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As South Africa’s economy continues to tremble and households struggle to make ends meet, many citizens are turning to gambling—hoping to find relief in a game of chance. What began as casual entertainment has grown into a multibillion-rand industry, one that, for some, has become as routine as a monthly debit order.
Gambling Becomes a National Habit. According to a report by Eighty20 Consulting, about 42% of South African adults are active gamblers, the majority of whom are men. The industry reportedly generates R75 billion in revenue annually, even after paying out more than R1.4 trillion in winnings to players. Analysts warn that gambling feels deceptively harmless because “winners are visible,” creating the illusion that profit is just one bet away.
“A Walking Debt Magnet” Mark, a 32-year-old gambling addict from Gauteng, said his struggle began in his teens with a simple game of cards among friends.
“Some people gamble for fun or to pass the time, but for others like me, it’s a way of trying to provide for our families. There’s no peace in gambling—you keep thinking about the money you could win, and that blinds you. Even when I win, I want to play again because I want more,” he said.
Mark admitted that his addiction has left him drowning in debt, constantly borrowing money without knowing how he will repay it.
“If I had a choice, I’d quit and focus on my job, but I don’t earn enough. Gambling feels like my only option,” he added.
A recent drug bust in Murison, Heidedal, Bloemfontein, has reignited concerns over the safety of schoolchildren in the area. The South African Police Service (SAPS) confiscated 353 rolled cannabis-laced substances weighing 400 grams, along with 66 zip-lock bags containing Mandrax tablets, eight zip-lock bags of Methcathinone — commonly known as ‘Cat’—and one additional bag of Crystal Meth.
A 33-year-old man was arrested, and a case of drug dealing was opened at the Heidedal Police Station. The suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon. In an exclusive interview with the Journal News, Colonel Isak Francis, co-chair of the District Joint Youth
and the Social Responsibility Priority Committee and acting station commander at Mangaung Police Station, emphasised the critical role parents play in combating drug abuse among youth.
“Charity begins at home. Parents should be aware of their children’s behavioural patterns and not lose hope when they suspect negative influences. Instead, they should strive to understand and educate their children about the dangers of gangsterism and drugs,” said Francis. He explained that while school safety officers have been appointed to educate learners about drugs, gangsterism, school safety, and human trafficking, parental involvement remains key.
Francis also reflected on the effectiveness of community policing programmes before 1995, which helped combat crime through visible police presence and community engagement. However, he noted that rising living costs and poverty have worsened the situation.
"Children from impoverished households often resort to selling drugs among their peers just to afford a meal. Some drug lords exploit this by offering food and support, eventually recruiting them as foot soldiers,” he added.
Francis urged community members to cooperate with police, report drug-related activities, and refrain from interfering during arrests. Meanwhile, Basie Kok, chairperson of the Greater Mangaung Neighbourhood Watch, expressed concern that community patrols often face danger and backlash when responding to drug-related incidents. Kok proposed increased after-hours patrols and the establishment of school safety committees to strengthen prevention efforts.
“We’ve seen positive results at Heatherdale Secondary, Olympia, and Credence Primary, where neighbourhood watch members patrol school premises after hours. If more schools adopt this initiative, we can gradually reduce drug distribution and use among learners,” concluded Kok.
Free State Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Solly Lesia, has praised the South African Police Service (SAPS), the farming community, private security, and other stakeholders for their swift response in the fatal shooting of a farmer and sexual assault of his wife in Heilbron this past week. The farmer was attacked on his property, and his 34-year-old wife was rushed to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Lesia commended the coordinated search operation that led to the arrest of 13 suspects — 11 men and two women. Police also recovered 22 stolen sheep, a firearm, a minibus, and several household items believed to have been taken during the attack. “This rapid response and the successful arrest of the suspects demonstrate what can be achieved when the police and the community work together. We will continue to act decisively against any form of violent crime.” said Lesia.
The suspects have been charged with murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery, and stock theft — crimes that have left the Free State farming community
shaken and fearful. In a related case, Lesego Makole, a livestock farmer from Botshabelo, shared his frustration after losing 25 sheep to theft. Despite knowing where the animals were taken, the livestock was never recovered.
“Since we had not yet opened a case, a warrant officer from Botshabelo told us they couldn’t help. Later, another incident happened where 12 cows with calves were stolen. We opened a case and managed to retrieve our livestock from a farm in Thaba Nchu, but the perpetrators fled before police could catch them,” said Makole. Makole alleged that some perpetrators are foreign nationals who rent vacant farms and use them for illegal livestock operations.
“These farms were meant for agricultural development, but instead they’re being misused. Even with patrols and cameras, theft continues. The government should repossess these vacant farms,” he added.
Makole urged SAPS to strengthen its stock theft units and called for better coordination with Home Affairs to deal with undocumented foreign nationals allegedly involved in rural crimes. “Stock theft in Botshabelo is a nightmare. If I didn’t know better, I’d say some police work with the thieves because nothing ever happens to them. Everyone in the livestock community knows who’s behind these thefts— so why can’t the police act?” he asked.
Jakkals Le Roux, chairperson of the Free State Farmers Association, said while SAPS’s quick responses are appreciated, farmers must remain vigilant. “We know the police can’t be everywhere, so we urge our members to stay alert, install alarms, and join safety groups. Community cooperation is key to protecting our livestock,” said Le Roux. In another breakthrough, members of the Bloemspruit Crime Prevention Unit arrested two foreign nationals, aged 34 and 37, and a 25-year-old woman after receiving a tip-off about cheap meat being sold in Bergman Square, Bloemspruit.
According to Lieutenant General Thabo Covane, police acted after a prospective buyer contacted the sellers. “A deal was struck, but the buyer insisted on live sheep. The police were alerted and found the suspects with eight carcasses and one live sheep. The three were immediately arrested, and our visible policing team processed the scene,” said Covane.
The suspects were also linked to a robbery in Martin Dale, where a 36-year-old victim was tied up and robbed of 21 sheep and ammunition. Covane warned that livestock-related crimes tend to increase during the festive season, urging farmers to step up security patrols and report suspicious activity.
The majestic Gariep Dam, often described as the heartbeat of the Free State’s tourism landscape, provided a fitting backdrop for the official launch of the Free State Summer Campaign on Thursday. MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Ketso Makume, unveiled the campaign with a message that resonated beyond leisure and travel — positioning tourism as a vital pillar of livelihood and local empowerment. “Tourism is more than leisure; it is a livelihood,” said Makume.
“Gariep Dam was chosen because it is a place where adventure meets tranquillity — where families, nature lovers, and water sport enthusiasts find joy and inspiration. It connects the essence of what the Free State has to offer: natural beauty, boundless opportunity, and a spirit of togetherness that defines our people.”
The MEC emphasised that tourism continues to stand among the most powerful drivers of job creation, local economic growth, and the celebration of the province’s unique character. “Every visitor who books accommodation, enjoys a meal at a local restaurant, or purchases a handmade craft contributes to a chain of opportunities that support families, sustain small enterprises, and strengthen communities,” he added.
Makume further explained that the Free State Summer Campaign seeks to reignite tourism activities across the province by
promoting it as a safe, affordable, and family-friendly destination. Through this initiative, the provincial government aims to draw more visitors to its hidden gems, scenic routes, and diverse hospitality establishments.
He concluded by reaffirming that the overarching goal is to boost visitor numbers while fostering inclusive participation across the entire tourism value chain — ensuring that the benefits of a thriving tourism sector reach every corner of the province. Visitors to the Xhariep District were also encouraged to explore the Gariep Dam Nature Reserve, which offers a range of accommodation options and scenic camping areas. Just a short walk away stands the impressive Gariep Dam wall — South Africa’s largest dam — rising 88 metres high and stretching 914 metres across.
This vast expanse of water spans more than 370 square kilometres when full and has a storage capacity of nearly 6 000 million cubic litres, serving as a vital source of water supply and hydroelectric power for the region. Local tourism officials welcomed the campaign’s launch, ex
pressing optimism for the months ahead. “Gariep Dam is more than just a destination — it’s a symbol of what the Free State can
offer the world,” said a representative from the Free State Tourism Authority.
“We’re confident this campaign will inspire travellers to rediscover our province, support local businesses, and experience the
warmth and hospitality our communities are known for.”
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has launched a probe into alleged maladministration and mismanagement at Siyathemba Municipality in the Northern Cape. The investigation aims to uncover irregularities in financial management, service delivery, and governance, as concerns grow over the municipality’s accountability and operational practices.
This follows a proclamation signed earlier this week by President Cyril Ramaphosa, authorising the SIU to thoroughly investigate the city amid allegations of irregular procurement of printers, photocopyers, and other office equipment, to recover any losses suffered by the state. “Proclamation 295 of 2025 covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2016 and 31 October 2025, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2016 or after the date of the proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts,” said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
Kganyago further confirmed that the SIU has presidential authorisation to investigate any unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure incurred by the municipality or the state. The probe will also focus on the contracting of goods and services, examining whether contracts were awarded fairly, competitively, transparently, equitably, and cost-effectively, in line with applicable legislation and treasury guidelines.
“Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption, and fraud, the SIU is committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses. Protecting the public interest and assets through preventative and systemic investigations is central to eradicating fraud, maladministration, and corruption,” Kganyago added.
In line with the SIU Act (Act 74 of 1996), any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during the investigation will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The SIU is also authorised to pursue civil action in the High Court or Special Tribunal to address wrongdoing resulting from corruption, fraud, or maladministration.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Siyathemba Municipality welcomed the SIU’s probe, which targets misconduct dating back to 2016. “Over the years, the DA has fought to address the critical lack of financial oversight in the municipality, particularly the dysfunctionality of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC). The committee is responsible for examining financial statements and audit reports, making recommendations, and investigating irregular expenditure,” said DA councillor Wiida Pelster.
Pelster alleged that MPAC’s dysfunction contributed to irregular expenditure exceeding R360 million over the past 15 years, citing a lack of financial competence, withheld financial statements, and insufficient political will to expose irregularities. The DA previously tabled motions of no confidence (MONC) against municipal officials, including the speaker and MPAC chairperson, but these motions were unsuccessful due to council opposition.
Pelster also highlighted unfinished legacy infrastructure projects in Prieska and Marydale, which remain incomplete despite significant spending. These include bulk sewer lines, pump stations, reservoirs, and sewerage networks, with progress ranging from 40% to 99%. “The Prieska Waterborne Gravitational Sewer Network for 472 erven in E’thembeni Plakkerskamp remains incomplete, with millions spent but open trenches left and some trenches filled with pipes,” Pelster said.
The DA hopes the SIU probe will encourage municipal employees to whistleblow and ensure those responsible for misappropriating taxpayers’ money are held accountable.
