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Tag: FREE STATE

TRAFFIC COP SURVIVED 11 BULLETS DURING CASH HEIST
5Apr By News SANo Comments
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TRAFFIC COP SURVIVED 11 BULLETS DURING CASH HEIST

By Becker Semela: A marked traffic police car with some of the bullets holes after it was shot while passing a Cash Heist in action in Bloemfontein. Images: Supplied by SAPS A provincial traffic cop who was travelling home after knocking off, survived death when her car was hit by hail of bullets during a cash heist at OR Tambo Road on the outskirts of Bloemfontein on Friday morning (Easter Day) just after 6 am. Officer SPI Sefatsa who had just knocked off, met a scene near Hillside flats where the alleged robbers saw her marked vehicle while firing shots at a cash truck, they then fired her car with 11 bullets and she was hit by only one. According to the Community Safety, Roads and Transport MEC Jabu Mbalula, one bullet hit Sefatsa's left leg and she managed...
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Free State Declares 2026 a Year of Decisive Action
21Feb By News SANo Comments
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Free State Declares 2026 a Year of Decisive Action

By Rorisang Rampheteng: (Image supplied) The 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA) was held yesterday at the Old Grey Sports Grounds in Bloemfontein. The address was delivered by MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae during a sitting of the Free State Legislature. Government leaders, traditional leaders, guests and members of the public attended the event. Mathae used the platform to explain what the government will do in 2026, why urgent action is needed, how problems will be fixed and who will make sure the work is done. She officially declared 2026 as the “Year of Decisive Action to Fix Local Government and Transform the Economy.” Fixing Municipalities Mathae said many municipalities are facing serious Challenges. These include poor financial management, weak leaders...
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Drugs, guns and stolen phones seized as Operation Shanela II tightens grip on Free State crime
11Feb By News SANo Comments
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Drugs, guns and stolen phones seized as Operation Shanela II tightens grip on Free State crime

By Rorisang Rampheteng Integrated law-enforcement teams continued to assert the authority of the state across the Free State this week, with a series of drug and firearm arrests carried out under Operation Shanela II. The province-wide operations targeted drug trafficking, illegal firearms and organised crime, leading to multiple arrests and significant seizures in towns including Ficksburg, Phuthaditjhaba, Bloemfontein, Welkom and Qwaqwa. Dagga and Nyaope bust in Ficksburg In Ficksburg, members of the Visible Policing Unit arrested two suspects during a stop-and-search operation in Meqheleng Zone 2. Police pulled over a light green Toyota Corolla and discovered four blue plastic-wrapped parcels of dagga weighing 2.17kg. In a separate operation,...
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Free State NSC results fall short of expectations but province maintains strong ranking
16Jan By News SANo Comments
News

Free State NSC results fall short of expectations but province maintains strong ranking

By Rorisang Rampheteng: The pictures show Free State matric top performers and government officials, including Education MEC Dr Mantlhake Julia Maboya, during a media briefing held this morning ( Friday). (Images: By Rorisang Rampheteng) Although the Free State secured second place nationally in the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results, concerns have been raised that the province’s overall performance did not fully meet expectations. The concerns were raised by the Free State MEC for Education, Dr Mantlhake Julia Maboya, during a media briefing held this morning ( Friday).  MEC admits targets were not met  Maboya acknowledged that while the province remains among the top-performing nationally, the department had hoped for stronger outcomes, especi...
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Rivers Collide, Engines Roar: Free State 4×4 Eco Challenge
24Nov By News SANo Comments
Sports

Rivers Collide, Engines Roar: Free State 4×4 Eco Challenge

By Boitumelo Shuping:   Ford Raptor powers through the Orange River, testing its limits on the rugged 4×4 Eco Challenge route at Tussen Die Riviere Nature Reserve. (Image: Steven Kobedi) The Free State’s vast wilderness came alive as adventure seekers descended on Tussen Die Riviere (TDR) Nature Reserve near Bethulie for the annual 4×4 Eco Challenge, hosted by the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) on 22 November 2025. Water crossings and mountain climbs The challenge unfolded with a dramatic water crossing as vehicles eased into the Orange River before moving toward the steep koppies. As the convoy climbed the rising slopes, participants could look back and see the deep orange shimmer of the river...
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THINK LOCAL: Makume urges Free State to turn tourism into economic power
7Nov By News SANo Comments
Travel

THINK LOCAL: Makume urges Free State to turn tourism into economic power

By Boitumelo Shuping: Visitors enjoy a scenic boat cruise at Gariep Dam, one of the activities available to tourists exploring the Free State’s largest water attraction. The Free State’s 2025 summer tourism campaign was launched on Thursday, 6 November, at the Gariep Dam Forever Resort, where MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Ketso Makume, urged residents to “think local” and support domestic travel as a way to strengthen the provincial economy. Makume did not only speak about leisure. His message carried a challenge, saying the province’s economic revival depends on how locals value and invest in their own attractions. Gariep Dam - a tourist gem on its own Gariep Dam, one of Africa’s largest reservoirs, provided a f...
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World’s first giraffe research centre launched in Brandfort in the Free State Province
1Nov By News SANo Comments
News

World’s first giraffe research centre launched in Brandfort in the Free State Province

By Boitumelo Shuping: Professor Francois Deacon, lead investigator of the Giraffe Research Centre, speaks at the centre’s launch in Brandfort, Free State. Image: UFS/Facebook. A world-first Giraffe Research Centre has officially been launched at Amanzi Private Game Reserve in Brandfort, Free State, marking a historic moment for wildlife conservation and reproductive science. The centre, led by Professor Francois Deacon, a habitat ecology expert at the University of the Free State (UFS), pioneers advanced reproductive and behavioural studies on wild giraffes. A unique place for this project The 6,500-hectare Amanzi Private Game Reserve was chosen for its unique capacity to host extensive wildlife studies and accommodate international collaborations. “If you get to...
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POLICE MARCH AGAINST KILLINGS AND GBV: But residents say action speaks louder than words
4Oct By News SANo Comments
News

POLICE MARCH AGAINST KILLINGS AND GBV: But residents say action speaks louder than words

By Becker Semela: Dipolelo Hou from Buang Basadi, who emphasised GBV. (Image: Supplied by SAPS) Free State Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Baile Motswenyane, says that with their protest march, the police stand firm against police murders. She led a strong march against police killings and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in Mangaung on Friday, 26 September. A joint effort against the scourge She described the march as a show of unity with police, churches, NGOs and government officials walking together to call for an end to violent crime. "The issue of violence cannot be ignored; we cannot sit back while our police officers are targeted and our communities continue to suffer from senseless violence. This is a fight for all of us. P...
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SPORTS: SCHOOLS SHINE: Kay Motsepe Championships winners eyeing R3 million national prize money
26Aug By News SANo Comments
Sports

SPORTS: SCHOOLS SHINE: Kay Motsepe Championships winners eyeing R3 million national prize money

By Mandla Nkosi: Brebner Primary u/13 boys celebrating their victory (Image: Wandile Jona) The Free State leg of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Foundation Schools Championship took place on Saturday at the University of the Free State (UFS), where schools battled for top honours and a chance to qualify for the national finals. Teams dribble to victory The competition saw 19 schools taking part, with 12 primary schools contesting in the under-13 boys and girls categories, while six secondary schools competed in the under-19 division. In the under-13 boys final, Brebner Primary from Bloemfontein edged Boikokobetso Primary from Kroonstad 1-0 in a tightly contested match. The under-13 girls' final produced strong performances, with JB Tyu Primary from Rouxville defeating Bhe...
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ANC GATVOL: Takes steps to remove corrupt mayors from six municipalities 
23Aug By News SANo Comments
Politics

ANC GATVOL: Takes steps to remove corrupt mayors from six municipalities 

By Becker Semela: The fed-up ANC in the Free State has announced a decisive move to remove mayors from six municipalities following ongoing corruption and service delivery failures. Provincial spokesperson Polediso Motsoeneng confirmed that the affected municipalities are Mafube, Moqhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana, Nala local municipalities and Lejweleputswa District Municipality. He said the removals aim to restore public trust and improve service delivery in these struggling municipalities. Feed up and action "The ANC’s commitment to clean governance and accountability is being put to the test as the party prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections. We are fed-up with poor service delivery, corruption, etc. Now is the time to remove them and replace the...
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