Prominent Mangaung businessman Ben Moseme has strictly distanced himself from growing political speculation suggesting he intends to stand for the executive mayoralty of the metro.
The founder of the Cultural Urban Festival Africa (CUFA) issued a formal statement dismissing claims that he holds any...
North West Transport Investments (NTI) faces a comprehensive corruption investigation after President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe widespread administrative and financial irregularities.
Issued under Proclamation 348 of 2026, the directive empowers the unit to investigate NTI alongside subsidiaries North West Star and Atteridgeville Bus Service.
The probe focuses on procurement contracts, specifically fuel supplies from Zentrafor Fuel, a July 2023 vehicle rental agreement, and sub-contractor commuter bus agreements.
Investigators will examine service payments to determine compliance with National Treasury guidelines and relevant provincial legislation.
The unit will also review claims processing and approvals involving Tansanat Coachlines, Ziggy Investments, and their associated joint venture.
Scrutiny extends to the Business Rescue Practitioner appointed in July 2022, alongside appointed agents and NTI personnel.
The SIU aims to establish whether individuals or entities secured undue benefits, resulting in financial losses for the state.
Authorised under its mandate, the unit may initiate civil litigation in the High Court or Special Tribunal to recover misappropriated funds.
MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management in the province, Tsotso Tlhapi, welcomed the presidential proclamation as a crucial step toward accountability.
“The Department has full confidence in the capacity, expertise and independence of the Special Investigating Unit in conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations levelled against the entity,” said Tlhapi.
She emphasised that the findings will guide corrective measures and prosecution efforts.
“We trust that the investigation will provide clarity on all allegations currently under scrutiny and, where wrongdoing is identified, we will ensure that appropriate corrective measures are implemented and this includes the recovery of any public funds that may have been unlawfully lost and the prosecution of those found to have acted unlawfully,” she said.
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management also welcomed the investigation following sustained oversight.
Committee chairperson, Freddy Sonakile, noted that lawmakers previously petitioned the Ramaphosa directly to expedite the proclamation.
“Our work does not end with the proclamation. The Committee will continue to monitor the progress of the SIU investigation, as well as matters that have already been referred to the Hawks,” said Sonakile.
Tlhapi reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to restoring institutional integrity and delivering reliable public transportation.
“We will fully cooperate and support the SIU during this investigation. It is through processes like this which restores public confidence in our department and its entities.
“This is an era of ensuring that public resources are used appropriately for their intended purpose,” she concluded.
The Northern Cape’s Prieska Power Reserve (PPR) has been selected among the first six priority projects under South Africa’s national green hydrogen programme.
Currently in its development stage, the Prieska initiative operates as a commercial green ammonia project targeting the domestic market.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the initial wave of priority projects during the African Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, delivered the presidential address on Ramaphosa's behalf at the summit.
The six featured projects emerged from a rigorous technical assessment aimed at strengthening financial viability and boosting international investor confidence.
Prieska represents one of five initial-wave initiatives working toward a final investment decision alongside regional projects in the Eastern Cape and West Coast.
The remaining developmental initiatives include the Coega Green Ammonia Project, the Saldanha Hydrogen Direct Reduced Iron Project, the Green e-Fuels Producers Green Methanol Corridor, and the Green Hydrogen Solutions Project.
Ramaphosa highlighted that priority status provides state mechanisms to support projects through final investment decisions, construction, and commercial production.
“By designating these as priorities, government and its partners now have a mechanism to help the remaining five projects reach final investment decision, construction and production. A second wave of projects will follow, bringing further credible projects into the portfolio,” he said.
The strategic designations mark a transition from an unmanaged project pipeline to a coordinated national portfolio focused on preparation and investment.
The first wave is led by the Phelan Green Group electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel project, which reached a final investment decision after securing a $100-million equity commitment.
Construction on the Saldanha Bay facility is scheduled for early 2027, with international exports targeted for the first quarter of 2029.
Ramaphosa emphasised that securing long-term off-take agreements remains essential to scaling Africa's broader green hydrogen economy.
“Since last year’s Summit, we have moved from an undifferentiated pipeline to a managed priority portfolio. This demonstrates that with partner support, public and private financing and proper planning, African nations can move from a concept on paper to projects in development,” he said.
He noted that Africa possesses exceptional solar, wind, water, and mineral resources required to become a dominant global energy hub.
Ramaphosa urged African states to secure full value-chain participation spanning technology partnerships, manufacturing, and international distribution.
He added that the emerging sector must drive regional industrialisation through green steel manufacturing, sustainable fuel production, and agricultural fertiliser development.
Ramaphosa concluded by calling for strict local procurement, job creation, and skills transfer to ensure host communities benefit directly as project stakeholders.
Women farmers across Mangaung assembled at Simon Sifuthi Hall in Botshabelo on Tuesday for a Women in Agriculture Imbizo hosted by the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs.
The gathering aimed to address core industry challenges facing female producers who remain largely restricted to small-scale farming within a male-dominated agricultural market
Delegates representing diverse farming sub-sectors showcased processed goods and fresh produce at display stalls while sharing operational strategies.
Modulaqhowa Primary Cooperative Manager, Lindiwe Ludada, who operates a plant nursery in Botshabelo, highlighted the educational value of peer engagement for emerging enterprise leaders.
“We specialise in shade trees, fruit trees, indoor and outdoor flowers, succulent plants, and vegetable seedlings. We came here to learn from other women’s experience, which most emphasized patience and not expecting immediate results because things take time and sometimes you can wait close to three months to harvest,” she said.
Ludada noted that networking provided crucial guidance on maintaining business resilience during early growth phases.
Servreca Farming owner, Sheilla Malefane, who launched a vegetable enterprise in Thaba Nchu during COVID-19, shared expansion plans following a recent land acquisition.
Her operations focus on high-yield vegetable crops including cabbage, spinach, pumpkin, and potatoes.
“Recently we got a lease agreement of 5ha for ten years that we will be using to produce more vegetables than what we are currently making.
“We came here today to be with other women in farming to find motivation and also learn how they overcome their fair share of challenges in this industry,” said Malefane.
Malefane emphasised that unpredictable weather conditions present continuous operational risks to crop quality and harvest yields.
Addressing attendees, Agriculture MEC, Elzabe Rockman, reaffirmed government commitments to enforce strict funding allocation quotas for designated demographic groups.
She highlighted that the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) enforces targeted resource allocation to accelerate transformation across local supply chains.
“As much as we have CASP, the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, which determines that a minimum of 50% of CASP funding must go to women. In the past, it was difficult, and often that was neglected. “But we have taken a stance in the last two or three years to say we’re not going to compromise on the 50% for women and the 40% for youth. We are still struggling to meet the 6% for disabled farmers,” said Rockman.
Rockman concluded that strict quota enforcement ensures both financial resources and practical technical training directly reach target beneficiary groups.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, has labelled Mangaung Metro as the worst managed municipality in South Africa, vowing sweeping administrative reforms should his party secure power in the upcoming local government elections.
Addressing supporters at the party’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto event in Bloemfontein on Saturday, Malema committed to restoring operational integrity and tackling systemic corruption across the metro.
A primary focus of the proposed governance shift involves dismantling cadre deployment by introducing open recruitment systems that prioritise certified qualifications over political affiliation.
Malema also condemned municipal job exploitation, pledging an immediate end to alleged demands for sexual favours from female applicants seeking local employment.
He stressed that holding party membership would offer no preferential treatment during recruitment drives, emphasizing equal opportunities for all local youth.
“An EFF membership will not guarantee a job, a qualification will. We will not hire by favour, but we will include all the youth of Mangaung,” he said.
Turning to human settlements, the Red Beret’s commander-in-chief advocated for public housing lists to prevent queue-jumping and protect elderly applicants who have waited decades for shelter.
He condemned modern low-cost housing models, insisting that residents deserve spacious homes with private yards rather than cramped structures.
Malema highlighted critical service delivery failures, demanding that communal standpipes be replaced with individual household taps alongside reliable electricity grids and functioning sanitation infrastructure.
“Houses must have a yard and clean running water, with electricity that is functional and is not triggered by rainy weather,” he added.
Addressing widespread unemployment, he criticised the government's Social Relief of Distress grant as inadequate and called for targeted financial aid for struggling tertiary graduates.
He concluded by urging local youth to pursue higher education, assuring them that an EFF administration would guarantee merit-based employment opportunities.
Sergeant Mahlomola Peter Kareli, the Free State provincial police spokesperson, was remembered for his warm sense of humour, humility and dedication during a memorial service held at Bobbiespark Sports Complex in Fichardt Park, Bloemfontein on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
Kareli passed away on 9 September 2026 following a period of ill health, leaving colleagues, friends, and family to gather and honour his life and contribution to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Those who paid tribute described Kareli as a gentle spirit who consistently brought laughter to others through his jokes.
Colleagues and close associates reflected on his personality, highlighting his immense pride in serving as the provincial police spokesperson.
Lehlohonolo Mathabeng, Kareli’s colleague, shared that Kareli was more than a co-worker, describing him as a mentor.
“Sergeant Kareli was more than a colleague to me, I still cannot believe that he is not here. I am going to miss his sense of humour, because he always joked around making everyone around him laugh.
“He was my role model, what inspired me is that he loved his job and his family and he was also very professional. I would like to thank his family for sharing him with us as his colleagues,” stated Mathabeng.
Harry Nagel remembered Kareli as someone who brought joy wherever he went, noting his practical skills and craftsmanship.
Nagel recalled how Kareli enjoyed showcasing home renovation projects he undertook in his spare time.
“Kareli was very skilled with his hands and he loved to renovate his own house and used to show me.
“The last piece of work he showed me was incomplete, I cannot believe he will not get to finish it. I hope the kids that he spoke to and encouraged are truly inspired by him,” said Nagel.
Kareli’s role placed him at the centre of communication between law enforcement and the public, particularly through his routine interactions with media personnel.
Renowned radio veteran, Thuso Motaung, aptly referred to as Ntate Thuso, expressed shock over Kareli’s passing, noting that the spokesperson had recently buried his mother, to whom he was deeply devoted.
“I can’t believe he is gone. I can’t believe I won’t get to speak to you, you will not sit in the studio with me again. It is truly unbelievable.
“After burying his mother he would be teary when speaking about her so it is sad that he passed shortly after burying his mother,” Ntate Thuso said.
For those who worked alongside him, his passing marked the loss of a trusted communicator who built strong professional and personal relationships throughout his career.
SAPS head of provincial communication, Thandi Mbambo, asserted that media houses and colleagues alike could attest to Kareli’s work ethic and commitment to the service.
“Thank you for sharing him with us, he was a big part of the SAPS force. He served his country and his province so well,” Mbambo said.
His passing leaves a lasting impression on all who knew him, with his legacy of service continuing to live on across the province.
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