The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has confirmed that no fatalities occurred during the 2025 edition of the race held on Sunday.
The CMA's assertion follows distressing reports circulating across various digital media outlets, suggesting that two runners had died during the event.
Alain Dalais, General Manager of the CMA, stated unequivocally that the marathon was conducted without any recorded deaths.
"As can be expected from an event of this nature and size, there were some cases of runners being transferred to the hospital from the route for various medical reasons," Dalais explained.
"However, our medical, emergency, safety, and health protocols are excellent and focused on the safety of all runners."
The CMA takes the dissemination of false information seriously and has urged the community to exercise caution when discussing the event's outcomes.
"The CMA distances itself from any fake news or rumours doing the rounds," he continued.
"We strongly recommend that our community relies on reputable sources for information, beginning with our own official channels," he said.
The CMA takes the dissemination of false information seriously and has urged the community to exercise caution when discussing the event's outcomes.
"The CMA distances itself from any fake news or rumours doing the rounds," he continued.
"We strongly recommend that our community relies on reputable sources for information, beginning with our own official channels," he said.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Written by: Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae
On 1 June 2025, I watched Keabetswe Mongale grieving the loss of her one and only daughter Olorato. Many of us did.
I gritted my teeth and gulped down water given to me to keep from completely breaking down. In Poppynyana, as we often refer to Keabetswe, I saw myself. I saw a woman consumed by unimaginable grief and loss. I saw a mother, a loving mother, who longed to embrace her daughter whose mortal remains laid in a pure white casket surrounded by illuminating candles. I saw pain.
I listened, with a broken heart, to Olorato’s loving grandmother, who spoke about her granddaughter’s murderers. “Ke lomeleditswe ke basimanyana bangwe (I was dealt a blow by some boys)” she bemoaned.
The unnecessary death of Olorato dealt all of us a devastating blow, more so her mother, Keabetswe. This cruel killing was a painful reminder of the magnitude of the task before us to put an end to Gender Based Violence and Femicide.
Imagine the disgust I felt when days after we laid Olorato to rest, disgusting social media posts about her grieving mother Keabetswe and her supposed involvement in her daughter’s tragic death. The posts were insensitive, cruel and distasteful. They were a disgusting desperate attempt at relevance on social media.
They revealed more about the people who posted them…these are empty, broken shells who derive joy from the misery of others. These people need help. What is worrying is that more of these people are gaining traction and have a large following on social media.
People must learn to allow grieving families time and space to mourn their loved ones.
During the recent deaths of three police officers, Cebekhulu Linda, Keamogetswe Buys and Boipelo Senoge, social media ‘detectives’ went on overdrive, coming up with theories about what lead to the deaths of the officers.This is grossly irresponsible and denies the grief stricken families an opportunity to heal. All because of a desperate need for social media comments and likes. We can do better Ma-Afrika.
My appeal to you all is to use social media in a positive way. There are plenty of opportunities, both from public and private sector, being advertised on social media each and every single day.
This Youth Month, I appeal to young people to channel that energy into doing good. The social media that is often used to peddle disinformation can also be used as a powerful tool to empower the youth.
Let us not waste time on destructive conduct while we could be doing more to empower ourselves and others.
Government has never been shy to admit to the challenges that it is faced with. We have owned up to our shortcomings. We have also pledged to double our efforts to create employment opportunities for the people of the Free State, particularly the youth.
We want to travel this journey with you.
However, making wild accusations about devastated mothers, days after they bury their children, will do nothing but delay progress.
The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation(DSACR), led by MEC Ntombizanele Sifuba, will launch the 2025 Choral, Clap and Tap Festival.
The session will take place, on Friday 13th June at PACOFS in Bloemfontein.
The launch of this Festival a Provincial Flagship Programme planned to be rolled out over a 3-year period, is set to coincide with the Youth Month as its focus is on providing young people with opportuni9es for exposure of their talent and related economic gains.
It is a multifaced arts and culture programme, whose purpose is to iden9fy talent, nourish it and develop plaTorms for such to be showcased in the highest standard for various diverse audiences and markets, whilst capacitating numerous youth segments with skills sets that ensure that there is creation of sustainable jobs within our communi9es. The object is to discover or iden9fy talent, develop or nourish it, and ensure that it is put on plaTorms where it can be showcased for bigger markets and audiences.
The entire programme will be covering each and every municipality of the Free State province. The initiative itself will bring huge local economic spin-offs and will deliver more direct jobs within the arts sector. The biggest beneficiaries for such jobs will be youth, women and people living with disabilities.
Sifuba, will officially unveil the Festival and provide an overview of the key events.
The National Prosecuting Authority released a media statement confirming that "Sibusiso Ncengwa was convicted of conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Magaqa, former Secretary General of the ANC Youth League, was shot in July 2017 and succumbed to his injuries after spending time in hospital. Sentencing proceedings will commence on 30 June 2025 at the Pietermaritzburg High Court."
The NPA's aggressive stance in prosecuting violent crimes has yielded results, demonstrating its commitment to justice and accountability.
Abigail Visagie
The 42-year-old police sergeant arrested in connection with the kidnapping case of 19 year old Kamogelo Baukudi briefly appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court and remains in custody. Brigadier Sam Makhele mentioned that the suspect’s name cannot be revealed as ordered by the court at the request of the investigating team.
The case has been postponed to June 13 for bail information and further investigation. Provincial Commissioner of the Police in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, has reiterated the SAPS’s unwavering commitment to uncovering the full truth behind this heinous crime. Kamogelo Baukudi was kidnapped earlier this month and remains missing. It is alleged that the suspect demanded a ransom from the family, but the amount of money demanded has not been disclosed to the public. This is a developing story…
We think we’ve been able to secure a settlement in the best interest of workers, says Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim.
Numsa, the country’s largest union, has signed a multi-term above-inflation wage deal with five employers in the country’s multi billion-rand plastics sector, which is set to be extended to nonparties in a sector employing about 34,000 workers nationally.
The wage agreement would see workers getting pay increases of 7% effective July 1, a 6% increase effective July 2026 and another 6% increase from July 2027. The inflation rate slightly increased from the 2.7% recorded in March to 2.8% in April.
*This article was first published by Business Day
