The GUARD Newspaper

19/06/2026

THE GUARD NEWSPAPER 📰 EDITION FRIDAY 19TH JUNE 2026.

READ MORE STORIES AT www.theguard.co.za

PLEASE DO FOLLOW US AT The GUARD Newspaper

18/06/2026

Bafana live to see another day at WC | The Guard

QWAQWA - Bethlehem born Teboho Mokoena brought Bafana Bafaba to life when he scored crucial penalty at 83rd minute, equalizing after Czechia Republic had led by Michael Sadilik.

18/06/2026

“I have experienced the same hostile treatment that Julius Malema faced during his time in the ANC Youth League,”...as EFF axes 4 MAP councillors as regional chairman quits ahead of local elections | The Guard

QWAQWA – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Maluti-a-Phofung has been plunged into turmoil ahead of the upcoming local government elections after four municipal councillors were expelled from the party while regional chairperson Mohau Molwele resigned from both the EFF and his position as a di...

15/06/2026

“Illegal occupation of land disrupts municipal spatial planning and infrastructure development. It also puts people’s lives in danger because they build homes without knowing what infrastructure may exist beneath the ground,”... Do not occupy land illegally – Thebe | The Guard

QWAQWA – Maluti-a-Phofung Executive Mayor Tumelo Thebe has issued a stern warning to residents against the illegal occupation of land, saying the practice undermines township development plans, disrupts infrastructure projects, and places lives at risk

15/06/2026

“We are extremely disappointed. Community members came here prepared to present practical solutions and requests for support so that they can create jobs and fight poverty. Instead, government departments failed to show up,”...as SACP takes fight to Premier after govt snubs community march | The Guard

QWAQWA – The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District has vowed to escalate its demands to the Free State Premier's Office after government departments failed to attend and receive a memorandum of grievances during a community march in Phuthaditjhaba on Friday.

15/06/2026

Ho fumanwa ka setopo nokeng Clubview | The Guard

QWAQWA - Seponesa sa Phuthaditjhaba se re se fuputsa nyewe ya polao kamora ho fumanwa ha setopo sa monna a sa tsejweng nokeng haufinyana le Clubview, ka Labone 11 Phupjane.

15/06/2026

“Investigations have revealed that in July 2021, the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court declared the suspect unfit to possess a firearm. It was further established that the suspect was allegedly in possession of fi****ms without the prescribed competency certificate,”...as Hawks probe municipal manager’s bodyguard over illegal fi****ms | The Guard

QWAQWA – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in the Free State is continuing its investigation into a Maluti-a-Phofung municipal manager’s close protection officer after charges relating to the alleged possession of illegal fi****ms and ammunition were provisionally withdraw...

13/06/2026

Hawks probe municipal manager’s bodyguard over illegal fi****ms



By Teboho Moloi



QWAQWA – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in the Free State is continuing its investigation into a Maluti-a-Phofung municipal manager’s close protection officer after charges relating to the alleged possession of illegal fi****ms and ammunition were provisionally withdrawn pending further investigation.



The 51-year old law enforcement officer was arrested on Thursday, 11 June, during the State of the Municipality Address at the Phuthaditjhaba Community Hall. The operation was carried out by the Bethlehem Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, supported by the Tactical Response Team (TRT).



According to the Hawks, officers acted on intelligence indicating that the suspect was allegedly in possession of fi****ms unlawfully. A search reportedly led to the discovery of a firearm and ammunition in his possession. A subsequent search at his residence uncovered another firearm, a magazine and additional ammunition.



Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli said investigations revealed that the suspect had previously been declared unfit to possess a firearm by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court in July 2021.



“Investigations have revealed that in July 2021, the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court declared the suspect unfit to possess a firearm. It was further established that the suspect was allegedly in possession of fi****ms without the prescribed competency certificate,” said Mohobeleli.



The suspect was expected to face charges relating to the unlawful possession of fi****ms and ammunition, as well as contraventions of the Fi****ms Control Act. However, the matter was provisionally withdrawn to allow investigators to finalise outstanding aspects of the case.



The arrest has raised concerns given the suspect’s role as a close protection officer attached to a senior municipal official.

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

Mongodi wa SACP seterekeng sa Thabo Mofutanayana Lifa Mhlambe ore masepala wa Maluti A Phofung o fetotswe kgomu ya lebese ya ho hangwa ke bohle ba batlang ho ithuhisa ka ho una tjheleteng ya phano ya ditshebeletso tsa setjhaba.

Ore mmuso o lokela ho fedisa mokena dipakeng mahareng a masepala le phano ya ditshebeletso tse libileng ho baahi.

Kgatiso ka Teboho Moloi