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The Gatepost News Online, Ladybrand (2026)

24/08/2026

Khalipha tests ANC credibility

THE ANC’s decision to put convicted Matjhabeng mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha forward as one of its mayoral candidates has turned the party’s promise of clean, responsive local government into a test of political credibility.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula announced 226 mayoral candidates for 50 municipalities on Saturday, August 22, following what the party described as a rigorous interview process led by its national executive committee.

Khalipha’s selection is likely to attract particular scrutiny because it comes despite his criminal conviction and amid continuing concerns about Matjhabeng’s finances, governance and service delivery.

Khalipha (pictured), was convicted by the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court in November 2024 on one count of assault and two counts of crimen injuria arising from an incident involving his driver and bodyguard during a tense community meeting.
In December, he was fined R5,000 for assault and R1,000 on each of the two crimen injuria counts, with imprisonment as an alternative. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

He subsequently sought leave to appeal the judgment, arguing, among other things, that the court had erred in its findings.
The conviction is only one part of the controversy surrounding his candidacy.
Matjhabeng, which includes Welkom and other Goldfields towns, remains under intense financial and administrative pressure.
A provincial intervention team led by former Free State MEC Makalo Mohale has raised serious concerns about the municipality’s financial management and its cooperation with efforts to stabilise the institution.

According to recent reports, the municipality’s creditors increased by about R3 billion while its debtors’ book grew from roughly R8 billion to more than R9 billion.
The intervention team has also criticised low infrastructure-maintenance spending and alleged irregular appointments. Khalipha has rejected claims that the municipality is refusing to cooperate with the intervention.
The political contradiction is difficult to miss.

Mbalula’s own message to the ANC’s mayoral candidates centres on accountability and delivery.
Candidates are expected to commit to seven minimums, including reliable water and sanitation, honest billing, funded budgets, clean audits, an end to wasteful expenditure, functioning roads and refuse collection, jobs, safety and responsiveness.

Yet Khalipha’s nomination places those promises against a municipality where financial distress and service-delivery failures remain central political issues.
The ANC’s relationship with Khalipha has also been complicated. He previously faced internal party disciplinary action and was asked to step aside by the ANC’s provincial leadership while his criminal case was being dealt with.
His leadership has since continued to generate criticism from opposition parties, organised labour and others who have raised concerns about working conditions, governance and political interference.
There is, however, another side to Khalipha’s political story. Mbalula previously praised him publicly for his approach to service delivery and infrastructure during the funeral of former Free State education MEC Tate Makgoe in 2023.
That history makes the latest nomination more than a controversial personnel decision. It raises a broader question about what the ANC considers acceptable leadership at municipal level. –OFM NEWS

19/08/2026

Nurse r**e case heads to regional court
The prosecution of a 39-year-old hospital patient accused of ra**ng a nurse has moved into a more serious phase, with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) securing the transfer of the case to the Odendaalsrus Regional Court for trial.
Molahlehi Peter Takalimane faces three counts of r**e, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property.
He appeared briefly in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court, which transferred the matter to the regional court.
Takalimane is due back in court on August 26 for trial-related proceedings, Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said.
The allegations stem from an incident on May 13 at Thusanong Hospital, where Takalimane was an admitted patient.
According to the state, the events unfolded inside the hospital when Takalimane allegedly chased female nurses through ward corridors before forcibly pulling a 60-year-old professional nurse into a toilet.
The prosecution alleges that the nurse was punched and kicked before being r**ed.
The state further alleges that a glass door and the nurse’s spectacles were damaged during the incident.
Takalimane first appeared in court on May 15. When he returned on June 12, he initially indicated that he would apply for bail but later abandoned the application. He remains in custody.
The case places the safety of healthcare workers at the centre of proceedings, with the NPA describing the alleged attack as particularly serious because the victim was reportedly performing her professional duties.
“Healthcare workers play a vital role in society and have the right to perform their responsibilities in a safe and secure environment,” Senokoatsane said.
The NPA said it would present its case before the regional court and pursue the prosecution “without fear, favour, or prejudice”. – OFM NEWS

19/08/2026

Mokwena’s trust gamble

FOR Papi Mokwena, Mangaung’s biggest crisis is not simply a shortage of jobs, failing infrastructure or economic decline.

It is a breakdown of trust, and he believes rebuilding that trust must come before the city can attract investment or create sustainable employment.

The Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats (AASD) leader is positioning trust, accountability and economic inclusion at the centre of the party’s campaign ahead of the November local government elections.
Speaking to OFM News at the party’s offices at Hostel 1 in Bloemfontein, Mokwena (pictured), argued that Mangaung needs a fundamental reset in the way its municipality engages with residents, businesses and institutions.

His starting point is collaboration.
Mokwena wants the metro to bring together businesses, banks, universities and communities to develop a shared economic plan, while restoring ward committees as meaningful platforms for residents to influence municipal decisions.

“We should be able to bring together all people in Mangaung, banks, universities and say, what is our plan for Mangaung going forward?” he said.
For Mokwena, the failure to maintain that dialogue has created a deeper problem than poor communication: residents have become disconnected from the city they are supposed to help shape.

He says functional ward committees and responsive municipal structures are essential to reversing that alienation.
The same principle, he argues, applies to investors.

Mangaung cannot expect businesses to commit capital if municipal processes are unpredictable or difficult to navigate.

Mokwena believes the metro needs a professional administration capable of providing clear processes, certainty and dedicated support to potential investors.
“There are people who want to invest in this city, but they can’t because it’s not open, it’s not transparent,” he said.
That makes administrative competence a central part of his political proposition.
Mokwena says leadership must be consistent and trustworthy, while municipal officials must be able to respond to residents’ problems and provide meaningful answers.
The economic objective is equally direct: create an environment in which local enterprises can grow and residents can participate more fully in the economy.
AASD Ward 32 councillor candidate Zwelakhe Msabi says the party would prioritise local enterprise, skills development, job creation and broader economic participation.
But both Mokwena and Msabi acknowledge that rebuilding Mangaung will not be quick.
The municipality continues to face persistent water and sanitation challenges despite substantial public investment in infrastructure. The AASD says a clean and capable administration must also be held accountable for electricity, roads, waste removal and the effectiveness of municipal complaint systems.
Mokwena’s pitch therefore goes beyond fixing individual services. He is seeking to rebuild the relationship between the municipality and the people who live and work in it.
That relationship, he argues, is the foundation for everything else: investment, employment, better services and ultimately a renewed sense of ownership of Mangaung.
“It’s about trust of people. It’s leadership that is consistent, trustworthy and capable,” Mokwena said. – OFM NEWS

17/08/2026

Virginia double murder: No suspects, no arrests

FREE State police are intensifying their investigation into the brutal double murder of a father and son in Virginia, with detectives yet to identify or arrest any suspects more than a week after the bodies were discovered.

The deaths of Fanie Fourie, 68, and his son, Dawie Fourie, 40, were formally confirmed by their next of kin on Monday, August 3.
Police are treating the case as a house robbery that escalated into murder, although investigators have stressed that this remains the working motive and could change as evidence emerges.

The investigation began on Thursday, July 30, after police received a complaint of a possible murder at a property in Tulbagh Street. When officers arrived, they were directed to an outside room, where they made a gruesome discovery.

According to Free State police spokesperson Sgt Palesa Thabana, both victims had been bound by their hands and feet.
Blood was found on the floor, while one victim had plastic covering his head and the other had a wire around his neck.

The circumstances surrounding the discovery have become a key part of the investigation.
The victims had reportedly been missing before neighbours and private security officers searched the premises and eventually gained access to the outside room.

Post-mortem examinations have since provided investigators with crucial forensic evidence, confirming strangulation and suffocation as the causes of death.
Police say forensic investigations have been conducted, but no new breakthrough evidence has emerged.

Investigators are also pursuing the disappearance of a silver Hyundai Getz belonging to one of the victims.
Police believe the vehicle may have been taken during the alleged robbery and could potentially provide an important lead in tracing those responsible.

The investigation has widened further following indications that two fi****ms may also have been taken from the property. Detectives will now be seeking to establish whether the missing vehicle, fi****ms and other evidence can help reconstruct what happened before the killings.

Despite the severity of the crime, police say there is currently no evidence linking the Virginia double murder to other recent crimes in the area.

The provincial murder and robbery unit is appealing for information that could help identify the perpetrators. Anyone with information can contact Capt Gerrie Nel on 082 506 8432, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or submit an anonymous tip through the MySAPS app. – OFM NEWS

11/08/2026

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10/08/2026

FROM CAMPUS APP TO NATIONAL AMBITION

WHAT began as a solution to a familiar student problem, getting food without leaving residence is now becoming an ambitious technology business with plans to expand beyond the University of the Free State.

CartZA, a food delivery platform developed by UFS students in early 2025, has gained national recognition after securing three awards at the 2026 Enactus South Africa National Exposition. The platform currently has 11 restaurant partners and has recorded more than 2,000 downloads within the UFS community.

But its founders say the business is about more than delivering meals.
CartZA allows students to pre-order food from restaurants on campus and have their meals delivered directly to their residences.

For Chief Operating Officer Kenny Netshetanzwani, the idea grew from a broader interest in entrepreneurship and finding practical solutions to problems within communities.

The company’s recognition at the Enactus exposition suggests that its ambitions are extending beyond convenience.
CartZA reached the national semi-finals, placed second in the Harmony Business Innovation Award category and won first place in the MTN Digital Transformation Award category.

Chief Executive Officer Richard Molefe says the company is already generating revenue through its platform.
Restaurants determine the prices of their products, after which CartZA applies a mark-up when the items are sold through the app.
Molefe (pictured), describes the business as profitable and still in a growth phase, with rapid expansion beginning to stabilise.

One of CartZA’s more significant ambitions is to make its platform accessible to students with disabilities.
The company is currently streamlining a programme designed to enable blind and deaf students to order through the app.

That focus on inclusion could become an important part of CartZA’s identity as it grows.
Its founders are also looking beyond the immediate food-delivery model, with plans to introduce an inventory management system for restaurant partners.
The system is intended to help restaurants monitor stock and spoilage dates, reducing the risk of students receiving expired or spoiled products.

Growth, however, has exposed challenges of its own. Netshetanzwani says coordinating deliveries around student schedules has sometimes proved difficult, particularly during examination, test and assignment periods, when orders can take longer to be accepted.

Judges at the national exposition also challenged CartZA to rethink its delivery network, suggesting that it could broaden its pool of delivery members beyond students to include people living in communities surrounding universities.

The company is already preparing for that next stage. Its immediate expansion targets include Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape and the Central University of Technology in the Free State. – OFM News

06/08/2026

PIONEER POLICE CAPTAIN ENDS 35-YEAR CAREER

THE retirement of Captain Kelebogile Masita marks the end of an era for the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State, closing the chapter on a career defined by resilience, pioneering leadership and a commitment to serving communities across the province for more than three decades.

Masita (pictured), 60, officially retired after 35 years and six months in the police service.
Her long career was celebrated at a farewell gala dinner hosted by Mangaung Metro police management at the Blue Gem Restaurant, where colleagues, family members and friends gathered to honour her contribution to policing.
Recently appointed North West police commissioner Lt. Gen. Arthur Adams, who previously served as Masita's commander in the Free State, delivered the keynote address.

He praised her professionalism, unwavering dedication and people-centred leadership, describing her as an officer who earned the respect of both colleagues and the communities she served.
Masita's policing journey began on January 30, 1991 in her hometown of Bethulie before she enrolled at the SAPS Training College in Hammanskraal later that year.

According to Free State police spokesperson Lt. Col. Thabo Covane, she was the only recruit who weighed less than the required 50kg during training.
Rather than becoming a setback, the challenge strengthened her resolve and laid the foundation for a career marked by determination and perseverance.
She went on to break several barriers in the Free State. Masita became the first Black woman police officer stationed in Bethulie before making history again as the first Black station commander in Fauresmith in 2005.
Five years later, she achieved another milestone when she became the first Black station commander in Edenburg.

Her leadership also produced tangible results. Under her command, Fauresmith police station was nominated for the Best Police Station Award in 2009, reflecting a commitment to effective policing and improved service delivery.
Addressing guests at her farewell, Masita thanked colleagues, relatives and friends for supporting her throughout her career.
She expressed gratitude for the relationships forged over the years and humbly asked forgiveness from anyone she may have offended during her years of service.

Police management described her legacy as one of resilience, servant leadership and professionalism that will continue inspiring future generations of officers.
Her retirement follows that of former Free State head of corporate communication Brig. Motantsi Makhele, another veteran who concluded more than three decades of service, signalling the departure of two influential figures whose careers helped shape policing in the province. – OFM News

05/08/2026

Ficksburg robbery erupts into gun battle

A routine evening at a Ficksburg supermarket descended into chaos when armed robbers exchanged gunfire with police, leaving one suspected robber dead and two police officers and a supermarket employee wounded.

The dramatic confrontation unfolded at about 6pm on Monday, August 3, after police responded to reports of an armed business robbery at a chain supermarket.

According to Free State police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, shoppers fled the store in panic as officers arrived at the scene.

"Suspects allegedly opened fire on police as members approached, prompting officers to return fire," said Mophiring.

During the exchange, one suspected robber was fatally wounded, while his accomplices escaped on foot under the cover of darkness.
Police recovered a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off, along with ammunition, next to the deceased suspect.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the remaining suspects, who are believed to have fled into nearby areas.
Investigators are also working to establish the identity of the deceased and determine whether any cash or merchandise was stolen during the robbery.

The two injured police officers and the wounded supermarket employee were taken to separate hospitals for emergency treatment.
Their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, although police have not released further details on their conditions.

Cases of business robbery, three counts of attempted murder and an inquest have been opened.
In line with standard procedure following a police shooting, the inquest into the death of the suspect has been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for investigation.

Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist in locating the fleeing suspects to come forward as investigations continue into the violent robbery that shook the eastern Free State town. – BLOEM EXPRESS

04/08/2026

Minister Unveils FMD Vaccination Drive

AGRICULTURE Minister Willie Aucamp has announced a new self-vaccination programme for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), giving livestock owners greater responsibility in protecting their herds as the Free State continues to battle the outbreak.

The Department of Agriculture has launched an online application portal that allows cattle owners and managers to apply for authorisation to vaccinate their own animals against FMD.
The initiative is intended to strengthen the country's response to the disease by speeding up access to vaccinations while easing pressure on veterinary services.

According to Aucamp (pictured), the new system will enable livestock owners to register on the national FMD reporting platform and apply to become authorised vaccinators.
Farmers who choose to participate in the voluntary programme will be responsible for purchasing the vaccines used on their animals. Government, however, will continue to supply vaccines in areas where new outbreaks are detected and to farmers who cannot afford to buy them.

The announcement comes as the Free State records another increase in FMD cases.
In its latest weekly update, the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs confirmed 42 new clinically diagnosed cases, bringing the province's total to 728.
Despite the continued spread of the disease, officials reported progress in containing outbreaks.

Of the confirmed cases, 317 have been successfully resolved after affected farms complied with quarantine requirements and completed the prescribed disease control measures, allowing restrictions to be lifted.
Provincial authorities have meanwhile expressed concern over livestock owners who fail to report suspected infections.

The department emphasised that reporting suspected FMD cases is both a legal obligation and a critical component of disease surveillance, containment and eradication.
In terms of Government Gazette No. 54969, Government Notice No. 7668, published on July 8, all suspected cases must be reported immediately on the same day they are identified.

Early reporting allows veterinary officials to investigate outbreaks promptly, impose quarantine where necessary and implement appropriate disease control measures to limit further spread.

The provincial department has urged farmers to continue submitting vaccination requests and to make use of the new national self-vaccination system.
Officials believe that faster vaccination, combined with strict disease reporting and adherence to biosecurity measures, will play a key role in containing the outbreak and protecting the province's livestock industry. – BLOEMFONTEIN COURANT

03/08/2026

DRIVER QUESTIONED AFTER N1 CRASH

THE driver of the bus involved in the devastating N1 crash in the Free State that claimed the lives of 10 Zimbabwean nationals has been taken into police custody for questioning as investigations into the tragedy intensify.

Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli confirmed that the driver was detained on Friday as part of the ongoing culpable homicide investigation.
He said the questioning forms a standard part of the police probe into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.

The accident occurred at about 9:30pm on Thursday on the N1, approximately 24 kilometres outside Trompsburg in the direction of Edenburg.
The bus, travelling from Cape Town to Zimbabwe, was carrying 66 passengers when the driver allegedly lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn.

Ten passengers died at the scene. The victims comprise four adult women, one adult man, three girls and two boys.
Authorities have not yet released their identities or ages, pending formal identification and notification of their families.

Their bodies have been taken to the Free State government mortuary, where post-mortem examinations will be conducted.
Emergency services treated dozens of injured passengers following the crash.

Most sustained minor injuries and were discharged on Friday after receiving medical care at Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein and Alfred Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg. They have since continued their journey to Zimbabwe on another bus.

However, several passengers remain hospitalised with serious injuries. Free State Department of Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said four patients are in critical condition, with one requiring mechanical ventilation. Fourteen others underwent X-ray examinations as doctors assessed the extent of their injuries.

The crash prompted the closure of the N1 for several hours while emergency personnel, forensic investigators and traffic officials responded to the scene and cleared the wreckage.

Police investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to establish the exact cause of the crash. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether any criminal charges are pursued beyond the current culpable homicide inquiry. – BLOEM EXPRESS

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