EASTERN FREE STATE
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WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL 2014
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Shack burns down
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Man’s business takes a knock after equipment is destroyed } Tladi Moloi A FIRE consumed a two-room shack in Extension 2 of Bohlokong in Bethlehem a few hours after the two people who lived there had left for work. On Thursday morning the shack was burnt to the ground and the inhabitants are still in shock. Lehlohonolo Hlongwane (42) is deeply troubled. He was using the shack for his panel beating business and at the time of the fire all his equipment was inside. He said he had lost everything in the fire. The seats of some cars that he had been working on were inside as well. “I hope the car owners understand. I really don’t know what to do at the moment. “I’m just thankful for caring neighbours who saved some of the cars that would also have been damaged,” he said. Paulos Nkomo, Hlongwane’s business partner, noticed the fire while waiting for Hlongwane. “Nkomo called me and told me my house was on fire. “I could not believe it and came running but by the time I arrived, everything was gone,” he said. The house belonged to his friend who was now in Bloemfontein with his family and Hlongwane added that he had been using the shack to run his business. “Two people live there, but had left for work before the fire started.” Nkomo said he had heard a sound from another room before he kicked down the door to see
Women shot } Tladi Moloi
A FIRE raging in a shack in Extension 2, Bohlokong, was extinguished by the Dihlabeng Local Municipality’s fire brigade. Photo: Tladi Moloi what it was. “When I opened the door I saw the flames. “I tried to put out the fire, but I failed,” he said. The fire was eventually extinguished by the Dihlabeng Local Municipality’s fire brigade. Mafube Mofokeng, ward 19
councillor, told Express Eastern Free State that the municipality would offer assistance before the end of the week. “We’ll hold a meeting to determine how we can help those people, because we know they’ve lost everything,” he said.
Sgt. Mmako Mophiring, the police spokesperson, confirmed the incident. “The police have registered a case of arson and the cause of the fire is as yet unknown,” he said. ) For more photos visit www.express-news.co.za.
PHILIMON MALOKE (50) has ended his life with a gunshot after he had shot and wounded Makapa Mapote (50) and her daughter Maletsema (24) at their home at Zone 7, Meqeleng, near Ficksburg. This happened on Friday, 18 April. Makapa and Maletsema are both in a critical condition in the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein after they were transferred from the Dihlabeng Hospital in Bethlehem. It is alleged that on that Friday night, Maloke had arrived at Mapote’s home where he had a fight with her. He took out a pistol and shot her several times. She sustained wounds in the stomach, wrist and right thigh. He also shot at the daughter and wounded her in the mouth and the head. Maloke then allegedly shot himself in the head and died on the scene. Capt. Phumelelo Dlamini, the police communication officer from Ficksburg, said: “We are investigating attempted murder cases regarding the two women and an inquest case into the death of Maloke.”
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL 2014
NEWS
Hard work pays for new school hall } Tladi Moloi TATE MAKGOE, the Free State MEC for Education, officially opened the R6,5 million hall at the Mohaladitwe Secondary School in Makwane Village, Qwaqwa, on Monday. The hall came as a reward after the school had surprised many by obtaining a 100% matric pass rate in 2012, an improvement from the 20,4% of 2011. Mohaladitwe became the second school to receive a hall after their neighbour, the Rantsane Secondary School. At the handing-over ceremony James Dlamini, the principal of the school, told those attending they had decided to name the new hall after the MEC. “Makgoe raised the school from the ashes and we felt we should do something for him that would never be forgotten. “We asked him for a hall and he said they would build it if we could obtain a 100% pass rate, and we did. We are happy that today we can celebrate the result of his promise,” he said. Dlamini said they had also received a media centre and science laboratory. “We don’t want to ask for anything, but we want to reward the MEC. We know that he loves Physical Science and Mathematics and we are going to make sure that we give him excellent results in those two subjects,” he said. The capacity of the hall is 1 200 and Dlamini said that would help them in the effective management of examinations and that it would be a convenient facility for indoor
TATE MAKGOE, the Free State MEC for Education, Kgahliso Mofokeng, a gr. 12 learner, and James Dlamini, the principal of the Mohaladitwe Secondary School, during the official handing over of the school’s new hall. Photo: Tladi Moloi activities. Makgoe said the school had worked hard and that they deserved better. “I am proud of this school. After obtaining a disappointing 20,4%, they promised they would
work hard and improve, and they did just that,” he said. He said the learners should be proud of themselves. “It is time that we change the future of black children. Gone are the days when one thought taking
your child to a private school would make them clever. Our schools are now better than before,” he said. Makgoe said he would like to thank the teachers of Mohaladitwe for the support they had
shown the learners. “I was very happy to hear one of the learners saying that their teachers loved them. It shows the kind of a relationship between the teachers and their learners,” he concluded.
Malawian to apply for legal aid } Tladi Moloi
BRIAN AND TILLY POPE from Durban were killed during their Easter holiday at the Tweevley Guest Farm, Harrismith. Photo: Tladi Moloi
PHARAOH MHONE (32) from Malawi is expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate’s Court next Tuesday to apply for legal aid, and for the state to get him an interpreter who can speak his language, Chewa. Mhone, who has been accused of two counts of murder and attempted murder, which he had committed last Sunday, appeared briefly before the court on Wednesday. He is suspected of killing Brian (62) and Tilly (46) Pope from Durban during the Easter holiday at the Tweevley Guest Farm in the Harrismith district. The couple were found dead in their bedroom. He allegedly also attacked Brian’s son, Warren Pope, and his
wife, Marlene, on the same day. The couple survived the attack and were later admitted to a hospital in Bethlehem with serious injuries. Warren was allegedly stabbed with a garden fork while his wife was shot and stabbed in the face. Their children, however, were not harmed. Sgt. Mmako Mophiring said on 20 April at approximately 00:00 the police had been summoned to the Tweevley Guest Farm where they had found a couple aged 62 and 46 respectively shot and killed in the bedroom. “Pope’s daughter-in-law, Marlene, managed to flee the scene in their car together with her children. “An ambulance took her husband with serious injuries to hospital,” he said. He said the motive behind the
senseless killings was not yet known. Meanwhile, Mosebenzi Zwane, the Free State MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, condemned in the strongest terms the senseless, barbaric and brutal killing over the Easter weekend. The MEC sent his condolences to the family of the deceased, and wished Brian and Marlene a speedy recovery. “This tragic incident has unnecessarily blemished the tourism and hospitality industry in the Free State. “I commend the police for the good work they did in apprehending the suspect. “It is every Free Stater’s responsibility to make sure that every single person who visits this province feels safe and welcome,” he said.
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NEWS
This is how you go about voting SOUTH AFRICA will hold its fifth democratic national and provincial elections on 7 May. The 2014 national elections hold a special significance as South Africans born after the first democratic elections in 1994 are eligible to vote for the first time. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) stressed that everyone involved in the elections, including all registered political parties and candidates, were expected to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct. The purpose of the code is to promote free and fair elections, including the political tolerance, free campaigning and open public debate. The IEC announced that there are 22 263 voting districts and stations, and approximately 212 000 electoral staff members were recruited and are being trained for the election. Just over 26 000 South Africans have successfully applied to vote abroad, 29 political parties will contest the election to the National Assembly and there were 196 registered political parties (national and provincial) as on 6 March. The cut-off date for appeals against decisions of the IEC was on 10 April; 15 April was the cut-off date for deciding appeals and notifying parties by the Electoral Court, while yesterday certificates were issued to candidates on the final list of candidates. Voting overseas South African citizens residing outside the country and who are registered to
The 2014 national elections hold a special significance as South Africans born after the first democratic elections in 1994 are eligible to vote for the first time. vote will also have an opportunity to cast their ballot on 30 April. They can vote at any of South Africa’s 124 embassies, high commissions or consulates-general located in 108 countries. On 5 and 6 May special votes will be cast. On election day 117 home affairs offices will also be open for the collection of ID books, ID smart cards and temporary identity certificates. Who may vote? To be eligible to vote, you need to be a South African citizen and registered to vote, at least 18 years old on the day of proclamation, and in possession of a green bar-coded ID book, ID smart card or temporary identity certificate. To find out if you are registered or where you must vote, send your ID number via SMS to 32810 (SMS costs R1). Once registered, you stay on the voters’ roll for all future elections – you will not have to register again unless you move to another voting district.
To find out at which voting station you are registered, please check your voter registration status online or SMS your ID number to 32810. Your local municipal electoral officer or provincial IEC office (voting station queries) can also help. The national IEC helpline number is 0800-11-8000 if you have any voting station queries. The IEC is also on social media with registration queries: Facebook (IECSouthAfrica) or Twitter (@IECSouthAfrica). Help is also available at voter education non-governmental organisations or your organisation or political party. If you have problems regarding your ID, visit your regional Home Affairs office or call them on their toll-free hotline number at 0800-60-11-90. The process On election day, voting will take place from 07:00 to 21:00. The voting process steps will be the same as in previous national and provincial elections where you show
your ID document, the voting officer checks and scans the bar code of your ID book, the voting officer checks to see if your name is on the voters’ roll (the section of the voters’ roll for your voting district) and your hands are checked to see if they have been marked already (in other words, if you have voted already). Your name is then crossed off the voters’ roll (the section of the voters’ roll for your voting district). For the 2014 elections, the full voters’ roll will also be available in electronic format on the bar code scanner devices at each voting station in case there are disputes about the right of anyone to vote in that voting district. Your left thumb will be marked with visible indelible ink to make sure that you do not vote again in the 2014 elections. An official stamp is put on the back of your ballot papers. You have one ballot paper for the national elections and one ballot paper for the provincial elections. You go into the voting booth and make a cross for one party on each of the ballot papers. You can ask for help from a voting officer if you are not sure how to vote. You fold the ballot papers and put the national one into the national ballot box and the provincial one into the provincial ballot box. A voting officer will check to see that the ballot papers have the official stamps on the back before they are put into the boxes.
For more news and photos visit www.express-news.co.za
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL 2014
NEWS
Programme helps business
THE early-morning view from one of the chalets.
Win luxurious weekend THE luxurious chalets at the Basotho Cultural Village in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park imitates the style of an 18th-century Basotho village. Express and SANParks are running a competition in which one lucky reader who enters before 20:00 tonight stands a chance to win a weekend stay for a family of four at the village. All you need to do to win, is to visit the Express mobi-site (www.expresspaper.mobi), login and enter by answering an easy question. If you have not yet registered, now is your chance. To register, go to the mobi-site by opening your phone’s internet browser, type in www.expresspaper.mobi and enter. Follow the instructions to register. Directions on how to enter the competition will be on the site. The winners will be announced in next week’s edition. Photos: Christo van Staden
THE bathroom in one of the beautifully decorated chalets in the Basotho Cultural Village.
“SOUTH AFRICA belongs to all who live in it, black and white, and today I can confirm this,” said Zelda Rodgers from Vrede who is the owner of one of the small businesses that received equipment and tools to enhance their sustainability and profitability. A total of 37 businesses in the Phumelela Local Municipality were beneficiaries of the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the Free State’s programme of assisting surviving businesses to raise profits and create jobs. When he announced this project during his budget speech in March 2013 MEC Mosebenzi Zwane said they had over time observed the struggle of the surviving businesses on street corners and sidewalks. “These are people who we believe have their hearts in the right place but normally have nowhere to go for assistance. This new approach tells us we also have a responsibility when it comes to alternative liveli-
hood support to the indigent and unemployed,” said Zwane. The service delivery programme Jwale ke nako ya Kotulo has given hope to 1 000s of Free State businesses. To date more than 2 001 applications from small businesses in the Free State have been received. The applications are for catering, photography, media, security, cleaning services, sewing, knitting, carpentry, mechanics, shoe shining, refuse bin cleaning, music production, tuck shops, confectioneries and butcheries. The only criterion is that businesses should be existing, owners should be citizens of the Free State and they should have a potential to create more jobs. The Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs’s trade advisors travel the length and breadth of the Free State looking for deserving businesses and ensuring that they are registered on the data base to benefit.
PHILLIP NGOZO (Setsing Plaza centre manager), Portia Mbhele (sector commander: South African Police Service) and Mosala Mphana (Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson) at the launch of the CPF at the Setsing Plaza. Photo: Nkareng Moloi
Curbs crime at Setsing } Nkareng Moloi
THE Setsing Plaza and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Phuthaditjhaba recently launched the Community Policing Forum (CPF) in the Setsing Management Office. According to Portia Mbhele, the SAPS sector commander, the launch was aimed at bringing services to the people. “Our duty is to protect the community. The primary task of the CPF is to turn the Setsing Plaza into a crime-free zone. The forum comprises hawkers in the centre. The forum members will be identified so that criminals cannot pretend to be forum members,” she said. When asked where the CPF would be based and if there was a chance of them
reopening the satellite station to help people with cases and issues like affidavits and certification of documents, she said: “We are in the process of re-opening the SAPS satellite office. “We were told by the management of the centre that we might have the office in six months.” Phillip Ngozo, the Setsing Plaza centre manager, expressed his appreciation towards the initiative. “I am very happy with this initiative. This centre has become a crime hot spot. We have received numerous claims including shoplifting, pick-pocketing, rape, illegal gambling, assault and public drinking. Because the police are not visible, offenders are left to walk the streets freely,” said Ngozo.
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NEWS
Poet honours SA’s ruling party JANISM RATHEBE Bohlokong, Bethlehem MANY years ago back in 1912, the African National Congress (ANC) was born. Many years ago in Bloemfontein, a parliament of the people
emerged like a volcano. People unified in diversity for one destiny. Freedom loving South Africans with conviction why a black person can’t vote? Is a black person a candidate or an animal? ANC survivor of all times. ANC survivor of atrocities, survived bombing, torture and malice. Survived police brutality and murder, survived factionalism and patronage.
The movement of the people is celebrating 102 years of dedication and that is dedication to the struggle. ANC leader of society. Betrayal to the masses will lead to ambush when the leaders emerge to overcome your mission, you crush them like a caterpillar. ANC microcosm of the future. Tactics of law conspiracy moulder of great giants, colossi’s and great leaders of the world. We are not afraid of the opposition. We are not afraid to pledge our
support. We are not afraid to be in the forefront. Our country is now a better place, our movement a carrying. We are not afraid to lead. Movement of great leaders, Moses Mabhida, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Andrew Mlangeni, Nelson Mandela and others. Ancestors of the unsung heroes, Harry Gwala which cannot be quoted. I will vote for ANC, vote ANC to accelerate delivery. Our democracy matures with
time, honestly to the movement 20 years in democracy laud 300 years of slavery. Colonialism has taken other forms, never distort our people of their own liberators. We are the descendants shaped by the communities, leaders not born but produced by struggle, no myth can create better society my poetry will not personate, If I cannot salute you comrade who is reading this. Amandla
Service here better than the best FRIENDLY, efficient, professional service and excellent product knowledge. This is what you can expect when visiting Vodacom 4U in the Metropolitan Centre and the VodacomShop in the Dihlabeng Mall in Bethlehem. Better than the best service is the motto that every employee strives for and this is the main reason why countless people rely on the personnel of ten to help them with anything from taking out a new cellphone or data contract to
upgrading software. Vodacom 4U and the VodacomShop serve as pick-up points for their repair centre. Since the change from Multicell to Vodacom 4U in March 2004, Johan Jansen, owner, set the trend to be the first with shop upgrades and in the introduction of new services. One of the services that has been introduced, the first in the Free State, is the new TECHZONE where customers are assisted with free transfers of all phone data
and setting up email accounts. Depending on your phone model, on-the-spot software upgrades can be done. In September 2007, Vodacare was opened to ensure a complete service to the Eastern Free State community in terms of cellphone repairs. Two fully trained technicians are responsible for repairing cellphones as fast as possible. As an added service, the Vodacom Repair Centre has a free pick-up and delivery service.
This service is for their customers’ convenience. Should a person be unable to personally bring in or pick up his or her phone, they can simply give the centre a call and they will arrange with their courier service to pick up the device(s). According to Jansen the Vodacom Repair Centre is one of the first repair centres in Africa that can repair Blackberry and Apple (iPhone) devices to the manufacturer’s warranty standards. This includes Samsung, Sony Ericsson
and Nokia, all devices that Vodacom provided. “With a combined experience of 44 years, which is impressive if you keep in mind that cellphones haven’t be around for that long, Vodacom 4U and VodacomShop should be your first choice for all cellphone and data requirements.” Visit Vodacom 4U at the Metropolitan Centre, Bethlehem, or call 058-303-7255, the VodacomShop in the Dihlabeng Mall, Bethlehem, 058-303-0366, or the repair centre, 058-303-2006.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL 2014
NEWS THE Tiisetsang Secondary School Choir on stage during the municipal round of the South African Schools Choral Eistefodd (SASCE). Photo: Tladi Moloi
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Tiisetsang voices on top } Tladi Moloi
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THE Tiisetsang Secondary School Choir was the overall winner of the South African Schools Choral Eistefodd (SASCE) at municipal level in the Dihlabeng Municipality. The school from Bohlokong, Bethlehem, went unchallenged, winning the competition at the municipal stage in nine categories with the Ipokelleng Secondary School from Clarens coming second. This means these two schools have secured a licence to participate in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District finals where they will compete against other winners from munici-
palities from the provincial finals. The competitors will be from Maluti-a-Phofung, Dihlabeng, Setsoto, Nketoane and Phumelela. The district competitions are set to take place from 9 to 11 May at the Tshiya Resource Centre in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa. Morongwe Motaung, the Department of Education’s senior educational specialist for youth recreation, arts and culture in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District, said the competition was aimed at identifying new talent in schools. She said the competition was held annually and added that it started at municipal
level and continued to national level. “We had competitions in all the municipalities and winners will compete at district level,” she said. Other winners from the Dihlabeng Municipality who will compete in the finals are Bohlokong Primary, Impomelelo Primary and Thabang, all in the foundation phase. Matswathaka Intermediate is the only school that will represent the municipality in the intermediate phase. LK Nhlabathi, Bodikela and Khanyeng will compete in the senior phase division. ) Visit www.express-news.co.za to watch a video.
MaP plans to bring back show } Tladi Moloi BUSINESSPEOPLE who attended the Maluti-a-Phofung (MaP) Local Municipality’s dala dinner pledged R23 000 towards assisting the municipality in achieving its goal in hosting the eye-catching Dipontsho Show that was launched on Wednesday at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Qwaqwa. According to Gilbert Mokotso, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for Local Economic Development and Tourism, the event was aimed at launching the Dipontsho Show. He said they had seen it fit as the municipality to bring back Dipontsho for the locals. “We know that we used to have this kind of event in the 1980s.
“We want to bring it back so that our young people can learn from it. We’ll keep everyone entertained until the end,” he said. Azael Nhlapho, the acting executive mayor, said the municipality was happy to bring back Dipontsho and added that they would make sure that they made it a memorable annual event. He said they had, however, not chosen a name for it yet and invited the community to suggest a name for the event.
AZAEL NHLAPHO, the acting executive mayor of the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality.
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL 2014 7
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL 2014
‘The boys knew what was at stake. They fought against the best on the day. We have gained a lot from the tournament and we hope to take this performance to the league.’ – Leponesa Mokhontle
EASTERN FREE STATE
SuperSport FC takes all } Tladi Moloi SUPERSPORT FC are the champions of the inaugural Dihlabeng Easter Tournament. The championship trophy was bestowed on them after they narrowly defeated Papillion, a team from Fouriesburg, by 1-0 in the final that took place at the Bohlokong Stadium on Sunday afternoon. An early goal from Makgobalo Mokoena was enough to earn the Bethlehem side R4 000 in prize money and a trophy. They also received gold medals and soccer kit. Papillion was the better team in the second stanza, but could not penetrate the rock-solid SuperSport defence as they suffered an early goal setback. However, they went home with R2 500, silver medals and soccer kit for losing in the finals. The two teams advanced to
the final stage of the tournament after they had defeated Mighty Gunners and Mautse FC respectively. SuperSport hammered Gunners 4-1 while Papillion beat Mautse 2-0. The tournament started off with 68 teams from the Dihlabeng Local Municipality. They knocked one another out in until 16 teams were left. The 16 teams battled against each other to decide a winner of the three-day tournament. This tournament was held through the collaboration of the Free State Department of Sports, Art, Culture and Recreation; the Dihlabeng Local Municipality; the Dihlabeng Local Football Association; the Dihlabeng Sports Council and the Dihlabeng Netball Federation. Leponesa Mokhontle, the winning coach, said he was
happy with his team’s performance. He said the competition was very tight and that was why they found themselves battling towards the dying minutes of the game. “The boys knew what was at stake. They fought against the best on the day. We have gained a lot from the tournament and we hope to take this performance to the league,” he said. Pokane Pokane, the Papillion head coach, said a lapse in concentration in the early minutes of the game had cost them the game. He said they created more scoring opportunities after they had conceded a goal, but poor finishing let them down. “We have learnt that we should use the stadiums when preparing for this kind of tournament. “The boys played well, but I could see at one stage that
fatigue was catching up on them,” he said. Pokane has expressed praise for his young goal minder Bongani Ndaba (17), saying he had displayed a world-class performance. “He saved us on many occasions and believe you me, we would not have played in the finale if it ware not for him,” he said. Maseru Mphati, chairperson of the Dihlabeng Local Football Association, said he was happy that the young stars were kept busy during the Easter holidays and added that football was the winner at the end of the day. “We thank all the teams that took part in the tournament,” he said. ) The Dihlabeng Netball team was the winner of the netball division. They beat Soul Buddies by 35-4 in the finals.
CELEBRATION: SuperSport FC are the champions of the inaugural Dihlabeng Easter Tournament. Photo: Tladi Moloi