Marti Will
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Two men were arrested for possession of suspected gold bearing material during an anti-illegal mining operation in the Lejweleputswa District on Friday. The suspects, aged 25 and 40, were apprehended in Extension 3, Allanridge, after police spotted a group of individuals digging in the area.
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The case against nine Bultfontein police officers charged with murder has been transferred to the High Court of South Africa: Free State Division, in Welkom, for a pre-trial conference on 20 July. The nine members of the South African Police Service’s Public Order Policing Unit face four counts of murder following a fatal shooting in…
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BOTHAVILLE – The Free State High Court sitting in Welkom sentenced Sabata Nkatsa (31) to two life terms for murder and rape. The court heard that Nkatsa followed his victim to her destination in Bothaville in the early hours of Friday, 4 August 2023. He raped her and stabbed her 17 times with a knife…
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A joint oversight committee has revealed serious governance and financial issues in Free State municipalities, particularly Matjhabeng and Nala. Matjhabeng has accrued R18.8 billion in debt and suffers from severe service delivery failures. The DA calls for the removal of its mayor, while Nala faces ongoing financial challenges and accountability gaps.
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Schools and public facilities in Ngwathe face electricity disconnections due to late payments from government departments, impacting vulnerable residents and learners. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed concerns over the administrative failures causing service interruptions and is seeking to verify government-linked accounts to mitigate the situation for affected communities.
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The Free State Provincial Government has resolved the shutdown in Phomolong, Henneman, following protests over the Middelpunt Solar PV Project. A stakeholder meeting led to a Memorandum of Demands prioritizing local employment. Community leaders expressed appreciation for the government’s intervention, which restored essential services and ensured transparency in the recruitment process.
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Recent heavy rainfall has led Free State dams to reach 106.7% capacity, surpassing last year’s levels. Several dams, including Gariep at 109.1%, are overflowing. While this improves water storage, floods have caused property damage and impacted water services. Authorities urge water conservation and report infrastructure leaks. Caution is advised during floods.
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Seven-year-old Lesedi Khatoane from Welkom has achieved notable success by winning the Little Miss Universe 2026 and Top Model Of The World 2026 titles in Turkey. Since beginning her modeling career at age two-and-a-half, she has accumulated over 25 pageant titles, bringing recognition to South Africa and inspiring many.
