Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele The quick action by Bloemspruit police resulted in the prompt arrest of a 38-year-old suspect related to the alleged murder of his wife in Grasslands Three, Bloemfontein. The incident took place on the evening of Wednesday, 15 July 2026. Around 19:10, Bloemspruit police responded to a report of a suspected murder at a local residence. When they arrived, officers encountered a tenant living on the property. It is reported that the tenant came ho

By: Neo Ntsele Authorities in Zastron are probing a murder case. This follows an event that took place near Early Birds Tavern in Itumeleng Location, Matlakeng in Zastron around 13:30 on Sunday, 12 July 2026. A 20-year-old suspect from Phomolong Location, also in Matlakeng Zastron, has been apprehended and will soon appear in the Zastron Magistrate’s court. On Sunday, 12 July 2026, while on duty, members of the Visible Policing Unit received a report from the Zastron SAPS Com

By: Neo Ntsele The SAPS in the Free State has confirmed that a Culpable Homicide case has been initiated and is under investigation after a person was struck by a vehicle on Sunday, 5 July 2026, around 05:38 on Tau Street, Blomanda, Bloemfontein. No arrests have been made so far, as the investigation is still ongoing. Once all witness statements and pending reports, such as the post-mortem report, are received and reviewed, the case file will be forwarded to the Senior State

Free State Province Operation Shanela II By: Neo Ntsele Various units of the South African Police Service, along with officials from the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Labour, Department of Economic, Small Business Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, South African Revenue Services, and Mangaung Metro Municipality Law Enforcement, conducted policing actions. These included high visibility patrols (1,015

Lefu Andrew Mofokeng By: Staff Reporter The Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation detectives in Bethlehem are appealing to members of the public in Vrede and the surrounding areas to assist with information regarding the whereabouts of Lefu Andrew Mofokeng (44), who is being sought as a person of interest in an ongoing investigation into a case of possession of suspected stolen property. Anyone with information that may assist in locating Mofokeng is urged to contact Detect

Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia By: Neo Ntsele The Free State SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, praised the unwavering commitment of the multidisciplinary teams who tirelessly worked to uphold law and order during the planned national shutdown on 30 June 2026 and beyond. While Bloemfontein witnessed a day of peaceful marches, other districts in the Free State province unfortunately faced incidents of public violence, looting, and property damage

Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele Five suspects, aged between 19 and 35, appeared in Zastron Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, facing a murder charge. They joined another suspect, aged 29, who was charged with attempted murder. This is related to a group fight incident in Zastron. On Sunday, 21/06, at 09:23, police responded to a report of people fighting in public. Upon their arrival, Emergency Medical Service personnel at the scene indicated a man in an ambulance

Intercepted Truck By: Staff Reporter The dedication and swift action of off-duty members from the Fezile Dabi District Infrastructure Task Team resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of copper cable suspected to be stolen, valued at over R1.8 million. On Wednesday, 17 June 2026, around 19:00, team members on their rest days received a tip-off about a truck carrying copper cable from Welkom. The tip-off further suggested that the truck was supposed to pick up

By: Neo Ntsele A 51-year-old suspect is set to appear in the Rouxville Magistrate’s Court soon, facing charges of attempted murder and rape. The suspect was apprehended shortly after the victim reported the incident to the Rouxville police in the morning, prompting a swift arrest. The 50-year-old complainant, who is also the victim, claims that on 13 June 2026, she was drinking at her neighbor’s house from 14:00. As night fell, she decided to return home to sleep, as she was

By: Neo Ntsele After a video clip emerged on various social media platforms showing a physical altercation where a male individual is seen attacking a 21-year-old woman, police have confirmed that a 22-year-old high school student has been arrested and charged. A University of the Free State (UFS) student teacher was attacked while doing her teaching practicals near Lekhulong Secondary School in Rocklands, Bloemfontein. The incident has gained widespread attention on social m

Seized firearm and money By: Neo Ntsele In a collaborative effort to bolster border security and curb illegal activities, Operation Shanela II, a multi-disciplinary joint operation, achieved noteworthy results on the R726 near Zastron. On Monday, June 8, 2026, at approximately 12:00, law enforcement agencies established a significant roadblock on the R726. This integrated operation involved various specialized units, including the Anti-Gang Unit (Bloemfontein), K9 Unit (Welko

By: Neo Ntsele The Free State police have expressed approval of the significant sentence given by the Welkom Regional Court to 48-year-old Mzinkwe Leonard Binda, who received a life imprisonment sentence on Tuesday, 02 June 2026. The Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, praised the excellent collaboration between SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Binda’s conviction marks a victory for forensic science and thorough investigativ

Rescued Pangolin By: Neo Ntsele Four suspects, aged between 47 and 62, are set to appear in the Welkom Magistrates Court on Friday (today) for allegedly violating the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 and the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. Members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit of the Hawks and the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit responded to intelligence regarding a group of suspects involved in selling pangolins. On 4 June 2026, the

Recovered Cash By: Neo Ntsele The SAPS Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General Solomon Lesia, has applauded a multidisciplinary team led by Crime Intelligence for the successful arrest of two wanted cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery suspects and the recovery of stolen money following a cross pavement robbery in Welkom. The incident occurred at Cash and Carry in Welkom when security officers were collecting money from the store on Saturday, 23 May 2026, at a

By: Neo Ntsele On Wednesday, 20 May 2026, off-duty members from the Mangaung Metro District Operational Command Centre (DOCC) East Task Team acted promptly on a tip-off. The information indicated that an adult male was allegedly selling drugs at the Thaba Nchu taxi rank. The team quickly mobilised and headed to the bustling transit location. Upon arrival, they identified a male who matched the provided description. With tactical precision, the officers approached and apprehen

Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele Ente Thibello Sekhoto (51) and his company, Batlokoa Circle 12 Plaster Services (Pty) Ltd, were sentenced on 13 May 2026 by the Heilbron Magistrates' Court for fraud and money laundering related to the Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS). In 2020, Sekhoto fraudulently applied for Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefits for individuals who were not actually employed by the company. Due to this fraudulent application, the Un

By: Neo Ntsele On 11 May 2026, members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation in Bethlehem executed a search and seizure operation at the residence of a police official in Villiers as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected stolen property. During the operation, two motorcycles suspected to be stolen were recovered. A 45-year-old police Sergeant was subsequently arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen property, fraud, and defeating the ends of j

By: Neo Ntsele The accused, Sibusiso Mbuli, aged 27, was sentenced before Botshabelo Regional Court on 08 May 2026 to two life terms imprisonment for two counts of rape, 15 years' for robbery with aggravating circumstances and a further three years for robbery. Selosesha SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) were tasked to investigate two cases of robbery and rape that had the same modus operandi. The accused, Sibusiso Mbuli, lured female victi

By: Staff Reporter The Free State Provincial Serial Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) Unit has made significant strides in dismantling a dangerous syndicate responsible for a wave of terror across the Lejweleputswa District. ​For over a decade, the syndicate targeted residents in Virginia, Welkom, and Odendaalsrus, committing a series of violent offenses including house robberies, housebreaking, attempted murder, and rape. ​The breakthrough in these cold cases is attribut

Crime Scene Logo By: Neo Ntsele On 4 May 2026, the Bethlehem Magistrates Court sentenced Ernest Ratladiela Semela, aged 26, to a seven-year prison term for drug dealing. In April 2024, Bethlehem detectives acted on a tip about an unlicensed firearm at a shack in Captain Charles, Bohlokong. During their search of the premises, they found several sachets of crystal meth, mandrax tablets, nyaope plastic wraps, dagga, and more than R56,000 in cash. The accused was immediately arr