EFF leader Julius Malema’s five-year prison sentence for a 2018 incident at an EFF rally in Mdantsane has been described by legal experts as excessive, with some warning that it could be increased to as much as 10 years if a higher court finds the magistrate was “too lenient.”
Some experts say that...
Bloemfontein has secured a major off-field win after Mangaung Toyota Stadium was upgraded to Class B (Tier 2) Test status, paving the way for the city to host top-tier international rugby fixtures.
The classification confirms the stadium now meets national standards required to stage high-profile Test matches — including fixtures involving the world champion South Africa national rugby union team.
The upgrade places Bloemfontein firmly back in contention among South African cities competing for major international rugby events, with significant economic benefits expected for the Mangaung metro.
According to the municipality, Test matches attract thousands of travelling supporters, sponsors, and media, boosting hotels, restaurants, transport operators, and informal traders, while creating opportunities in hospitality and event management.
The achievement follows a coordinated effort between the Free State Rugby Union, the Free State Cheetahs, Mangaung Local Municipality, the Free State Sport Confederation, and the South African Rugby Union to meet safety, infrastructure, and broadcasting requirements.
Free State Cheetahs representative Rory Duncan said the process required both facility upgrades and a cooperation agreement with the municipality. “We all had the same goal — to get the stadium upgraded,” he said.
While the new status does not guarantee a Springbok Test, it strengthens the stadium’s case when future hosting rights are allocated — renewing hopes that international rugby will soon return to Bloemfontein.
