Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele Disbarred Advocate Lerata Shadrack Mashee (50) appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday 23, for alleged fraud, money laundering, and contravention of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014. The case against Lerata Shadrack Mashee was postponed to 2 March 2026 for bail application. The accused had been on the run since September 2025 until on 23 February 2026 when members of the Hawks, Tactical Response Team, and Crime Intelligenc

MEC Ketso Makume By: Staff Reporter The MEC for Finance, Tourism and Economic Development, Ketso Makume, officially declared the Lekgotla opened for the EXCO Provincial Budget Lekgotla held at Imvelo Safari Lodge on Tuesday 17. MEC Makume in his opening remarks urged delegates to tighten their belts and apply their expertise to advance the interests of the people of the Free State. These sentiments are made 3 days before the State of the Province Address (SOPA), which will b

Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele Vuyani Gibson Mpasie 27, a fake bursaries donor, masquerading as a Mangaung Metro official, appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court today (Mon) for formal bail hearing, for alleged corruption and extortion. The case against him was postponed to Monday, 16 February 2026 for a formal bail application after making his first appearance on Thursday last week. He is expected to reappear soon in court. On 5 February 2026, Serious Corruption Inv

Mohokare Arrive Alive festive season campaign By: Staff Reporter The Arrive Alive festive season safety campaign, led by Mohokare Municipality Mayor Teboho Mochechepa, successfully set a new standard for community-driven road safety. This event was a collaborative effort involving the Mohokare traffic division, Free State traffic officials, EMS, the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration, and SAPS. The campaign, under Mayor Mochechepa's leadership, achieved significant miles

Phumzile Mphephuka (P-RAPS) By: Neo Ntsele Emerging Hip-Hop artist Phumzile Mphephuka, stage name (P-RAPS), is a dynamic and emerging talent in the music industry, hailing from the vibrant town of Zastron Matlakeng. At just 22 years old, he has already carved out a unique space for himself in the world of hip-hop, showcasing his artistic vision and musical prowess. P-RAPS's journey into the realm of hip-hop music began at a young age, deeply rooted in his experiences during p

Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla and FS Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae By: Staff Reporter Premier Letsoha-Mathae’s advocacy for more women contractors has been validated. The successful completion of the Borwa Clinic, a state-of-the-art health facility in Tweespruit, by a woman-led construction company, strongly supports the Premier’s viewpoint. “Women contractors should be given the same opportunities as men, not just because they are women, but because they are compete

Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele The Free State Division of the High Court in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, the 3rd, sentenced Sello Cedric Pinkoane (52) to 14 years of direct imprisonment for fraud, uttering, and money laundering worth R64.8 million. In January 2017, the accused approached an elderly businesswoman with a business proposal. He claimed to have obtained a lucrative tender with a leading mining company. He informed the victim that he urgently needed vehicles and cas

President Cyril Ramaphosa By: Staff Reporter President Cyril Ramaphosa has denounced the mistreatment of women by men who use culture and tradition as a cover. On Thursday, 4, the President addressed the Free State Provincial Men’s Indaba during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. Addressing over 9,000 attendees at Lemo Green Park, President Ramaphosa stated that violence against women and children has reached intolerable levels. The President

Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mamoloko Kubayi By: Neo Ntsele A Safe Haven for Victims and a Step Toward Effective Prosecution. In South Africa, over the last six financial years, more than 100,000 cases involving child victims have been recorded. Among these, more than 22,000 were sexual offences. Recently, a 32-year-old man from Botshabelo in Mangaung was successfully prosecuted and convicted for sexually as

Xhariep District Mayor Irene Mehlomakhulu, at the World AIDS Day at Mooifontein Primary School, Zastron By: Neo Ntsele The Xhariep District Municipality, alongside Mohokare Local Municipality, the Department of Health, the Free State Premier's Office, local SAPS, SALGA, and the Department of Social Development, marked World AIDS Day by delivering an encouraging and unifying message to the residents of Zastron at Mooifontein Primary School. This joint event aimed to show solid

Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele A 58-year-old detective from the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit in Fouriesburg was arrested on Friday, the 28th, by the Bethlehem-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team. The arrest was prompted by intelligence that led the investigator to secure a search warrant and visit the suspect’s home. During the search, the South African Police Service (SAPS) found bags containing cellphones, used buccal samples, unfinished dock

Free State Leadership By: Neo Ntsele The long-awaited report on the Jagersfontein Development dam collapse reveals that the company might have been aware of the impending danger three years before the incident occurred. Experts from the University of Pretoria and the University of the Witwatersrand investigated the dam collapse. The report was formally presented to Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae. Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo and Sello Seitlholo, alon

Multi-disciplinary Operation By: Neo Ntsele An extensive operation involving the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry, Crime Intelligence, Hawks, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Police, K9 Unit, South African Revenue Service (SARS), Department of Home Affairs, Department of Social Development, Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and Department of Employment and Labour resulted in the arrest of a 47-y

Boitumelong Special School By: Neo Ntsele The Boitumelong Special School in Thaba Nchu, Free State, was heavily impacted by a gale storm that occurred on Sunday, the 23rd. This school, which serves 384 learners with severe intellectual disabilities, including 44 autistic learners, experienced extensive damage. Eight classrooms were affected, with roofs torn off and corrugated iron scattered throughout the premises and nearby areas. A teacher was injured when the ceiling colla

Poster By: Staff reporter The Department of Education has warned the matriculants of class of 2025 to refrain from hosting pens-down parties, as they normally do not end well, sometimes even leading to the death of some learners. "Class of 2025, your determination has brought you to the final phase of the exam season. Celebrate in ways that elevate you and honour the commitment that has steered your path. If an event promises excitement but lacks proper oversight or reliable

Football Fanatics, Khosi Fans By: Neo Ntsele On Saturday, the 22nd, the Zama Sports Ground in Zastron buzzed with activity as local football clubs' branches hosted fan games. This event showcased not only athletic skill but also unity and a shared love for football among Matlakeng residents. As fans gathered in team colours, the atmosphere was electric with chants, laughter, and camaraderie. Families, friends, and supporters created a community spirit, highlighting football's

NCOP Delegate Bheki Radebe By: Neo Ntsele The permanent delegates from the Free State to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) have raised concerns about incomplete Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) projects in the Nketoana Local Municipality. During the NCOP’s annual Provincial Week programme, the delegation visited sites in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality on Thursday, the 20th, to assess service delivery progress. Two major projects – a 3ML reservoi

MEC for Education, Dr Mamiki Julia Maboya By: Staff Reporter The Free State Department of Education, led by MEC Dr Mamiki Julia Maboya, strongly condemns the alarming and distressing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse against Henry Madlala, a former Mathematics teacher and currently the suspended Principal of New Horizon Independent School in Harrismith, Free State. These accusations have emerged through testimonies from former students, alumni networks, community voi

Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele Detectives from the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation have arrested Futhulu Patrick Mothamaha (52), the former municipal manager of Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality, and Lelokonyane Isak Letseng (45), director of Lesedi Khanya Energy, on charges of alleged fraud, theft, money laundering, and violation of the Municipal Finance Management Act concerning electricity transformers. The arrests were made on a warrant on Tuesday, the 18

Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele The Vrede Regional Court on Monday, 17, sentenced Zimbabwean Shepard Vareni (38) to seven years of direct imprisonment for damaging essential infrastructure, another seven years for stealing crude oil, and imposed a R5,000 fine or three months in prison for violating the Immigration Act. He was also deemed unfit to possess a firearm. The sentencing follows an incident on 25 September 2023, when security personnel were alerted to ongoing crude o