Weatherlandsaheavyblow
TEBOHO SETENA
The Free State Department of Education is counting the costs of extensive damage to the Boitumelong Special School in Thaba Nchu, caused by a gale-force storm that wreaked havoc at midday on Monday 24 November The destructive storm ripped off multiple corrugated iron roofs.
The natural incident has led to an abrupt standstill of learning and teaching programmes
The provincial department is in the process of quantifying the costs of rebuilding the badly damaged sections of the school’s infrastructure
The unexpected incident reportedly occurred while learning programmes were in progress
Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the department, said classes have been suspended for safe re-organisation and assessment of damage
He said the incident has affected 384 learners with severe intellectual disabilities, including a group of 44 autistic learners
The school caters for Gr 1 to Gr 5 learners
All learners have been returned to their homes until further notice as part of the departmental assessment process of damages due to the natural
incident
Ndaba said no fatalities occurred as a result of the incident and that an injured teacher was on the mend The teacher sustained a minor injury after part of the ceiling collapsed in one of the buildings at the school
“Eight classrooms were damaged as multiple roofs were blown off Several autistic learners experienced severe meltdowns due to the traumatic incident,” said Ndaba
He said the department was in the process of providing emergency intervention including psychosocial support for those experiencing post-traumatic stress
“Infrastructure support is being mobilised to mitigate further damage from ongoing rainfall,” he said
The department is appealing for public assistance to restore damaged parts of the school’s infrastructure
“The school welcomes assistance from contractors, corporations, citizens, and stakeholders to restore the damaged infrastructure while the department continues working to stabilise the situation,” said Ndaba
He said the departmental engineers started on Tuesday with assessment of the situation to determine the costs and extend of damages to the school’s infrastructure
The provincial department has appealed for assistance from the public towards revitalising the school
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A photo attesting to the extensive damage to the Boitumelong Special School in Thaba Nchu after a devastating gale-force storm on Monday PHOTOS: Supplied
A male staff member of the school assessing the situation after gale-force winds damaged parts of the school building.
Partnership renewed to offer care
LIENTJIE MENTZ
The Free State Department of Health has announced a two-year extension of its longstanding Public-Private Partnership The renewed partnership with Community Hospital Management (CHM) will run until 30 November 2027 It is managed by Netcare and has been operational since 2002.
The partnership includes the Universitas Private Hospital and Pelonomi Private Hospital The hospitals employ hundreds of healthcare professionals and support staff They deliver critical specialised services, such as kidney transplants, paediatric oncology, and advanced diagnostics
The provincial MEC for Health, Monyatso Mahlatsi, highlighted the partnership's transformative effect: “Over 23 years, this collaboration has greatly increased access to specialised healthcare services in the Free State We have improved our infrastructure, secured dependable clinical capacity, and made sure our residents no longer need to travel to larger cities for specialised care
"We have witnessed ongoing improvements in theatre services, strengthened high-care and intensive care capacity, and expanded specialist outpatient clinics in vital areas ”
The partnership has delivered measurable improvements across multiple service areas Dr Erich Bock, managing director of Netcare's Hospital Division, points to some of these achievements: “Emergency and trauma capabilities at Pelonomi have been enhanced, reducing response times and the need for patient transfers”
He said elective surgery capacity has expanded through better-coordinated theatre access
“Experienced specialists practice at our hospital, supported by skilled nursing and support teams to deliver comprehensive medical and surgical care, including general surgery, gynaecology, and paediatrics”
Bock noted that Universitas remains the only accredited facility in the Free State performing kidney transplants It also offers private paediatric oncology services Additionally, it provides manometry services, which are specialised medical diagnostic procedures that measure pressure within various organs and body systems Pelonomi provides comprehensive medical and surgical services through two theatres It also has radiology and pathology departments There is a National Renal Care dialysis unit
Additionally, there is a dedicated tenbed psychiatric unit In addition, both hospitals operate retail pharmacies serving the broader community “Through our collaboration with the department and Netcare, we have maintained and expanded critical healthcare services while creating
sustainable job opportunities across both facilities,” said Joe Madungandaba, chairman of the CHM
“We have invested heavily in training and upskilling programmes, contributing meaningfully to the provincial economy
“This is much more than a business arrangement; it is a blueprint for how strategic partnerships can transform healthcare delivery and create lasting value for communities”
The partnership's evolution reflects changing healthcare needs
“What began as a response to infrastructure shortages has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare delivery model,” explained head of department Ernest Mohlahlo
“Today, our partnership emphasises affordability, value for money, stronger governance, integrated workforce planning and alignment with
provincial health priorities We have adapted to address changing healthcare needs, including chronic disease, trauma care, and the requirements of an ageing population”
A key element of the partnership's success has been the structured implementation of Remunerative Work Outside Public Service This approach enables public-sector doctors to undertake additional remunerated work They can do this while maintaining their public posts
This arrangement has proven essential in attracting and retaining experienced specialists, ensuring service continuity, and reducing talent migration to metropolitan areas
The renewed agreement introduces enhanced initiatives These include expanded specialist outpatient clinics and structured theatre scheduling for increased surgical throughput It also
features joint workforce development programmes There is a greater focus on chronic disease management and rehabilitation services
“This partnership has proven that when public and private sectors unite with a shared vision, we can achieve remarkable outcomes The renewed agreement is not just an extension – it is an evolution that addresses our people's changing healthcare needs in meaningful ways while maintaining financial sustainability
“This model demonstrates that quality healthcare does not have to be a privilege reserved for those in major cities It can be delivered right here, in the communities where our people live and work
“That is the legacy of this partnership, and the promise we are extending for another two years, ” said Mahlatsi
MANGAUNG METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY CONSENT USE APPLICATION: ERF 13012 BLOEMFONTEIN, 82 MELVILLE DRIVE, BRANDWAG, BLOEMFONTEIN
SPATIAL PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT ACT, 2013(ACT NO. 16 OF 2013)
Applicant: Planning Places and Suppliers (Pty)Ltd
Owner: P Selogilwe
This application is available for inspection during office hours (08:30-15:00) at the office of the Town and Regional Planning Subdirectorate of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Room 802, th8 Floor, Bram Fischer Building, Corner Nelson Mandela Drive and Markgraaf Street, Bloemfontein for a period of 30 days from the date of publication.
Any interested party must communicate in writing with the above mentioned office or email george.masuabi@mangaung.co.za, or post to P.O Box 288, Bloemfontein, 9300 within a period of 30 days th from 26 November 2025 quoting their name, address, contact details and interest in the application The Municipality reserves the right to accept comments received after the closing date.
Momentum mounting for upcoming local elections
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) reported its preparations are on track for the 2026 local government elections (LGE)
Achievements were highlighted in a media statement released on 4 November According to the IEC, strides were made in terms of voters registering and updating their details; South Africans have acted on the call to do this through various platforms ahead of local government elections in 2026-’27
From January to September 2024, more than 305 206 new voters registered, while 60 752 voters updated their registration details The highest number of new registrations recorded was in September (71 324), followed by August (51 714), and February (39,967) The IEC revealed that of this total of registered voters, 76,8% were captured via the Voter Management Devices (VMD), 12% used the online registration portal and 10% visited their local IEC office
“This is a reflection that more and more South Africans, especially young first-time voters, embrace digital innovation and the Electoral Commission’s ongoing drive to make registration simpler and smarter,” the IEC stated Voters are urged to register where they live and vote at the voting station where they are registered A registered voter who has moved since they last registered should check their voting district and voting station status and, if
necessary, update their address details
The IEC reported that its achievements include continued strong performance across all operational areas Building on five consecutive clean audits, the commission reported it achieved 92% of its key performance targets during the 2024-’25 financial year It reported a 90% compliance rate among represented political parties, with 18 of 20 submitting audited financial statements for 2024-’25 The IEC has put forward a proposal for legislative amendments to electoral legislation The primary subject is section 15 of the Electoral Act, which allows objections to the voters’ roll at any stage The proposed amendments seek to:
■ Limit objections to the provisionally compiled voters’ roll rather than the certified roll for an election
■ Provide for remedies the IEC could consider in deciding an objection to a provisionally compiled voters’ roll Such remedies could include the removal of an address where such is in dispute, thereby providing a voter with the opportunity to provide a correct address
■ Automatically de-register unrepresented political parties that fail to notify the chief electoral officer of their continued existence by the prescribed date
■ Restrict candidate nominations to those political parties that are already registered on the date on which an election is called
At the extension of the contract are,from the left,Sr Ncumisa Mbambani (nursing manager: Universitas Private Hospital),Dr Erich Bock (managing director: Netcare Hospital Division),Joe Madungandaba (chairman: Community Hospital Management),Sr Beatrice Soyingwa (nursing manager: Pelonomi Private Hospital) and Phuti Kgare (Netcare Legal)
PHOTO: Supplied
Health and safety widely flouted
Several Free State government departments are chronically transgressing the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) risking the health and safety of employees
The Department of Employment and Labour's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) specialist report has laid bare the alarming state of compliance.
In a media statement issued on 17 November, the Department of Employment and Labour expressed grave concern about the provincial government departments’ low level of compliance with the provisions of the OHSA, underscoring the condition and maintenance of buildings Inspections at 187 government offices and facilities across the province revealed alarming findings and flagged 129 facilities as non-compliant
Manelisi Luxande, provincial chief inspector, said an Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) specialist conducted inspections during the first semester of the 2025-’26 financial year at 187 government offices and facilities across the province He said the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) specialist report revealed alarming findings
“Of these, 129 were found to be non-compliant with one or more requirements of the OHSA Furthermore, 29 facilities were issued with prohibition notices This resulted in the closure of premises or the suspension of specific operations due to the immediate danger they posed to the
health and safety of employees and members of the public,” said Luxande
“The Inspection and Enforcement Services of the Department of Employment and Labour in the Free State remains deeply concerned
“The extent of non-compliance we have recorded is alarming
“Many of these facilities particularly clinics, schools, and municipal offices show serious signs of neglect, such as leaking roofs, unsafe electrical wiring, collapsing ceilings, and poor sanitation These conditions not only endanger employees, but also
compromise the safety of community members who depend on these services
“It is crucial that corrective measures be taken immediately to safeguard lives”
The most affected facilities include clinics, schools, Social Development offices, SAPS offices and municipal offices and workshops
“The non-compliance issues identified range from leaking roofs, collapsing ceilings, unsafe electrical installations, and lack of water supply, to non-functioning sanitary facilities
Appointment serves to benefit
Prof Pamela Dube, vice-chancellor and principal of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, has received another feather in her cap
This follows her appointment as the vice-chairperson of the board of directors of Universities South Africa (USAf) effective on 1 January 2026 She will serve a two-year term running until 31 December 2027
Dube has served as a member of the USAf board since March 2023
Her appointment acknowledges her continued contribution, consistent insight and strategic perspective in national discussions on higher education policy, institutional sustainability, and student success
Dube’s appointment reflects the board’s confidence in her leadership, experience, and
Police still on the hunt for remaining robbers
TEBOHO SETENA
Two suspected brazen armed robbers of two Bloemfontein jewellery stores have been discharged from hospital after receiving medical treatment for wounds they sustained during a shootout with members of the Free State police at the Vaal Plaza tollgate on the N1 national road They were treated under police guard
The suspects, Xolani Mabaso (29) and Dumisani Maqwaza (35), are due to reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 26 November
They face charges including business robbery
They were nabbed by members of a multi-disciplinary Free State police unit at about 23:00 on Tuesday 18 November while en route to Gauteng
They are part of an armed group of men linked to two separate business robberies at the Jewel Craft jewellery store in Northridge Mall and at HDL Jewellers in Mimosa Mall on 16 November Other suspects are still on the run
Intensive investigations, including the search for the suspects in the two incidents, are ongoing by the provincial Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit
Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said a part of the ongoing investigation includes possible links to other serious crimes
The heavily armed men robbed the stores in broad daylight and thereafter made off with an estimated R250 000 worth of precious items and
an undisclosed sum of cash The breakthrough in both robberies came on Tuesday 18 November with the arrest of Maqwaza and Mabaso
The team included the Fezile Dabi TRIO Task Team, the District Organized Crime Combatting Unit (DOCC), Highway Patrol and collaborating security companies
Capt Loraine Earle, spokesperson for the Free State police, said upon being accosted, one of the suspects allegedly pointed a firearm at police officials, prompting a shootout
“A search of the suspects’ vehicle led to the recovery of three firearms two 9mm pistols and an AK-47 rifle ammunition, including jewellery believed to have been stolen during the robberies at the two stores,” said Earle
The brazen robberies took place hours apart
The first incident unfolded at about 09:45 when six unknown males stormed Jewel Craft in Northridge Mall
The robbers, displaying a calculated approach, instructed the store owner and employees to sit on the floor before systematically emptying the till and clearing shelves of valuable jewellery
The suspects loaded their haul into bags and fled the premises, escaping in a white Suzuki Amaze sedan
The second robbery occurred at about 12:21 at HDL Jewellers in Mimosa Mall
Five suspects reportedly stormed the establishment, brandishing firearms and forcing employees to lie down whilst they helped themselves to jewellery and an undisclosed amount of money
and structurally compromised walls,” said Luxande He said despite ongoing engagement by the Department of Employment and Labour with the affected departments, progress in addressing safety hazards remained limited The department therefore wishes to remind all government departments that, while service delivery is essential, the health and safety of employees and the public must remain paramount Luxande has re-emphasised the severity of the situation
“The conditions we have observed during inspections are deeply concerning and, in some instances, pose an immediate danger to both employees and members of the public Government departments must lead by example in complying with occupational health and safety laws
“We urge all departments to take swift and decisive action to correct these deficiencies Failure to do so will leave our inspectors with no choice but to enforce compliance through prohibition notices or other legal means
”
The problems persist amid continued criticism by the public, including opposition political parties Recent inspections by Roy Jankielsohn, DA Free State provincial leader, at stateowned facilities in Windburg attest to the unabated neglect of maintenance He described it as gross negligence “The facilities lack security, and electrical wiring, vehicles, equipment and other goods have been plundered and vandalised No security was present, and the fence and guard houses are in advanced states of decay,” said Jankielsohn
“If facilities meant to support road maintenance and construction are allowed to be vandalised by criminals, it is no wonder that our road budgets are often treated in a similar fashion, with multiple contractors, incomplete roads, allegations of corruption, and funds squandered This lack of respect for state-owned property and public funds is a reason why vehicles are damaged, and lives are lost on our provincial roads”
lofty academic aspirations
steadfast commitment to advancing the shared goals of South Africa’s university sector
In this new role, she will work closely with the chairperson to strengthen the board’s governance and contribute to the strategic direction of the USAf during a pivotal time for the country’s public universities
Earlier this year, the astute Dube was also appointed as the deputy chairperson of the
Free State Investment and Economic Advisory Council (IEAC) She started her term on 1 April Dube works with a dedicated team of 15 members, which includes Dr Dan Mosia, who serves as chairperson The team advises the Free State premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, on monitoring the Free State Growth and Development Strategy, and works to create more economic opportunities in the province
The Free State Department of Roads facility at Winburg is being vandalised,owing to neglect of maintenance Photo: Supplied
Metro faces tough recourse
The trouble-ridden Mangaung Metro
Municipality faces the drastic action of having its December equitable-share allocation withheld, owing to the authorities’ chronic inability to improve the municipality’s financial state The DA in Mangaung has confirmed that the National Treasury has issued a formal notice under section 216(2) of the Constitution, citing the persistent inability of authorities to improve the municipality’s financial state and non-compliance with legislation
The opposition party has warned regress of the municipality and that residents will continue to suffer the delivery of basic services
“The Metro’s December equitable-share allocation may be withheld due to severe and persistent breaches of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) This is one of the most serious financial enforcement measures available to the Treasury This signals that the Mangaung Metro is on the brink of fiscal failure and service delivery collapse,” said Tjaart van der Walt, Mangaung Metro councillor
“In terms of MFMA section 52 (d), mayor Gregory Nthatisi must report to the Council on the implementation of the budget and the financial state of the municipality Despite the gravity of this threat, the mayor has failed to table the Treasury letter and its implications before the Council, keeping both councillors and residents in the dark,” says Van der Walt
“A threatened stoppage of the equitable share is unquestionably a material finan-
cial event and must be disclosed immediately Furthermore, MFMA section 60(1)(c) requires the Accounting Officer to report ‘ any impending financial problems’ to the mayor, and the Council must be allowed to consider the City’s response as required for the constitutional process under section 216(2),” he added
According to Van der Walt, there are signs of a collapse of the metro’s finances
“Diesel shortages and non-payment to contractors have already led to failure in basic service delivery in the city during November The Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), the key oversight body mandated to deal with unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure (UIFW), is itself dysfunctional The MPAC has not followed its approved work plan
“In a last-ditch attempt to address the Treasury and DA letters, on 18 November, a last-minute MPAC meeting was held without prior access to the documentation, contrary to the standing rules and MPAC Terms of Reference A day later, more than R7 million in UIFW expenditure was presented with the same procedural defects This breakdown undermines lawful oversight at a time when Mangaung needs it most The Treasury requires Mangaung to show a 75% reduction in its UIFW balances, implement consequence management, and demonstrate tangible action The metro is nowhere near compliance, placing its equitable share and service delivery at immediate risk,” says Van der Walt
Due to these financial problems, rating agency Moody’s downgraded the Mangaung Municipality’s long-term global scale issuer rating to junk status in 2020
Fight against bullies furthered
LIENTJE MENTZ
After Scratch the hedgehog taught children not to be scared and the bunnies Hip and Hop taught more about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), two piglets have come out to play And they did not play nice The psychologists Esté Pistorius and Jaco van der Merwe who started guiding parents and teachers on mental health issues in children with their Mentanimals series, launched the third book in the series
Bacon and Banger: The Bullies is meant to create awareness of bully behaviour and to help
children manage such situations better
Esté says the book helps parents and teachers identify behaviour that points to a child being bullied and to help these children acquire skills to stand up for themselves
“Bullying is not only a big problem in schools, it affects victims later in life Bullying is also not confined to real life situations, but is also a huge issue on social media,” she says
She explains negative behaviour towards someone that is repetitive, can be labled bullying If the intention is to hurt, it is bullying
Jaco says it is often people that
are hurt, who also hurt others
“We have to strengthen good behaviour and teach children to have more empathy towards others”
In the book, a Kindness Champion is crowned every day as a way to enforce empathy
Bacon and Banger: The Bullies gives practical advice to parents and teachers
Appart from the books in the series, there is a variety of Mentanimals toys and memorabelia to remind children of the valuable lessons taught in the books
Get more information on the books on the Mentanimals Facebook page
Esté Pistorius and Jaco van der Merwe launched the new book in their series PHOTO: Lientjie Mentz
ednesday, 26 November 2025
Gallants bravely
ttle inconsistency
ENA
ts are under ate strong onsistent perhe Premier ue (PSL), which is crucial to their survival.
the cup comthe Carling p , he league the club struggles to retain their rhythm
In the final, the Bahlabane ba Ntwa will face Orlando Pirates on 6 December in the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo The Gallants’ inconsistent form in the Premiership league has resulted in a down-
ward movement and sharing the spoils and losing matches which they should have won
Currently, the club is languishing in the bottom half of the Premiership and currently occupies 11th position with 14 points Thus far after 13 league matches played, the club has won three matches, drawn five and lost five games
The Gallants’ poor form saw them play to a 1 1 draw with Sekhukhune United in a league match played on Saturday 22 November They fought well after the visiting team took the lead in the second half, capitalising on the defenders’ failure to thwart the danger
The Gallants’ pint-sized midfieldercum-striker Phillip Ndlondlo saved face when he scored the equaliser, and he was rewarded the man of the match prize for his efforts Ndlondlo acknowledged inconsistency in the league, adding it requires them to strike a balance to improve their standing in the league
“We played better in the second half of
the match, creating scoring opportunities
We have to continue with good form in the league as we did in cup competition and improve in terms of converting chances we create,” said Ndlondlo
The Gallants will host Magesi FC on Sunday 30 November at the Dr Molemela Stadium hoping to secure a win and move up the table The club’s last win was 2 1 against Chippa United on 19 October
Meanwhile, Siwelele FC returns to Bloemfontein hoping to get back to its winning ways against Chippa in a Premiership fixture scheduled for Saturday 29 November at the Dr Molemela Stadium The Siwelele side's last win was 2 0 against Stellenbosch FC on 5 November while at home it was 1 0 over Sekhukhune on 31 October The Lehlohonolo Seema-led team lost 0 2 to AmaZulu in a fixture played on 22 November The green and
Phillip Ndlondlo of the Marumo Gallants tussles for the ball under pressure from Katleho Letlapa of Sekhukhue United (red),during a Premiership fixture