately the Free State is not one of the provinces that supplements the grant So we are seriously engaging the Department with the view of finding a lasting solution around this because it has a huge impact on our operation and its sustainability.” Mokgothu says their biggest achievement over the years has been the transformation of the company “So we are very excited to have achieved this milestone it’s a historic milestone judging from the fact that we come from very humble beginnings in Thaba Nchu in 1975 this is a major achievement and throughout the 50 years we have been able to grow this company we have been able to transform the company and we’ve been able to invest within the communities that we operate in.” Commuters say the company should introduce a discount as part of its celebrations “We are not happy with the trucks that they introduced in the trusts in Thaba Nchu those trucks are bad and they must upgrade We are happy with the service but they must sponsor the community to get children off drugs and away from the streets.” The company will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year It has already begun some legacy projects including an empowerment programme for small businesses around Mangaung ───   KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 12:24 Wed she revealed that she had written to the Head of Department to understand the reasons behind the event’s failure and to scrutinise the R8 million spent on the Premier’s tournament.” A leaked audio recording of the Free State MEC for Sport and Recreation questioning procedures over tenders worth millions has ignited controversy and raised serious concerns about the management of public funds The recording captures Limakatso Patricia Mahasa questioning the procedural integrity of R8 million public funds spent on the premier’s soccer tournament which was held at Dr Petrus Molemela stadium on 30 March and the recent expenditure of R3 million on a failed Freedom Day celebration held in Thaba Nchu Days before her special leave by Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana Mahasa was heard in the leaked audio seeking advice on handling the fallout from the failed Freedom Day event which went ahead despite her instructions to postpone it ‘She had written to the Head of Department’ to understand the reasons behind the event’s failure and to scrutinise the R8 million spent on the Premier’s tournament She claimed the expenditure didn’t adhere to proper supply chain management processes presenting the trophy to Bloemfontein Celtics with SAFA President Mahasa also questioned how the service provider for the Macufe Golf Tournament was appointed without the necessary adjudication process “I asked Steve how did they appoint the service provider for Macufe Golf Tournament without following the process of adjudication The service provider was awarded a tender without adjudication,” she stated Mahasa emphasised her inquiries were part of her oversight responsibilities as MEC but she felt as though she was being treated as if she was now an investigator She detailed her frustrations with the Premier’s Office noting her attempts to communicate with Dukwana were ignored This lack of communication culminated in an urgent meeting request from the premier ‘Accusing her of missing multiple meetings with the premier’ Mahasa said she received a confusing text from Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC ,Koketso Toto Makume accusing her of missing multiple meetings with the premier Mahasa provided evidence she was present at the meeting officials involved in the Freedom Day event explained they had continued with the event on Tshabalala’s instructions admitted to his role in the mismanagement and acknowledged his failure to provide proper advice at Dr Petrus Molemela stadium during the Premier's Cup tournament Instead of taking immediate action against Tshabalala during their meeting Dukwana instructed Mahasa to take special leave until 29 May This decision left Mahasa puzzled and concerned about the implications.  stating: “I do not know why I should take special leave because there’s nothing wrong that I did and I also have a message where I was advising him that the event should not continue and yet he did not respond to me.” Before her special leave took effect on 15 May Mahasa had suspended Tshabala for his refusal to heed her directive regarding the Freedom Day event While Dukwana cited concerns about Mahasa’s alleged unauthorised absences and the mismanagement of the Freedom Day event which tarnished the reputation of both the department and the provincial government Dukwana has since requested a written explanation from Tshabalala to clarify his actions and justify why he should not also face disciplinary action for his failure to perform his duties MEC for Education Makalo Mohale has been appointed as acting MEC for Sport 17 August 2018 – The Standing Committee on Appropriations focused the second day of its oversight visit in the Free State Province on Health facilities in Thabo Nchu The committee was also supported by the Free State Province’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts The committee first visited Dr JS Moroka Hospital and followed by Phekolong Clinic Reddersburg and later Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela Clinic Opening the stakeholder engagement session the Chairperson of the committee Ms Pinky Phosa said: “As the committee we are aware that the Free State Province has prioritised these key health infrastructure improvement services: to refurbish old buildings mechanical and electrical maintenance backlogs and to attend to the provision of medical equipment backlogs” The committee commends the Free State Health Department of Health for its commitment to addressing infrastructure problems and to strengthening human resource capacity Health infrastructure is the backbone of efficient public health care healthy and prosperous society and it contributes towards thriving economy The committee was disappointed at DR JS Moroka hospital management reception The management didn’t have a prepared presentation to present Instead they presented an old presentation that was presented to the National Council of Provinces early this year The overall status of health facilities visited on Wednesday showed strong signs of efficient effective and improvement in management systems The committee also commended Phekolong Clinic management for the excellent manner in which the clinic is managed The clinic is an exceptional example of sheer excellence General challenges picked up almost across all visited heath facilities include budget constraints shortage of staff and non-payment of overtime to duly deserving staff no budget for infrastructure maintenance including medical equipment “Generally we are pleased with what we have seen today this means that all state agencies must take active steps to improve operational efficiencies and accelerate the effectiveness of service delivery,” Said Ms Phosa ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson please contact the committee’s Media Officer: The P20 Summit will ensure that the voices of South Africans and broader African communities are embedded in international policymaking making global economic decisions more inclusive and representative dmasondo@parliament.gov.za Employees of the newly launched steel manufacturing factory in Thaba Nchu in the Free State say the opening of the Rui Star Iron-Steel Plant is giving residents renewed hope for job opportunities Over R300 million has been invested in the smelting plant The company has the capacity to employ over 500 people and is set to create more jobs 148 of those employed are locals of Thaba Nchu and two others are from the nearby Botshabelo The factory sources scrap metal from across the country to process it into steel and iron for the domestic and export market Construction of the factory started in 2021 and was officially launched last week [it] is a safety training like what not to do to make sure that [workers] are safe when they’re working here that’s the first priority of the policies metal tasting and I would say basic chemical skill training some of the specific smelter training.” The supervisor at the factory says operations will bring much-needed economic improvement to the community “I am happy because of it’s been a while since I was not working … and there are a lot of guys here who really need this job.” The Department of Economic Development says eradicating joblessness is its priority It says this investment is a clear demonstration that it’s on a mission to attract more investors to grow the Free State economy “We had to appreciate that one of the our area of work in terms of the economy is trade and investment created you money Because we said there is a need to create new money in the Free State economy given the challenges.” “I don’t want to waste time on those unemployment challenges The smelter project in Thaba Nchu is an investment to the value of about R33 million department contributed around R11 million.” Meeko says the province is pursuing investors to invest in various municipalities in the province which is based in the people’s Republic of China flows from the investment drive by the South Africa investment conference As part of the UN Secretary-General’s campaign for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2023 Invest to prevent violence against women and girls” UNODC is showcasing its activities around the world that help to accelerate efforts to end violence against women and girls we hear from the ‘Woman King’ of Thaba Nchu in South Africa who is using her platform to address gender-based violence Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka of Barolong Boo Seleka in the Free State Province of South Africa is indeed the first woman to be crowned as ruler of her tribe when Kgosi Gaboilelwe’s forefather moved to Thaba Nchu purchased land from the Basotho King Moshoeshoe and settled his people both of her brothers subsequently ascended the throne Their own subsequent deaths led to a succession crisis Kgosi Gaboilelwe prevailed in court and was coronated in September 2022 She has since used her platform as “the Woman King” to address societal issues affecting woman Kgosi Moroka’s role is no different from what you might imagine from monarchs such as Charles III of the United Kingdom or Rama IX of Thailand I understand that I am a woman and will never be a man,” she shrugs Gaboilelwe says that a Kgosi is a jack of all trades: “First comes taking care of the people and the preservation of culture and heritage Even if you work on governance and social issues and that might be why they call me the woman king I will fight like a warrior even if It means fighting alone.’ I was thinking back to the tribal wars when our family settled here It felt like the times of spears and shields except different kinds of spears and shields came out victorious and the royal family trusted leadership on me.”And Kgosi Gaboilelwe takes her responsibility to protect her family very seriously an organization focusing on maternal and child health Various youth programs run by the organization included providing responsible reproductive and sexual education Kgosi Gaboilelwe’s interest in sexual and reproductive health motivated her to address gender-based violence She helped lead a series of community level dialogues called “Women Let’s Talk – Basadi a re bueng” But she found herself frustrated and surprised at the reluctance of participants to speak up during the sessions “Women could not utter a word or even answer a simple question during the dialogue “They weren’t comfortable talking about issues that affect their own health We resorted to having an anonymous box for questions or comments - which showed me how critical it was to address the issue.”  gender-based violence “is any situation where you feel violated and others] people who have experienced violence The Woman King wants to have a ‘mindset’ change in Africa around gender equality “We need to build harmony between genders so there is no competition Women have the right to assume leadership roles but let her do so in her own power and femininity and let men do it in their own masculinity and find balance.” She is now working with the Ministry of Social Development who visited Thaba Nchu for a 3-day dialogue on gender-based violence Five hundred people attended the opening prayer and they now have 142 ambassadors in their villages to address and prevent gender-based violence “We need a permanent presence,” Kgosi Gaboilelwe declares “Soldiers on the ground who address local issues with local solutions.”  UNODC and responding to gender-based violence  Engaging traditional communities can bring culturally sensitive solutions to gender-based violence The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) engagements with traditional leaders in Southern Africa on responding to gender-based violence began in August 2022 UNODC hosted an event with the Limpopo leadership and the Deputy Minister of Correctional Services to highlight the high incidence of femicide in the country the National House of Traditional Leadership the Royal Network of Princesses and the Woman King have solidified a relationship with UNODC UNODC’s Southern Africa office is currently finalizing a Quick Reference Guide on integrated responses to gender-based violence by traditional leadership and government sectors in collaboration with Traditional Leadership the South African Ministry of Justice and the Deputy Minister of Correctional Services The global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a key international moment to call for an end to violence against women and girls It runs from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December Comprehensive and multi-sectoral solutions are required to end all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5.2. Crime prevention and criminal justice responses are a key part of this approach. Learn more about UNODC’s work on gender-based violence here ───   KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 08:39 Sat Mahasa regretted her lack of involvement in the event's planning The Free State public might witness another political controversy after the MEC for Sport with some expecting her to be ousted from office The recent developments highlighted alleged leadership gaps and misconduct within this department of the Free State Provincial Government Premier Mxolisi Dukwana placed MEC Limakatso Mahasa on special leave citing concerns over her regular unauthorised absences from work and a failed Freedom Day event in Thaba Nchu which cost the department as much as R3 million.  The attendance was poor and the event seemed to have not been marketed well Gospel star Teboho Moruti performed at what was supposed to be the 30 Years of Freedom celebration in Thaba Nchu The event placed the provincial government under the microscope for mismanagement of funds with some saying it depicted the frustration of residents who still need services while the government continues to waste money.  Dukwana expressed dismay over the event's mismanagement which not only squandered public funds but also brought both the department and provincial government into disrepute The debacle started when Mahasa suspended the department's Head of Department (HOD) on the same day the MEC was placed on special leave Tshabalala's suspension stemmed from his refusal to heed Mahasa's directive to postpone the ill-fated Freedom Day event as revealed in an alleged leaked audio clip.  Mahasa regretted her lack of involvement in the event's planning and expressed frustration over Tshabalala's failure to follow her instructions to postpone the event and that he rather insisted on following directives from the premier to continue with the event without consulting her requesting a written presentation to explain his actions regarding the Freedom Day event and to justify why he should not also face special leave for failing to perform his duties diligently as the department's accounting officer the responsibility of overseeing the Sports and Culture portfolio has fallen on the shoulders of MEC for Education who has been appointed as the Acting MEC for the remainder of the month The situation surrounding Mahasa’s tenure is not an isolated incident in the Free State government Motshidise Koloi resigned as MEC for Social Development following her arrest on corruption charges related to collusion with a service provider.  was subsequently appointed as the Acting MEC for Social Development OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg