By: JN Reporter
Ngwathe Local Municipality has intensified its crackdown on illegal tuck shops operating across its towns, warning that unregistered businesses flouting health, safety and zoning regulations will face immediate closure.
The operation, carried out in partnership with law enforcement and health inspectors, aims to root out non-compliant traders, protect consumers from unsafe food handling practices and restore order in residential areas increasingly affected by unregulated informal trading.
Accompanied by Municipal Manager Dr Futhuli Patrick Mothamaha and MMC for Public Safety and Transport Noma Moloi, Executive Mayor Victoria De Beer-Mthombeni this week led a multi-agency operation to shut down unlicensed tuck shops and non-compliant businesses in Mokwallo, Vredefort. The operation was conducted in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Home Affairs, the Regional Disaster Management team and the Local Economic Development Office.
The mayor said the ongoing operations form part of the municipality’s commitment to restoring ororderprotecting infrastructure, and enforcing compliance to create safer and fair economic conditions for all residents. She raised serious concerns about widespread illegal electricity consumption, particularly among some foreign-owned shops. According to the municipality, several businesses reflected questionable purchasing histories on municipal records, while some operators were allegedly in possession of documents that do not permit them to run businesses.
“The municipality is suffering significant revenue losses, including damage to electricity infrastructure as a result of overloading. Ngwathe currently owes Eskom approximately R2.8 billion, a situation largely attributed to electricity losses arising from illegal connections, tampering with infrastructure and non-compliance with municipal bylaws. These operations are critical in addressing revenue leakages, stabilising the municipality’s financial position and ensuring a sustainable electricity supply to our communities,” she said.
In Parys, an unlicensed scrap yard was closed after suspected stolen municipal infrastructure, including copper and steel, was recovered.
Authorities also uncovered widespread electrici ty meter tampering, with many establishments failing to pay for municipal services. The municipality further revealed that some businesses previously shut down had illegally resumed operations.
The municipality said the crackdown will continue as part of efforts to restore order, protect public infrastructure and ensure compliance across all towns under its jurisdiction.
By: JN Reporter
In an era of tightening municipal budgets, infrastructure strain and intensifying public scrutiny, the ability to communicate clearly and harness digital tools has become central to effective local governance.
Recognising this shift, the Free State office of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) convened a Communication and Digital Masterclass in Bloemfontein aimed at strengthening municipal capacity in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
Held at Protea Hotel Willow Lake under the theme “Driving Digital Transformation and Communications Excellence in Municipalities,” the session brought together communication and ICT practitioners from municipalities across the province. Strategic partners included the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), MTN and the University of the Free State (UFS), with representatives from CoGTA, Old Mutual and the Road Traffic Infringement Agency also in attendance.
Opening the engagement, SALGA Free State Provincial Director of Operations, Ms Emily Kuzwayo, said the masterclass was designed as a strategic intervention to enhance transparency, rebuild public trust and improve service delivery through stronger communication systems.
Facilitated by GCIS Free State Director Ms Yoliswa Blom, the programme focused on practical tools for data-driven communication, digital innovation and improved citizen engagement.
SALGA representatives William Moraka and Mukovhe Lumadi led discussions on digital transformation and turning municipal data into actionable insights to strengthen planning and responsiveness. Artificial intelligence formed part of the dialogue, with Professor Natasha Mboti of UFS urging municipalities to approach AI strategically and ethically, while maintaining the core principles of clarity and accountability.
The masterclass underscored the growing view that digital competence is essential for municipalities seeking to remain responsive, transparent and future-ready.
Premier set to table key policy plans amid renewed push for execution and oversight
By: Lerato Mutlanyane
With the spotlight firmly on accountability and delivery, the Free State Legislature has declared its readiness for the 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA), setting the tone for a financial year expected to test the government’s commitment to execution over rhetoric.
The State of the Province Address is scheduled to take place today at 10:00 at the Old Grey Sport Ground in Bloemfontein. The Premier is expected to outline the province’s political and socio-economic conditions, set key policy priorities for the year ahead, and reflect on both achievements and persistent challenges.
The address will bring together members of the judiciary, business, labour, religious institutions, academia and other sectors of society.
Addressing members of the media on Wednesday, Speaker of the Free State Legislature Mxolisi Dukwana described the occasion as a carefully structured programme aimed at driving development and reinforcing fiscal discipline.
“It is not a celebration. It is not a spectacle. It is a constitutional accountability platform,” Dukwana stressed. “It is not a fashion parade, but a moment for government to account to the people.”
Dukwana further reported that expenditure on the official SOPA has been reduced by more than 25% compared to the previous year, decreasing from R4.5 million to R3.3 million.
“This reduction is deliberate,” he said, noting that it reflects the Legislature’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and strengthening public trust.
Residents have been encouraged to follow the proceedings through available platforms and to remain actively engaged throughout the year. “The Legislature does not operate in isolation,” he added.
Reaffirming the institution’s mandate, Dukwana said the Legislature remains committed to protecting constitutional democracy, advancing the rights and livelihoods of citizens, exercising vigilant oversight over the executive, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources.
“We look forward to the Premier’s address and to the robust legislative process that will follow. Above all, this institution exists for one purpose — to serve the people of the province.”
As the briefing concluded, attention turned to a pressing question: will 2026 mark a decisive shift from planning to implementation — translating policy commitments into measurable delivery for the people of the Free State?
Here’s what residents expect from the Premier’s address
Residents across the Free State say they want this year’s State of the Province Address to move beyond promises and focus squarely on service delivery, jobs and opportunities for young people.
Marlene Van Wyk from Heidedal in Bloemfontein believes road infrastructure and healthcare should top the Premier’s priorities.
“I will be happy if I can hear the Premier speaking about plans to fix our roads in Heidedal and prioritise the needs of elderly people in our communities. Importantly, improve our local hospital, Pelonomi Hospital, because our people cannot continue to die and be treated like animals. We pay taxes for a reason”.
“Fix our street lights, which don’t function half the time, and repair our sewerage systems so that we don’t have flooded or blocked drains,” said Van Wyk.
Bonisoa Mahlasi said unemployment must be aaddresseddecisively.
“As a member of the Free State community, I expect the State of the Province Address to tackle pressing issues like unemployment. The province is facing serious challenges, with youth unemployment exceeding 35%. It’s frustrating that this issue is repeatedly discussed without tangible results,” she said.
Meanwhile, Msokoli Nyuleka hopes the Premier will address the shortage of local sporting facilities for young people.
“We need to nurture our youth from an early age to prevent what we see now, where young people loiter in the streets daily with nothing to do. They end up turning to crime because there are no proper sporting facilities and no direction,” said Nyuleka
City hosts Safer City Indaba to declare war on crime in a coordinated effort to secure dignity, investment and growth
By: Matshidiso Selebeleng
The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) has taken a significant step toward ur ban renewal by hosting a comprehensive Safer City Indaba at the Bloemfontein City Hall.
Held from 18 to 19 February 2026, the summit gathered key representatives from the Border Management Authority (BMA), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and the Community Policing Forum (CPF) to address critical issues, including disaster readiness, by-law enforcement, and gender-based violence.
This strategic gathering marked a shift from theoretical planning to a practical, integrated approach to securing the metro’s future. Opening the proceedings, Mangaung Executive Mayor, Gregory Nthatisi, delivered a powerful keynote address, asserting that safety is the fundamental bedrock of dignity and economic growth. “Safety is not a side function of government. It is not an isolated programme.
It is the foundation upon which dignity, development, investment, and social stability rest,” Nthatisi stated, while challenging officials to move beyond mere rhetoric. “Where people do not feel safe, opportunity retreats. Where communities live in fear, progress slows. Where lawlessness grows, trust in institutions weakens,” he added. Nthatisi’s address highlighted a commitment to action over bureaucracy. “Passing policies is easier than implementing them.
Drafting bylaws is easier than enforcing them. Announcing plans is easier than coordinating execution. One of the central tests of this Indaba will be whether we move from fragmented effort to coordinated action.” Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, echoed Nthatisi’s sentiments while expressing grave concern over the rising tide of housebreakings, murders, and the infiltration of violence into schools. Taking a firm stance, Letsoha-Mathae committed the full weight of provincial authority to declaring war against violence in the province to ensure that the vision of the National Development Plan (NDP) - a society where citizens live free of fear - becomes a reality.
This commitment is backed by strengthened partnerships with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the ramping up of municipal policing units specifically tasked with dismantling gangs, drug syndicates, and cross-border criminal networks. The second day of the Indaba transitioned into the logistics of implementation, focusing on the precision of ward-based planning.
Technical expert, Angie Mokasi, explained that safety strategies must be tailored to the specific risks of each area. “There is no single approach for every ward; the dynamics of every ward are not the same in terms of the risks depending on population density, land use, economic activities, and social conditions,” she noted.
By utilising ward profiling and crime pattern analysis, the municipality aims to address the unique vulnerabilities of schools, informal settlements, and business hubs through localised interventions rather than a generic, city-wide approach. Concluding the summit, the focus shifted toward modernisation and the role of innovation in public safety.
MMC for Economic Development, Manthuse Let awana, introduced the concept of Smart City Development, detailing how digital solutions and technological innovation can be leveraged to enhance urban security and streamline service delivery. By integrating advanced technology with localised, ground-level policing, Mangaung is positioning itself to build a resilient and inclusive environment where safety is no longer a privilege but a guaranteed right for every resident.
ANC race intensifying, provincial chairman quashes conference claims and pledges loyalty to provincial mandate
By: JN Reporter
The African National Congress (ANC)’s Northern Cape Chairman, Zamani Saul, has finally addressed swirling speculation about his alleged bid for the organisation’s secretary-general position, decisively shutting down claims that he is eyeing the powerful post ahead of the party’s highly anticipated national conference next year.
Addressing the party’s provincial Lekgotla last weekend, Saul dismissed claims of a leadership bid, insisting his focus remains firmly on his current mandate in the province rather than national ambitions. “I am going nowhere!” Saul declared, making it “very clear” that he intends to complete the task entrusted to him when he was re-elected last year — leading the province into the upcoming local government elections and the 2029 national elections.
Talks of an early conference in the Northern Cape and me getting elected into the National Executive Committee (NEC) are just hot air. It will never happen because I have a mandate here which I am not going to abandon, up until the bitter end,” he said. His remarks come amid intensifying internal succession debates, with lobbying efforts gaining momentum and fresh polling pointing to a wide-open contest for top leadership positions.
Speculation that billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe could enter the ANC presidential race has also resurfaced, despite his repeated denials.
Branded T-shirts bearing the slogan “PM27 Savu melana” have fuelled talk of a possible campaign ahead of the elective conference.
Motsepe, a mining magnate, philanthropist, and continental sports leader, is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most influential figures. Should he enter the race, he is expected to face competition from current Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
Meanwhile, Saul issued a stern warning against factionalism within the province. He urged delegates to isolate and expose anyone seeking to divide the party, stressing that unity in the Northern Cape is “sacrosanct” and must be protected at all costs.
He cautioned that without unity, the ANC would struggle to compete effectively in this year’s local government elections
By Lerato Mutlanyane
A fast-spreading livestock disease is tearing through herds, sending shockwaves from farm gates to supermarket shelves. With fears of looming price hikes and possible rationing, what began as an agricultural crisis is fast escalating into a national emergency — and political flashpoint.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and several wildlife species, is threatening the backbone of South Africa’s livestock industry. The disease compromises animal health, slashes productivity and disrupts trade, placing immense pressure on farmers and the broader agricultural economy.
Symptoms include fever, blisters and lesions in the mouth and on the hooves, lameness, reduced milk production, rapid breathing and loss of appetite. While FMD does not pose a direct threat to human health, its economic consequences are severe, particularly for export markets reliant on disease-free certification.
The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed 344 active cases across municipalities in the province — a figure that underscores the scale and urgency of the outbreak.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has announced that a nationwide vaccine rollout is underway to curb the spread of the virus and safeguard the country’s FMD-free status, a critical requirement for the resumption of export trade.
Farmers have been urged to comply strictly with control measures, including isolation of infected animals, vaccination, culling where necessary and the enforcement of stringent biosecurity protocols.
For many in the sector, South Africa’s return to FMD-free status hinges on the swift distribution of vaccines — and the collective discipline of the agricultural community to contain the outbreak before its economic bite deepens.
