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African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Chairperson and Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul has come out guns blazing, describing the resignation of a member of his provincial cabinet as a "political mishap" that threatened to derail the organisation's work.

Saul's remarks follow the recent resignation of MEC for Roads and Public Works Fufe Makatong, just eight months after former Health MEC Maruping Lekwene stepped down from the provincial executive.

In a letter seen by Journal News, Saul issued a formal apology to ANC structures, acknowledging that the handling of Makatong's resignation had created unnecessary political distractions during the party's voter registration weekend.

He described the resignation as a political mishap that risked diverting the ANC's focus from its organisational priorities and admitted that the matter should have been managed more carefully.

"I wish to extend a sincere and formal apology, on behalf of the entire PEC, for the political mishap that occurred over the weekend. This unfortunate incident threatened to derail our collective focus from our principal historic task: to defend and advance our glorious movement. As the leadership, we accept collective accountability for this matter and acknowledge that it ought to have been handled with greater care and revolutionary discipline," Saul wrote in the letter dated 3 August 2026.

The letter was addressed to ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) members, Regional Executive Committees (RECs), Branch Executive Committees (BECs), as well as party members and volunteers.

Saul also sought to reassure party structures that there was no leadership crisis within the ANC in the province, despite Makatong's departure from the Executive Council. He noted that Makatong remains a member of the ANC's Provincial Executive Committee Top Five, serving as the party's Provincial Treasurer.

“I want to state categorically and directly to you, as your provincial chairperson; there is no crisis. The PEC remains rock-solid, structurally sound and entirely focused on our dual mandate to fix local municipalities and secure an overwhelming and decisive victory at the polls,” said Saul in the letter.

He said that the party’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) will convene this week and address the matter comprehensively.

“The collective leadership will thoroughly reflect on these developments and issue a coherent and unified directive to all our structures, members and supporters,” promised Saul.

Heartbreak filled the Free State Government Mortuary in Bloemfontein on Thursday as grieving families began the painful process of identifying loved ones killed in last week’s devastating N1 bus crash.

The identification process was attended by Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport Jabu Mbalula, and Zimbabwe’s Consul-General, Eria Phiri, who offered support and condolences to the bereaved families.

The victims died when a long-distance bus travelling from Cape Town to Zimbabwe overturned on the N1 between Trompsburg and Edenburg in the early hours of Friday, 31 July.

Addressing grieving relatives, Letsoha-Mathae acknowledged that no words could ease the pain of losing loved ones.

“Today, we are here to pass our condolences. We are here to say we are sorry and that we are with you in our prayers. We know words alone cannot comfort you, nor can they explain your profound loss,” she said. The Premier also urged long-distance passengers to ensure their details are recorded before travelling, saying passenger registers are critical in helping authorities identify victims and notify next of kin during emergencies.

“If you travel by taxi or bus, ensure your details are captured in the passenger register. It greatly assists authorities in contacting families when tragedies like this occur,” she said.

According to Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, the bus was carrying approximately 78 people, including the driver, when it allegedly lost control and overturned.

Ten passengers were declared dead at the scene. The victims included four adult women, one adult man, three girls and two boys.

Kareli said 57 passengers sustained injuries and were transported to Albert Nzula District Hospital in Trompsburg, while nine critically injured passengers were transferred to Pelonomi and Universitas hospitals in Bloemfontein for specialised treatment.

He confirmed that the bus driver had been taken in for questioning as part of the investigation.

“A case of culpable homicide has been opened and investigations are continuing,” Kareli said.

Mbalula said improving road safety remained a priority for both national and provincial governments, with regular engagements taking place to reduce fatalities on South Africa’s roads.

“In our MinMec meetings we continuously assess how to make our roads safer for everyone. Unfortunately, no one can predict when an accident will occur, but we extend our deepest condolences to all the affected families,” he said.

He also wished the injured a speedy recovery and urged transport operators and motorists to remain vigilant and strictly comply with road safety regulations, particularly on long-distance routes.

As investigations continue, authorities are working closely with affected families to complete the identification process and ensure the victims are laid to rest with dignity.

South Africa’s Banyana Banyana head into their high-stakes Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final showdown against hosts Morocco holding an undeniable psychological advantage. 

The reigning continental champions boast a flawless head-to-head record against the Atlas Lionesses on North African soil, having most notably overcome them in Rabat to lift their maiden title.

However, historical dominance guarantees nothing when a spot at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup is on the line. The host nation is extra determined to rewrite history and turn their fortunes around against their familiar rivals.

Driven by the pain of past defeats, Morocco enters the knockout fixture in formidable form, having topped Group A without conceding a single goal. 

Supported by a passionate home crowd, the hosts present a stern test for the South Africans, who must rely on their big-stage temperament and composure.

Banyana Banyana forward, Gabriela Salgado, acknowledged the immense test awaiting the team while expressing confidence in their ability to advance.

“It's not going to be easy against the hosts. We want to get the World Cup ticket, and we can defeat Morocco,” she said.

South Africa’s journey to the last eight required immense resilience following a rocky group stage. After an opening defeat, Desiree Ellis’s side displayed remarkable character to secure their qualification, proving that their championship pedigree remains intact under pressure.

Head coach, Desiree Ellis, warned her squad against complacency, emphasising that previous victories will count for nothing inside a partisan stadium.

“History shows that we can do it, but it doesn't give us the right that it's going to happen. It's a different team with different challenges. The home crowd, all of that comes into play,” Ellis said.

With automatic World Cup qualification serving as the primary prize for the victor, Ellis believes the outcome will be decided by sheer determination and tactical discipline. The veteran coach highlighted the magnitude of the occasion for both squads.

Ellis continued: “It's basically going to come down to who wants it the most. We know what's up for grabs. It's a World Cup spot and it could not be any bigger motivation than that.”

Navigating the host nation’s intense atmospheric pressure will demand tactical adaptability from the South Africans. 

Ellis noted that her team is prepared to prioritise defensive solidity and pragmatism over aesthetics to secure the desired result.

“Sometimes it doesn't have to be pretty. We stuck defensively. We were organised. Sometimes that is what wins your games. If we keep a clean sheet, we're going to create chances,” she added.

If Banyana Banyana can combine their proven big-match composure with defensive discipline, the former champions stand a strong chance of silencing the Rabat crowd and securing their global showpiece ticket.

After years of warnings, petitions and repeated drownings, an 11-year campaign to secure Mangaung's notorious Heidedal quarry has finally reached the courts, with the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality seeking an order compelling the private owner to fence off the hazardous site.

Quarry safety activist Gregory Verner, who has been campaigning for the quarry to be secured since 2015, welcomed the municipality's legal action but said authorities should have acted years ago.

The municipality has obtained a provisional court order requiring the owner to show cause by 13 August 2026 why the interim order should not be made final. If confirmed, the order will prohibit the owner from selling or disposing of the property until matters relating to fatalities at the quarry have been resolved. It will also compel the owner to fence and secure the site in accordance with the court's directives.

The legal action follows years of complaints about the abandoned quarry and comes after a parliamentary oversight visit in November 2025 exposed serious safety concerns. Parliament found that the quarry remains an extreme public hazard, with water reaching depths of about 50 metres, steep embankments and submerged mining debris posing significant risks to anyone entering the site.

The oversight report also highlighted conflicting figures on the number of people who have lost their lives at the quarry.

According to SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Morne Koch, police recorded 15 drowning incidents between June 2001 and October 2025, resulting in 16 fatalities, including confirmed drownings and suspected suicides registered as inquests.

However, residents told parliamentary committees that as many as 51 people may have died at the quarry between the late 1970s and 2025.

The committees said the conflicting figures suggested the true death toll remains unknown, raising concerns over possible underreporting and inadequate investigations.

Verner said his campaign intensified following the drowning of 16-year-old Justin Jacobs in 2016. During Parliament's oversight visit in November last year, Justin's mother, Maggie Jacobs, told lawmakers that returning to the quarry felt like reliving the day she buried her son.

Parliamentary records indicate the quarry was previously operated by Coronation Brick and Tile, now Corobrik, and was never properly fenced or rehabilitated after mining operations ceased. Lawmakers questioned whether rehabilitation obligations had been fulfilled and whether the mine's closure complied with environmental requirements in force at the time.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources told Parliament that an application for a closure certificate had been submitted in January 2004, before the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act came into effect later that year, meaning the closure process was dealt with under the Minerals Act of 1991.

Despite this, the issue of rehabilitation remains disputed. Parliamentary committees noted contradictions between departmental records indicating rehabilitation had been completed and the quarry's current condition, which remains visibly dangerous and unsecured.

The South African Human Rights Commission also informed Parliament that it received a complaint about the quarry on 6 August 2021, raising concerns over child drownings and other public safety risks.

The Commission investigated whether mine closure obligations had been met and requested documents relating to environmental assessments and rehabilitation. However, parliamentary committees criticised what they described as the slow pace of the investigation, noting that it remained incomplete more than four years later.

The Department of Water and Sanitation similarly acknowledged delays in taking action. Water-quality tests conducted in 2016 detected elevated electrical conductivity and sodium absorption levels, while concerns were also raised about possible contamination, illegal dumping and wastewater entering the quarry.

The department told Parliament that it only issued a notice of intention to direct the owner to take corrective action in November 2025 following parliamentary intervention.

The quarry's depth continues to hamper search-and-rescue operations. SAPS Search and Rescue divers told Parliament that the water is about 50 metres deep and contains submerged mining debris, making recovery operations particularly dangerous.

"We have participated in approximately 15 reported drowning cases at the quarry," Koch said.

The parliamentary report further noted that diving regulations limit rescue operations because of the quarry's depth and the absence of a suitable dive chamber within the Free State or within a two-hour travelling radius.

For Verner, the court action marks the culmination of years of lobbying, petitions and attempts to compel authorities to act. He said he opened a criminal case in 2016 but received no meaningful response.

He later petitioned Parliament, leading to the joint committee oversight visit to the quarry on 19 November 2025, where police, government officials and community members presented evidence of the ongoing dangers.

Following the visit, Parliament recommended an urgent interdict preventing the sale of the property, the establishment of an interdepartmental task team, immediate measures to secure the quarry, and a hydrogeological study to assess contamination risks, overflow hazards and long-term rehabilitation options.

Despite welcoming the municipality's intervention, Verner fears the legal process could drag on.

"My only concern is that I don't know how long this legal battle will take. Summer is coming, and we know legal matters can take years to resolve. Meanwhile, the quarry remains unfenced," he said.

Nevertheless, he praised the municipality's decision to approach the courts.

"I personally welcome it, and I thank the mayor for taking that decisive and bold step, although it happened 25 years too late," he said.

Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality City Manager Sello More said the municipality had repeatedly attempted to compel the owner to secure the property.

"We previously issued compliance notices to the property owner under the municipality's Unsightly and Neglected Buildings and Premises By-laws, requiring remedial action to address the hazardous condition of the property," More said.

He said the owner failed to comply, leaving the municipality with no option but to seek legal intervention.

"The evidence before the court demonstrates the urgent need for measures to protect human life. We will continue taking all lawful steps necessary to address the danger," More said.

For Verner and the families who have lost loved ones, however, the priority remains preventing another tragedy.

The property owner has until 13 August 2026 to convince the court why the provisional order should not be made final.

A vibrant new chapter for the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) has officially been unveiled. On 31 July, the Free State MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Hon. Ntombizanele Sifuba, took to the podium at the Bloemfontein Anglo-Boer War Museum to launch the highly anticipated 2026 edition of the province's flagship cultural event.

The high-profile launch was well-attended by key stakeholders who gathered to signal their support. Among the stakeholders were representatives from the Free State Arts and Culture statutory bodies, Free State Sport Confederation President Edward Saunderson, and the House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders. Also in attendance were Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (PRHA) representative Rev. Thabiso Mashiloane, Portfolio Committee Chair Hon. Zama Sigwebela, the HOD of COGTA, the Acting CEO of the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS), and Mr Brian Mokete representing ABSA.

Following the opening performance of the national anthem, Vincent Khetha, Chief Director of Cultural Affairs, welcomed guests and outlined the event's core purpose. He emphasised that MACUFE has evolved into a vital platform where local artistry, heritage, and culture truly come alive to preserve the province's rich history.

Offering a message of support, Portfolio Committee Chairperson Hon. Zama Sigwebela praised the festival's enduring impact and economic viability “It is an event that lives in our memories forever," Sigwebela said. "It connects the people, brings people together to showcase their talent, to network, and to ensure that all artists, businesses, and communities become successful.

As the portfolio committee, we see the value for money in this particular programme. We want the MEC and the departmental staff to continue so that MACUFE becomes the greatest event throughout the history of the province. “Attendees were reminded of MACUFE's power as an international fixture that fosters deep social cohesion—recalling the iconic October 2008 installation where a rainy setting brought together thousands of strangers in unity during Maxwell’s performance.

In her keynote address, MEC Ntombizanele Sifuba began with a sombre tribute to the recently passed Free State gospel artist, Itu, who had been a beloved performer at previous MACUFE Gospel installations.MEC Sifuba detailed the deliberate transformation the festival has undergone since 2022 to realign with its core mission. Following a two-year absence, the event was re-established last year on 1 August as a "recalibrated and reimagined" programme.

Part of this strategic shift included moving the primary festival dates to September to directly coincide with National Heritage Month. “As part of this repurposing and reimagining, the festival was last year staged in September, which is the month in which we celebrate our cultural heritage," MEC Sifuba stated. "This is part of our resolve to emphasise that MACUFE is not only a music and entertainment event, but a fundamentally cultural programme.

The launch concluded with the thrilling announcement of the 2026 artist lineup, which promises a heavy blend of local legends and contemporary stars across various genres. Comedy will have Shaun Dihoro, Spooknik, Mashabela, and Nthaby, while the Divas Concert will be headlined by Zonke, Lira, Puleng Phoofolo, and Sinazo Moloi. The Amapiano vs Hip-Hop will feature Khuli Chana, Murda, and Emtee. Gospel Music Festival will be Showcasing Winnie Mashaba, Lebo Sekgobela, and Puleng March. The flagship Main Festival, scheduled for 12 September, will boast performances by Sannere, Khaya, the Jaziel Brothers, Zonke, Lira, Thabiso wa Maluti, the Peter Nthwane Band, and Semito. Organisers also confirmed that negotiations are currently underway to secure world-renowned music icon Salif Keita as this year’s international headline act, promising an unforgettable celebration of African music and culture.

A 66-year-old Free State man has been sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment for repeatedly raping his younger sister over a six-year period, with the Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court finding him guilty of offences committed between 1993 and 1999.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that the accused's identity is being withheld to protect the complainant and her family.

According to evidence before the court, the abuse began in October 1993 when the complainant was 10 years old and the accused was 30. He repeatedly raped and assaulted her at their family home, often during the night and sometimes during the day whenever they were alone.

The complainant tried to report the abuse to her father, but his poor health prevented him from helping her. She later fell pregnant at the age of 16 and gave birth to a son fathered by the accused. Despite rebuilding her life and becoming a teacher, she continued to suffer emotional and psychological trauma.

After receiving psychological counselling, she reported the matter to police in December 2018. The case was initially withdrawn after it was found there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

The complainant later approached prosecutor Didimalang Celestial Sebogo to review the matter. After examining the case docket and working with the investigating officer to obtain DNA evidence, the State confirmed the accused was the biological father of the complainant's son. The matter was then enrolled for prosecution.

During sentencing, the State argued the accused had betrayed his duty as a protector, showed no remorse and deserved a custodial sentence despite more than three decades having passed. The court agreed and imposed a 15-year direct prison sentence.

"The passage of time will not deter the prosecution of serious offences. Where sufficient evidence exists, the NPA will pursue justice regardless of how many years have elapsed since the commission of the crime." Said Mojalefa Senokoatsane, the NPS Regional Spokesperson.