A 39-year-old man, who faces serious charges of raping a healthcare worker in Ou Dorp, Thusanong Hospital, will stand trial before the Odendaalsrus Regional Court on 26 August 2026. The accused is facing several other charges including assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property in Odendaalsrus.
He remains in custody, after abandoning his bail application during his previous court appearance last month.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson from the Free State Division, Mojalefa Senokoatsane confirmed that the suspect, Molahlehi Peter Takalimane made a brief appearance before the Odendaalsrus District Court on 12 June, resulting in this matter being transferred to the Regional Court for trial.
According to Senokoatsane, the alleged incident took place on 13 May 2026, when the suspect was admitted as a patient at Thusanong Hospital. He alleges that the suspect chased female nurses in the hospital ward, before aggressively pulling a 60-year-old professional nurse, into a hospital restroom and starting the forceful assault.
“It is alleged that he assaulted the victim by punching and kicking her, before pulling down her trousers and raping her by digitally penetrating her.
“During the incident, the accused damaged a glass door and the victim's spectacles,” he said.
Senokoatsane said that the authority slams the reported offense.
He also says that it was an attack on a medical practitioner, who was fulfilling her responsibilities of serving society.
“The NPA strongly condemns the alleged attack on a healthcare professional, who was carrying out her duties in service of the public.
“Healthcare workers have the right to perform their responsibilities in a safe and secure environment, free from violence, intimidation and abuse,” he added.
He further said that the prosecution remains committed to presenting its case, to pursue the matter without fear, favour or prejudice, as this incident exposes the vulnerability women are subjected to.
“This case underscores the devastating impact of sexual violence and violence against women. The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring justice for victims of gender-based violence and related offences,” Senokoatsane said.
The South African Police Service Free State Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia has commended the professionalism displayed by police officials, after successfully resolving a hostage situation that involves a police officer on Sunday in Jacobsdal, without further loss of life.
Police Spokesperson Thabo Covane said that the incident unfolded at about 11:45 in Ratanang Township, where the law officials responded to reports of a hostage situation.
“Upon arrival, preliminary information was gathered, indicating that a 25-year-old female had allegedly been shot in the shoulder by a 28-year-old police constable stationed in Hanover, Northern Cape,” said Covane.
Covane confirmed that hostage negotiators engaged with the suspect for several hours, resulting to a successful effort to bring the volatile situation to an unharmed conclusion.
“At approximately 20:25, the suspect surrendered his service pistol and handed himself over to the police without further loss of life.
“Emergency medical personnel attended to the injured victim, who was subsequently transported to a hospital in Kimberley for further medical treatment,” said Covane.
Covane further said that police have registered cases of kidnapping and attempted murder.
“The suspect, a police constable, was arrested and is expected to appear before the Jacobsdal Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
Free State Police Commissioner Lieutenant
General Thabang Lesia said that the collaborated intervention by the law enforcers demonstrate the worth of disciplined policing and hostage negotiation.
“This incident demonstrates the importance of professional hostage negotiation, patience and a coordinated multidisciplinary response when dealing with volatile and potentially life-threatening situations. The successful resolution of this incident, without further loss of life, is a commendable achievement.
“We also wish the injured victim a speedy recovery. At the same time, the suspect will face the full might of the law, and the circumstances surrounding this incident will be thoroughly investigated. SAPS members are equally subject to the law, and any allegations of criminal conduct will be dealt with through due process,” Lesia concluded.
Northern Cape Premier and ANC provincial chairperson Zamani Saul has denied allegations of political interference in his administration following the shock resignation of Roads and Public Works MEC Fufe Makatong.
Saul moved swiftly to reshuffle his Cabinet after Makatong’s resignation, fuelling speculation about tensions within the provincial government and the ANC.
However, during a media briefing on Friday, Saul dismissed claims that political interference played a role in the latest changes, describing the allegations as an unfortunate misinterpretation of his constitutional right to “intervention” as premier.
“I have got a full constitutional right to intervene where things don’t go according to plan. My intervention is not interference. I think it was an unfortunate use of the word because if I don’t have the right to intervene, I don’t see why this office should exist,” said Saul.
He challenged those alleging political interference to provide evidence, saying: “Ask those individuals alleging interference to tell you precisely what that entails and you will get a sense that it was intervention, which is my responsibility and what I am getting paid for.”
Saul had previously described Makatong’s resignation as a “political mishap” that threatened to derail the organisation’s work.
Accepting Makatong’s resignation on Friday, Saul said it had created a vacancy that needed to be filled, prompting changes to the provincial Cabinet.
In the reshuffle, former Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) MEC Bentley Vass was moved to the Roads and Public Works portfolio.
Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development and Land Reform MEC Lebogang Motlhaping was shifted to COGHSTA, while Northern Cape Legislature Speaker Newrene Klaaste joined the provincial executive as the new MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development and Land Reform.
Mirriam Kibi was appointed MEC for Children, Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is pressing Impala Rustenburg for answers after a 45-year-old plant cleaner died after being exposed to sulphur dioxide at their plant in the North West on 5 August 2026.
According to Joseph Mathunjwa, AMCU president, the man died shortly after being exposed to sulphur dioxide due ato valve failure that caused an uncontrollable gas leak that also led to the hospitalisation of seven other employees.
“The deceased reportedly experienced distress near the entrance clock gates while making his way towards the change house. He later collapsed near the on-site clinic, where emergency medical personnel immediately began life-saving treatment,” Mathunjwa stated.
This incident comes about a week after AMCU called for a safety shutdown of all Impala operations, which included handing a memorandum of demands to the mine’s management.
Mathunjwa described it as another workplace disaster that could have been prevented, while raising capacity concerns regarding risk management, maintenance practices and emergency preparedness at the plant.
“We are heartbroken, devastated and frankly speechless. Our members are going to work expecting to return home safely to their families, yet we continue to witness preventable incidents that claim lives,” Mathunjwa said.
While demanding Impala to establish whether critical safety controls were in place at the time of the incident, the union has further called for a full review of the plant’s process safety management systems. This while also urging the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate to conduct a thorough investigation and subsequently hold responsible parties, if any, accountable for negligence or failures to comply with mine safety laws.
AMCU has also renewed its call for amendments to the Mine Health and Safety Act to strengthen personal accountability for those responsible for mine safety.
“Until the people who make these decisions are held personally and criminally accountable, preventable workplace disasters will continue and mineworkers will continue to pay with their lives,” Mathunjwa said.
The Bloemfontein Local Football Association (LFA) ladies division sub-Committee hosted a two-day tributary football tournament at Clive Solomon Stadium in Bloemfontein from 8 to 9 August 2026 to celebrate four female football pioneers for Women’s Month.
Under the theme Honouring a Decade of Women in Football these esteemed football figures were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the development, management and growth of football in the region for 10 years or more.
Kedilate Senago-Matong of Knowledge Stars FC, Mmakopano Anah Mokheti of Black Diamonds FC, Royal Palace FC’s Maphoka Sarah Maisi (Royal Palace FC) as well as Matshediso Ramafikeng from The Echo FC were duly recognised, with sub-committee chairperson, Heila Abraham, lauding the quartet as leaders that played a vital role in providing aspiring footballers with opportunities while building the sport in local communities.
“Their journeys represent commitment, sacrifice, resilience, leadership and love for the beautiful game,” Abraham said.
She added that such tournaments strengthen relationships within the fraternity, provide competitive experience, and increase the visibility of women’s football across the Free State.
“We are particularly proud that the tournament provided an environment where teams could compete while sharing experiences, building relationships and celebrating the women, who have contributed significantly to the growth of the game,” Abraham stated.
Ladies Division coordinator, Hendrick Minnie, echoed Abraham’s sentiments further highlighting that the ongoing development of the sport requires collective effort, commitment, and strong partnerships.
“This tournament demonstrated what can be achieved when the football community comes together with a common purpose. We look forward to building on the success of this tournament and creating more opportunities for women and girls to participate, compete and grow through football,” he said.
Minnie added that these types of initiatives aim to celebrate contributors while they are still alive.
“Women in football deserve to be recognised, celebrated and supported, not only for what they have achieved, but also for the doors they continue to open for the next generation,” Minnie continued.
On the field, City Ladies were crowned tournament champions after defeating runners-up Queen Ladies FC in the final match.
City Ladies head coach, Tshidiso Diboka, welcomed the victory and praised the initiative for creating vital opportunities for female athletes.
“For the female football fraternity, having a tournament like this is very important. It creates opportunities for women and girls to showcase their talent, gain experience, build confidence and inspire the next generation of female footballers.
“I hope this tournament continues to grow and gives women’s football the recognition and platform it deserves,” said Diboka.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in Free State in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Education hosted the adjudications for learners from Primary and Secondary schools that participated in the Water and Sanitation Education Programme (WSEP) competitions in Bloemfontein under Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality on 5 August.
WSEP is a school-based initiative by the DWS designed to build water literacy, encourage resource conservation, and promote careers in the water sector. It also seeks to narrow the scarce skills gap on science and engineering fields in the water sector, and to promote awareness on water use efficiency and care of sanitation facilities.
In the Baswa le Meetse competitions that focuses on intermediate phase, a learner from Ratau Primary School in Thaba-Nchu scooped the first position in poster category and has walked away with R10 000 prize money.
According to an educator at Ratau Primary School, Maria Dimpe, the journey to achieving first place in the poster category was both challenging and rewarding.
"The road to success was demanding and required perseverance, dedication and hard work. With the support of the school, fellow educators and the parents of our learners, we were able to overcome the challenges and stay focused on our goal. Being crowned the winners of the Poster Category is a remarkable achievement and a proud moment for our school. We are excited about the opportunity to represent the province at the National Competitions and will use the valuable feedback and advice provided by the adjudicators to prepare ourselves for the next stage," said Dimpe.
Teboho Primary School from Qwa-Qwa secured a second place and received R8 000 prize, while third place went to Tabola Primary School, also from Qwa-Qwa taking away R6 000.
In the Praise Poetry category, Phomolo Primary School from Villiers claimed the first place and walked away with the top prize of R10 000.
Teboho Primary School once again impressed, earning second place with R8 000 prize. The third place was awarded to Erskuld Primary School from Thaba-Nchu, for R6 000 prize money.
In the Music category, Erskuld Primary School from Thaba Nchu emerged victorious, winning first prize and R10 000. Nexus Primary School from Harrismith secured second place and received R8 000, while Moso Primary School from Welkom rounded off the top three, taking home R6 000 for third place.
Grade 9 and 10 learners studying Mathematics and Science participated in two competition categories namely Aqua Enduro and Public Speaking. In the Aqua Enduro category, a team comprising five learners from Ithabiseng Secondary School, Lephola Secondary School, Thabo-Vuyo Secondary School, Lindley High School, and Refihletse Combined School demonstrated outstanding teamwork and problem-solving skills to emerge as the 2026 Aqua Enduro Provincial Champions.
In the Public Speaking category, first place was awarded to learners from Lindley High School, Trio Secondary School, Kheleng Secondary School, and Kgorathuto Secondary School. The winning learners impressed the adjudicators with their confidence, eloquence, and insightful presentations on water-related issues, showcasing both their public speaking abilities and their understanding of critical environmental and water conservation challenges.
Winners from Aqua Enduro and Public Speaking competition’s will each represent the province at the upcoming National Adjudication competitions where winners will scoop bursary awards to study any career of choice in the water sector.
The Baswa le Meetse winners also stand a chance to win cash prize at the National Adjudications competitions.
According to Ziyanda Xokozela, Director for Water and Sanitation Services Support, a total of 32 schools from the Mangaung Metropolitan, Thabo Mofutsanyana, Fezile Dabi, Lejweleputswa, and Xhariep Districts participated in the 2026 school competitions.
Xokozela highlighted that the programme has experienced significant growth, as reflected in the increased number of participating schools this year. While this encouraging trend demonstrates the programme’s expanding reach and impact, she has emphasized that there remains considerable opportunity for additional schools to become involved and benefit from the initiative in future years.
She further emphasised that the Department is committed to contribute towards improving water and sanitation services in the country.
“The DWS is committed to continue to scout for future scientists and engineers in the country through its advocacy programmes on water and sanitation. The Department will in the process, create opportunities for learners to be awarded bursaries to study towards careers within the water and sanitation sector,” said Xokozela
Learners, educator and schools who wishes to participate in the Water and Sanitation Education Adjudications for 2027 can feel free to contacts the Free State Coordinators for more information Nkosinathi Zungu at 082 556 0545 or Kelebohile Saha at 073 440 8781.
