JOHANNESBURG - Two men have been arrested for tampering, damaging and destroying essential infrastructure in Thabong near Welkom. It's understood that police received a tip-off from a private media stakeholder about the possible destruction of valuable infrastructure in the Dagbreek area. The pair were found in possession of heavy steel cut-offs. Free State SAPS spokesperson Thabo Covane said the two men are expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrates Court soon. Sections SuperSport Schools Plus Photo: Frans Lombard/ActionPix.Marlow Landbou and Welkom Gimnasium opened the stacked 2025 Absa Wildeklawer programme just after midday in Kimberley with an entertaining contest that ebbed and flowed putting the Free State side under heavy pressure in the first five minutes After a couple of lineouts deep inside the Welkom Gim 22 Marlow had the put-in at a five-metre scrum but a knock-on at last allowed the boys in black to escape their half Gim grabbed the lead when Jadewin Solomons kicked a penalty to become the first points’ scorer of the 2025 event A 50/22 kick quickly put Marlow back on the attack and a big drive from a lineout had them over the Welkom Gim tryline The Wolramme then attacked towards the uprights but their efforts were again thwarted when Gim intercepted a pass and broke out When they returned to the Gim 22 for a third time just over a quarter-of-an-hour into the contest failed to make the most of a fine scoring opportunity having escaped dangerous situations three times Solomons came close to doubling Gim’s advantage That would have harsh consequences for his team the Free State side bagged the first try of the tournament It began from a clean lineout take in the Marlow 22 and it finished with Reagan Krige breaking through the defensive line to dive over under the posts Marlow looked odds-on to equalise in the 25th minute when from a scrum just outside the Welkom Gim 22 a beautifully executed backline move put left-wing WJ Pienaar into a gap He was tackled less than five metres from the try line but was able to pop a pass to his captain Gian Steyl making it the fourth and best try-scoring opportunity missed by the Eastern Cape side they were on the board from a penalty smack-bang in front of the uprights Welkom Gimnasium surged onto the attack from the kick-off and a knock-on right on their try line put Marlow under pressure once more 8th-man Emile Mahlelebe forced his way over and Solomons slotted the easy conversion to extend his team’s lead to 14 points it appeared as if Nathan Muller was over for five more which covered half the field was reversed because of a forward pass The halftime whistle sounded with Welkom Gim up 17-3 with CJ Botha providing the finishing touch after the boys from Cradock forced Welkom Gim incrementally back through a series of phases Coach Roean Bezuidenhout‘s team came close to a very quick reply but they knocked on mere metres from the line when Welkom Gimnasium collapsed a strong Marlow maul giving Marlow a one-man advantage 10 minutes into the second stanza a missed throw-in worked out well for Marlow He shrugged off two would-be tacklers before bursting through a gap to score De Ridder added the extras to bring his team within two of Welkom Gimnasium Marlow sliced through the black-clad Gimnasium defence minutes later and was about to dot down again but the final pass was slightly forward and Welkom Gim breathed a sigh of relief after consultation between the referee and one of his assistants Welkom Gim was struck a further blow when their fullback Jadewin Solomons was shown a red card for an incident at a ruck leaving his team with only 13 players on the field they opted to kick for touch when they received a kickable penalty in the 57th minute who cleanly snagged the lineout that resulted from the touchline kick and Kananelo Tutubala crashed over after being driven across the try line by his pack Marlow worked their way deep into the opposition’s half and laid siege to the Welkom Gim line after a strong maul took them to within close range of the try line good hands and swift passing by the backline put WJ Pienaar over in the left-hand corner leaving the farmers still two points adrift with about three minutes remaining The Cradock boys had to keep possession and attack and Marlow moved the ball down their backline where flank Adrian Joubert ripped through the Welkom Gim midfield and raced into the Gim half He drew the last remaining defender and put his captain Gian Steyl away for a try just to the right of the poles They made it tough on themselves in the first half with their poor finishing and benefitted from Welkom Gimnasium’s disciplinary problems to come from 14 points down at the break to win Marlow Landbou 25 (3)  – Tries: CJ Botha Welkom Gimnasium 22 (17) – Tries: Reagan Krige Related News Junior Springboks rotate team for Australia clash SA Rugby 2025-05-05 Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made several rotational changes to his starting line-up and included four players who played Hilton College captured a hard-fought 25-20 victory over their arch-rivals Glenwood fullback Joshua Kopp kicked the Durban side to a tense one-point victory over Marlow Landbou in a low-scoring thriller Die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool se Wit Bulle is vanjaar van stoetgehalte Affies het vir Boland Landbou met 74-14 gekarnuffel The third and final day of the 2025 Absa Wildeklawer kicked off with three emphatic victories on the B-field at Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made several rotational changes to his starting line-up and included four players who played The Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Destea) is set to have face to face interaction sessions with local businesses regarding the Draft Transformation Fund Concept these sessions will give Free State business owners the platform to raise their concerns on the concept Destea has previously made a call for local micro and organised businesses and designated groups to provide inputs to the Draft Transformation Concept in the Free State Members of the public were requested to make inputs and comments on the concept from 08-14 April 2025 “The fund will serve as an enabler for the 7th administration to transform the economy eliminate poverty and reduce inequality,” Destea said Harry Gwala Multipurpose Center from 09:30 to 12:30 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 Home | South Africa Two people have been taken to hospital after strong winds blew away the roof of a petrol station in Welkom According to Free State Department of Cooperative Governance spokesperson Zimasa Mbewu and several houses have also been severely damaged Mbewu says that it is not yet clear whether the weather event was a tornado or a severe thunderstorm “We are awaiting a report from the South African Weather Service whether it is a tornado as it is widely reported but there were no injuries although there were people on duty The building is currently unoccupied but other local fire brigades in neighbouring towns have been called in to assist in the area of Welkom,” Mbewu says The fire station building is currently unoccupied and fire brigades from neighbouring towns have been called in to assist in Welkom Mbewu added that the disaster management office has also been affected by the winds leaving the building without network connectivity This has made communication with the public challenging for district disaster teams ROUND FOUR PREVIEW: The Griffons and Griquas’ unbeaten status will be on the line when they clash in a highly anticipated SA Cup match in Welkom on Saturday afternoon when all five Round Four encounters kick-off at 15.00 The Northern Free Staters and the defending champions from Kimberley are two of the three remaining unbeaten teams in the competition In another clash that is sure to capture the imagination who have won two out of their three matches host the second-placed Pumas – the other unbeaten team in the SA Cup in Kempton Park the Cheetahs will be eager to get their campaign back on track when they take on Eastern Province in Gqeberha The Boland Cavaliers will play at home for the first time in three weeks against the SWD Eagles in Wellington The Border Bulldogs entertain the Leopards in East London With a third of the league phase now completed the race for the top four places – and qualification for this year’s Currie Cup Premier Division – is becoming clearer and Griffons lead the standings with 15 points each The Falcons are in fourth place with 10 points followed by the Cavaliers (eight points) and the Cheetahs (seven points) in fifth and sixth place The Griffons will be hoping that home ground advantage in Welkom can play a key role when they face the formidable holders from Kimberley who have not lost a match in the SA Cup since the start of last season amassing 252 points at an average of 84 points per game The Welkom-based side will need a strong defensive effort to contend with the competition’s most prolific try-scoring team which includes a former Blitzbok speedster in Gurshwin Wehr Expect Wehr – who played his rugby in Welkom last year – and Griffons playmaker Andrew Kota to play important roles in this encounter Kota is the leading points scorer with 49 points while Wehr tops the try-scoring chart with seven tries the Pumas are favoured to maintain their unbeaten run when they tackle the Falcons at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park but they can’t afford to underestimate the East Randers despite the men from Mpumalanga boasting a better defensive effort in their three games to date the Boland Cavaliers are hoping to turn the corner when they host the SWD Eagles at Boland Stadium in Wellington The Cavaliers easily won the corresponding fixture last year in George and will target this game to bounce back to winning ways after last week’s setback in Kempton Park the remaining fixture between the Border Bulldogs (ninth place) and the Leopards (last place) in East London will provide one of these teams with their first win of the campaign 1 Kayden KiewitReplacements: 16 Joshua Eras 1 Etiene Janeke.Replacements: 16 Darnell Osuagwu Eastern Province: 15 Jaden Bantom 14 Rodney Damons 1 Siya NzuzoReplacements: 16 Masikane Mazwi 1 Schalk van der Merwe.Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg 1 Vernon MatongoReplacements: 16 Emile Booysen 1 Haggard Cole.Replacements: 16 Stephan Leonard 1 Luxolo Koza (captain)Replacements: 16 Mangaliso Zixesha 1 Tatenda Chayayi.Replacements: 16 Liyema Mgwigwi 1 Simon WestraadtReplacements: 16 Chadley Wenn 1 Leon LyonsReplacements: 16 Dandre Delport The Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is coming to England. Click here to buy tickets. Get weekly Rugby Updates direct to your inbox! Never miss a story. All the Rugby365 articles and news you love, sent directly to your email inbox. Chante Hohip6 January 2025 | 10:54WATCH: 'Tornado' wreaks havoc in Welkom Video clips and pictures of the aftermath are going viral.South African Weather Service (SAWS)Photo: X/Arrive Alive (screenshot) Residents in Welkom reported experiencing tornado-like strong winds in the Free State city on Sunday (5 January) including petrol stations and a fire station This follows weather alerts for disruptive rain issued for the area by the South African Weather Service Residents took to social media to share pictures and videos of the aftermath Tornado in Welkom, South Africa today. There was some damage to the buildings.#tornado #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/ccopb3k2st Tornado/Storm: Welkom, Free State. pic.twitter.com/oKjFB8MbuR Free State - Welkom Fire Station hit by a storm - #Tornado sightings in the area pic.twitter.com/Dj85yITVx2 Although any investment in sewage infrastructure in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality is welcomed the FF Plus is concerned that Welkom may be getting the short end of the stick indicated that her department has earmarked R1,6 billion for addressing sanitation problems in Matjhabeng This amount is significantly more than the R425 million that the former Minister announced during his visit to the Municipality in November 2022 be gleaned from Majodina’s reply is that most of these funds will be spent in Thabong The FF Plus is of the opinion that Welkom’s sanitation problems deserve just as much attention especially considering the critical challenges in areas such as the Goldfields Mall where sewage has been streaming down the streets for months Welkom is the Municipality’s capital city with the most businesses and residents whose municipal contributions make up a large portion of Matjhabeng’s revenue the real expenditure on interventions amounted to R679 million at the end of July 2024 The FF Plus will ask the Minister in a follow-up question to clarify what those professional fees entail and how it has contributed to improving infrastructure The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the Mbombela Local Municipality (Mbombela/Nelspruit White River) is deeply concerned by the utter lack Yesterday’s EFF march to Kleinfontein was nothing but political theatrics riddled with racism to divert attention away from the failures of the coalition in the The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) questions the Tshwane Metro’s Department of Human Settlements’ decision to relocate yet another 5 200 people to a piece ❗️Corné Mulder: GNU must unite or fail — as Trump-era US eyes ANC’s foreign blunders @alechogg @MulderCorn VF Plus dien griefskrif in teen Mangaung-watertariefverhoging | Freedom Front Plus Die VF Plus het ʼn griefskrif teen die Mangaung-metro se voorgestelde watertariefverhoging van 11% oorhandig aan die .. The Freedom Front Plus is committed to group rights against affirmative action and towards a better SA for all A group of desperate Welkom residents who have recently been evicted by a church from an informal settlement they’ve been residing in since 2016 The residents are requesting the Matjhabeng Municipality to provide them with formalised sites after the Forward in Faith Church structure was built on the land The church has instructed the affected households to relocate as they were invading their private property Residents are seeking clarity over being removed from this informal settlement without being provided with an alternative piece of land then there was an argument between us and them that if the land is yours It’s been close to eight years since we’ve been staying here and we’re not happy that the church has removed us while we didn’t even know where we would be staying We were told to move because the land belongs to the church and we asked to at least be provided with a formalised land and they said we should find ourselves vacant land to occupy We did find land to place our shacks and now when it rains the shacks get flooded and our belongings get damaged by the water we really don’t know what to do.” Two males aged 33 and 45 have been arrested on Sunday in Welkom after being found in possession of suspected drugs members from the Welkom Public Order Policing conducted an intelligence driven operation on Sunday “It led them to a vandalised building in Welkom they spotted the two male suspects attempting to run away and the two foreign nationals were caught and found in possession of CAT drugs,” said Thabana She added that the police seized 35 ziplock bags containing CAT drugs and money from the suspects “The two male suspects aged 33 and 45 were subsequently arrested for possession of drugs They will appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon.” A group of desperate Welkom residents who have recently been evicted by a church from an informal settlement they’ve been residing in since 2016 say they have nowhere to go Residents are requesting the Matjhabeng Municipality to provide them with formalised sites after the Forward in Faith Church structure was built on the land The church has instructed affected households to relocate as they were invading their private property Residents are seeking clarity after being removed from the informal settlement without being provided with an alternative place so then there was an argument between us and them that if the land is yours Another adds: “It’s been close to eight years since we’ve been staying here and we’re not happy that the church has removed while we didn’t even know where we would be staying We were told to move because the land belongs to the church and we asked to at least be provided with a formalised land and they said we should find ourselves vacant land to occupy Residents say they have previously requested intervention from their councillor who allegedly until this day has not responded The Matjhabeng Municipality has distanced itself from the matter “The land in question doesn’t belong to the municipality but (is) privately owned and this can be verified through a deed search or by consulting the current occupants of the land The municipality has no record of any requests from households in Phokeng for formalisation we’re only responsible for two school sites both of which requires owning an approval from the Department of Education formal allocations were made in the same area While we’re addressing informal settlements as part of our planning process it is important to also respect planning property rights it is important to note that the emergency housing matters falls under the provincial and national Human Settlement authorities.” Forward In Faith Church referred SABC News to the municipality; while the deeds office has stated that it was unable to comment further on the matter Matjhabeng Municipality | Evicted Welkom residents seek help:  The Sanlam Boland Cavaliers claimed two valuable bonus points in Saturday’s SA Cup game after going down 35-38 to the Novavit Griffons in Welkom The visitors let an 11-point halftime lead slip as an error-ridden second half in Welkom saw a spirited Griffons side score three converted tries and take the lead with five minutes left on the clock But not before the Cavas extended their halftime lead to 18 points when Cornal Hendricks scored the visiting side’s fifth converted try the gap was quickly brought back to 11 as Griffons’ winger Qamani Kota dived over in the right-hand corner The Sanlam Boland Cavaliers then had the chance to hit straight back from the kick-off after winning a penalty but the attack – setup from a lineout – never got going as the Griffons turned the ball over The errors that started to creep into the Cavaliers’ game started to frustrate them and played into the Griffons’ hands as replacement prop Junior Banda drove his way over from close quarters to bring the home side within four points of the visiting team’s lead the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers pushed to regain the lead but could not get past a determined Griffons defensive effort and will certainly leave head coach disappointed after his team looked in full control at halftime as tries by Ashlon Davids and Hendricks' first of two tries gave his side a 28-17 lead with flyhalf Davids converting all four five-pointers the two bonus points – for scoring four tries and losing by less than seven points – could well prove valuable in the latter stages of the SA Cup and the Wellington outfit’s aspiration of securing a top-four log position and qualifying for the Currie Cup Premier Division NOVAVIT GRIFFONS 38 (17) – Tries: Andrew Kota Lungi Mbiko; Conversions: Andrew Kota (5); Penalties: Kota SANLAM BOLAND CAVALIERS 35 (28) – Tries: Cornal Hendricks (2) by | Sep 9, 2024 | Cars | 0 comments What South African Rally Raid Championship Round 6 PreviewWhere Phakisa Freeway Free StateWhen 13-14 September 2024Community South Africa National Revised team for Free State Rally Raid adventure Red-Lined Motorsport heads to Welkom with a subtly revised line-up for its penultimate 2024 South African Rally-Raid Championship appointment at the Free State Phakisa 400 on Friday and Saturday 13 and 14 September The team is headed by a two-car factory T1+ Ultimate attack backed by a four-car T1 Adventure class foray where the team continues to fight for that national title “We head back to the Free State for our next South African Rally Raid Championship fixture at the Phakisa 400 in Welkom,” Red-Lined team principal Terence Marsh confirms “We will have two T1+ Red-Lined REVO GT-Rs out this weekend as we continue with the development of our exciting Ultimate Dakar race machines And then there’s the ultra-competitive T1 Adventure class where we have one car leading the class championship and another right there in the mix so we are really collectively looking forward to our Goldfields expedition.” Chris Visser and notes man Albertus Venter need no introduction in local Rally Raid racing They will once again lead the Phakisa Red-Lined charge in their white and black factory T1+ REVO GT-R To back them up they will have the increasingly impressive Red-Lined Europe CEO Rients Hofstra alongside local navigator Wade Harris in their white and grey factory T1+ REVO GT-R “Our REVO GT-Rs continue on their development path and have shown some improved pace,” Marsh points out “Now we just need Lady Luck to play along as we continue to chase the big budgeted factory teams.” Red-Lined Motorsport’s privateer T1 class customers will play a major part in the team’s Free State Phakisa 400 effort Championship leader Gerhard Heinlein will have his father Rudi back in the hot seat in their Sirkel N VK56 this weekend as they look to defend their current advantage Much of their competition is however in-house as Johan de Bruyn and Adriaan Roets continue to keep up the pressure in their Falken Tyres REVO T1 Danie Ludick and Denzil Williamson will look to continue their fine debut form in their Elegant Fuels VK56 while the experienced Philip Botha will have Stompie Mynhardt reading the notes aboard the Penta Motor Group VK56 while regular navigator Roelof Janse van Vuren is abroad on business “Our privateer customers have done an incredible job and made us really proud in T1 Adventure class this year,” Terence concludes our focus will be split between winning there and putting our best foot forward as our newly designed and developed REVO GT-Rs start coming into their own in the Ultimate T1+ class Here’s to wishing every one of our Red-Lined team mates and family a successful and rewarding weekend *Red-Lined Motorsport competes with premium strategic partners MSA Publishes media releases from a host of different sources on our website as a service to the sport It is not practically possible to vet/approve every release that is published Some news items and articles are written by correspondents and do not necessarily represent MSA’s views Weekends and South African Public Holidays MSA Website Terms and Conditions msa@motorsport.co.za | website queries: jaco@motorsport.co.za Please note that all transactions on the MSA Online Licence Portal is in South African Rand (ZAR) MSA Return and Refund Policy © 2023 | Motorsport South Africa About 37 children from Daluvuyo Primary School were treated at Bongani Regional Hospital this morning after presenting with itchy skin and other related symptoms The children are suspected to have consumed cookies laced with unknown tablets raising concerns over the potential hazards involved spokesperson for the Free State Department of Health the affected children were seen at Bongani Regional Hospital and released with medication “We advise parents to bring their children back if there are any changes in their condition for further treatment,” said Mvambi The department has dispatched Environmental Health Practitioners to investigate the area aiming to gather evidence related to the cause of the children’s symptoms “Our priority is to identify anything in the environment that could endanger lives especially those of children,” added Mvambi Further updates are expected as the investigation unfolds Click here for Document CCBSA partners with SAPS Welkom to combat crime in Thabong East 5 February 2018 – Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) recently partnered with the South African Police Services (SAPS) in Welkom to combat crime in the area of Thabong East by donating a container that will be used as a Community Policing Forum contact centre Due to the high rates of crime being experienced in the area Thabong East is a crime hotspot which lists common assault and robbery among the top ten crimes reported at the police station Crime affects all of us directly and indirectly Crime takes away our basic right to have a happy and healthy environment and it means businesses New investments are scarce in communities where levels of crime are high at the handover ceremony noted that as a responsible corporate citizen CCBSA can only be successful if the communities in which it trades are also successful “Our mandate is to leave our communities much better than we found them we are not only a company that manufactures and distributes some of the best non-alcoholic beverages in the world we are a business that is committed to empowering communities supporting young people through sport and education and committed to ensuring that our activities do not affect the environment negatively CCBSA has similarly partnered with the SAPS in Vaal and are now taking a step further within Thabong East so we can jointly reduce the threat to our business and this community and are delighted to have been given the opportunity to work together with SAPS,” said Tom noted that most crime is generated at liquor outlets in the area and the new contact point centre will increase the visibility of the police in the community will serve as a reporting hub for Cluster 3 and 4 of Thabong SAPS This will enhance the speedy attendance to serious crimes and recovery of clues found at crime scenes “As a corporate we may not be qualified to fight crime we do support those who are qualified to do the work We believe these items we have donated to SAPS Thabong will go a long way in ensuring that services are brought closer to the community of Thabong East This will also boost the volunteers who are courageously working together with SAPS in crime fighting initiatives to keep our communities safe,” said Tom M: 083 3060139 E: cnyahuye@ccbagroup.com Free State police have arrested two suspects in connection with drug dealing after a raid led to the seizure of drugs worth an estimated R161,600 According to police spokesperson Thabo Covane officers from the SAPS’ Operation Vala uMgodi carried out a raid at a jewellery store on Mooi Street in the Welkom Central Business District “The team of combat and proactive operators searched the premises and seized large quantities of drugs Two small scales used for measuring the drugs were also confiscated officers proceeded to New Stands Informal Settlement in Thabong where they arrested a 25-year-old male for drug dealing and zip-lock plastic bags containing crushed Mandrax and Crystal Meth The total weight of Mandrax seized was 160.01 grams while the Crystal Meth weighed 9.25 grams,” Covane confirmed have been charged with dealing in drugs and will appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon ───   KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 09:55 Tue The mother of a young woman whose burnt body was discovered in a mineshaft at Welkom has made a heartfelt plea to law enforcement agencies to take stronger action against those responsible for her daughter’s death Pulane Tumahole’s call for justice comes amid ongoing grief and anguish over the loss of her daughter Thato was reported missing by Pulane when she failed to return home at around 18:00 on 10 May after visiting friends Thato was not with her friends or with her boyfriend Mamello Katleho Seape (22) stated that he last saw Thato at around 13:30 on the day of her disappearance Seape was arrested to face charges of obstruction of justice and the violation of human remains The circumstances surrounding Thato’s disappearance and subsequent death remain under investigation Pulane expressed her heartbreak and confusion “My child Thato would have still been alive; her life was cut short by that boy “I don’t think he has answers about why he did that ‘I will be burying my child’s bones without any proper structure’ “Even if he was trying to hide evidence of whatever he’s done I will be burying my child’s bones without any proper structure Free State police confirmed yet another DNA result of another female who went missing Sibongile Portia Ngwana’s remains were discovered on the M10 in November last year Her family expressed relief at knowing they would be burying their daughter’s remains bringing some measure of closure after months of uncertainty a GBV activist from Buang Basadi (Speak Out Women) shared her mixed emotions after receiving the call confirming the DNA results for Ngwana The emotional part was that we waited for a very long time Sibongile Ngwana disappeared on 26 November The exciting part of it was that finally the Ngwana family would find closure we have been supporting the family and wanting justice for the past six months for Sibongile The recent cases of Thato Tumahole and Sibongile Portia Ngwana are part of a troubling pattern of violence against women in the Free State.  two other women were reported missing by their boyfriends further heightening concerns within the community The recurring incidents of GBV and the horrific circumstances surrounding these disappearances and deaths have sparked calls for urgent and decisive action from law enforcement Community members and activists demand increased resources and a more robust judicial response to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that such tragedies do not continue OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg/mvh 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 The late African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) member and Matjhabeng Local Municipality employee Disebo Mosupa has been described as a loving and energetic person at an emotional funeral service held in Welkom in the Free State The 30-year-old’s life was cut short after she was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Andile Siyoko and later dumped her body in an existing grave in Welkom Mourners have appealed to the government to intensify law enforcement on perpetrators of gender-based violence ANCYL member Disebo Mosupa funeral service under way in Welkom Disebo Mosupa’s passing has left family and friends wounded They say Mosupa’s death should not be in vain Her body was exhumed seven days later from a grave at an existing cemetery following a confession made by Lawrence Ncanca Ncanca and Mosupa’s boyfriend Andile Siyoko remain in custody after they abandoned their bail application Mourners are calling for justice to prevail Mosupa’s friend Mpolokeng Majova says We lost someone who was very close to our hearts She has been with me through thick and thin I just hope that justice will take its course I really hope that justice will be served for Disebo.” “We are very hurt for losing our sister this way But we know that she was a fighter and now all that is left is for the people who are responsible should account.” The ANCYL calls on government to set up a budget for GBV issues “We need to involve all stakeholders including churches because the issue of GBV we are living with it every day women and children are no longer safe in their own houses Something that the government of SA must do on top of the agenda they must not just set gender commissions and nothing happens they must set up a huge budget for it.” Government admits that more needs to be done Free State Community Safety and Development MEC Jabu Mbalula says “In our provincial executive committee we committed ourselves to leading the fight against GBV and femicide and we even made a call to the government to really consider the possibility and importance of convening all stakeholders in the Free State.” Mosupa also served as a youth development officer in Matjhabeng municipality Siyoko and Ncanca will appear again in the Welkom Magistrates’ Court on August 22 all roads lead to the Wild N Out Pub & Eatery for the highly anticipated Drip Sundays: Welkom Edition This vibrant event promises a day and night of stellar performances and an atmosphere filled with celebration and unity The Drip Sundays Welkom Edition boasts a phenomenal lineup of some of South Africa’s most celebrated artists and entertainers who will ignite the stage with electrifying performances Headlining the event is the chart-topping sensation Focalistic whose infectious hits have become anthems across the country • Konopo• Tonic• Django• Keptivator• Sabotage• Eskay• Versatile• Sky G Psyfoza• DJ Lungi Eleven05• Tshidive Vibe• Xlamii• Epitome & Mphosat• Lad Smanarco• Avalon Da Bigga• Fkay & Sgee• Shade• Prinxmusiq• Deepcurve• House Ivision• Chillies & Sage• DJ Puma• Haloopino• Tshido Vocals• Cider & Cujo• Kismet• Thato Uneek• Puthuwane Productions• Magestic Soulk• Native Soul• LebtoniQ• Blackmnn• Rare Breeds Drip Sundays promises to deliver an unforgettable musical journey that caters to all tastes and styles 22 December 2024• Venue: Wild N Out Pub & Eatery • General Admission: R150• VIP Walk-In: R300 ensuring a smooth and premium experience for all attendees Drip Sundays isn’t just about music – it’s a celebration of fashion and individuality Your Rules – But Drip Hard,” encourages attendees to showcase their creativity and embrace bold and elegant looks A dedicated Drip Check Booth in the Diamond Walk Section will provide an opportunity for attendees to display their style and capture the moment • Swagg• Qhweling & Vintage• Blacktie & The Works The event promises a seamless transition from laid-back daytime vibes to energetic nighttime entertainment or dancing to the sounds of South Africa’s best DJs highlights the importance of community and togetherness during the festive season “Drip Sundays is about creating a space where people can come together 🔴 Central News Weekly Edition 086🔴 Download the Latest Edition | Top Story: “Hung Council Persists in Thabazimbi as ANC Falls Short of Majority in By-Elections” https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za For Business Related:business@centralnews.co.za Newsroom:Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za Office Administrator:admin@centralnews.co.za Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin and website in this browser for the next time I comment leaving a trail of destruction in its wake Two people were hospitalised after the roof of a petrol station was blown away The Free State Department of Cooperative Governance spokesperson confirmed the damage caused by the intense weather the exact nature of the event remains uncertain “We are awaiting a report from the South African Weather Service to confirm whether it was a tornado or a severe thunderstorm The devastating winds also impacted the local fire station as the building was unoccupied during the event Fire brigades from neighbouring towns have been called in to assist with emergency services in the Welkom area The destruction extended beyond the petrol station and fire station to include a school and several residential properties The local disaster management office was also affected This disruption has posed significant challenges for disaster response teams trying to communicate with residents and coordinate relief efforts The two individuals injured during the collapse of the petrol station roof were rushed to a nearby hospital but authorities have urged residents to stay cautious as assessments of structural safety continue across the affected areas along with fire brigades from neighbouring towns have been working tirelessly to assess the damage “Other local fire brigades have stepped in to ensure continuity in emergency services given the damage to our own fire station.” Community members have begun cleanup operations in collaboration with municipal teams including temporary shelters and food supplies are being coordinated for those displaced by the winds The severe winds have left a lasting impact on the Welkom community Families displaced by the destruction of their homes are receiving support from local organisations and government agencies several schools and businesses in the area have temporarily closed due to safety concerns and ongoing repair work This weather event has also disrupted economic activity in Welkom with many businesses affected by infrastructure damage Local leaders have called for swift interventions to help the community recover and rebuild The South African Weather Service is investigating whether the severe winds were caused by a tornado or an intense thunderstorm have previously occurred in the Free State Residents in the affected areas have been urged to remain indoors during any future storms and to secure loose items that could become hazardous in high winds This is not the first time the Free State has experienced severe weather conditions strong winds in the Eastern Free State destroyed over 50 homes and a school The region has seen an increase in extreme weather events raising concerns about preparedness and resilience 🔴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” Several homes and businesses were damaged when a funnel of wind similar to a tornado ripped through Welkom in Matjhabeng Municipality on Sunday led to significant structural damage across various parts of Welkom the Welkom Fire Station sustained serious damage resulting in all communication lines currently being offline Authorities are on the scene to assist residents and manage the aftermath of the storm In light of the communication challenges at the fire station residents are advised to call 083 580 6160 or 057 916 1100 in case of fire emergencies Numerous residents have taken to social media to share images and accounts of the damage caused by the tornado-like winds The South African Weather Service had issued a weather alert on Sunday for disruptive rains in several municipalities across the Free State The warning highlighted the potential for electricity supply disruptions and localized flooding in areas Emergency services continue to assess the full extent of the damage and are working diligently to restore normalcy to the affected areas Residents are urged to remain cautious and report any hazards to the authorities promptly and website in this browser for the next time I comment.