OFM News
OFM News, in touch with your world. Covering local and national news focusing on the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and the Vaal. See more: https://www.ofm.co.za/News
Feature: Kroonstad water situation reaches critical state
The water crisis in Kroonstad has reached a critical state. The town's water supplies are nearly depleted and the town’s water experts say it is only a matter of time until the taps run dry. Residents are complaining that the situation is so bad that they cannot use lavatories, cook…
Announcement about NC Health intervention expected today
Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas is expected to make an announcement later today about a high level intervention at the provincial Health Department. The department, along with the other provincial government departments, started the financial year with accruals amounting to R1 billion. DA MPL, Isak Fritz says the health department's…
Charges piling up against NW municipal manager
Charges are piling up against a North West municipal manager after he refused to attend a meeting of the provincial legislature where he was meant to account for irregular spending of about R300 million. Modisenyane Segapo, the accounting officer at Naledi Municipality, which includes Vryburg, refused to return to the…
World's biggest air race starts in Bethlehem
The world's biggest air race, the President's Trophy Air Race, gets underway at the Bethlehem Aero Club today. Chairman of the Bethlehem Aero Club, Philip Jacobs says the two day event is open to all class C1 aircraft. He says the race is run annually at the end of May…
Some concerns remain around Bio Bill
Provincial DA spokesperson on Tourism, Jacqueline Theologo, says although they have given approval for the Biodiversity Management Bill, they are concerned about aspects such as the bill’s regulations and the manner in which the species list is set out.
Milk goat farmers invited to participate in workshop
SA Milk Goat Breeders Association Cahirperson Donald Mouton speaks about a workshop in the Northrn Cape focused on providing farmers with information on how to be more profitable in milk goat operations.
Hundreds of SA firefighters to assist with Canadian wildfires
Hundreds of South African firefighters have answered the call from Canada to assist in battling wildfires in the province of Alberta. The fires, which have been raging for more than a month, have led to the mass evacuation of the town of Fort McMurray and the destruction of more than…
Urgent call to companies doing business with FS government
The Free State Treasury has made an urgent call to all companies doing business with the provincial government to register on the Central Database. Tshepo Mabilo, Chief Director Assets and Liability management, says companies' response has been very slow since the first call for companies to register. He says if…
Nog 'n Vrystaatse woonbuurt moet ondersoek word deur SAMRK
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Mensregtekommissie (SAMRK) het ná 'n driedagse besoek aan die Vrystaat nóg ‘n klag van inwoners wat sonder water en toilette moet klaarkom, ontvang. Die doel van die besoek was om 'n ter plaatse ondersoek te doen by ondermeer die Sibuyile Park-township in Bloemfontein, waar sowat 80 families die…
Restaurants, takeaways and coffee shops performed better in March 2016
The total income generated by the food and beverage industry has increased by 0.9 percent in March 2016 compared with March 2015. A Stats SA survey found that there was positive annual growth rates of 2.8 percent for bar sales, and 1.2 percent of food sales. Keshnee Govender says a…
Time running out for political parties to finalise candidate lists
Time is running out for political parties to finalise their candidate lists. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says these have to be submitted to the IEC by the end of business on June 2. Spokesperson, Kate Bapela, says the voters' roll has been officially closed after the promulgation…
Bewerings oor Parys vigilantemoorde bloot spekulasie
Die Valke sê bewerings dat verskeie boere verklarings by die polisie afgelê het dat 'n plaasaanval op ’n boer van Parys, wat tot die dood van twee mans gelei het, nooit gebeur het nie, is bloot spekulasie. Hangwani Mulaudzi se komentaar volg ná berigte dat die beserings wat Loedie van…
Businesses in Kroonstad suffering as a result of water crisis
Businesses in Kroonstad are suffering as a result of the water crisis currently gripping the city. The Bloemhoekdam, which supplies water to Kroonstad, is less than 1% full. The Moqhaka municipal manager is expected to meet with various roleplayers on Friday to discuss the issue, which it says is as…
Kroonstad-waterkrisis Vrydag tydens vergadering bespreek
Die munisipale bestuurder van die Moqhaka-munispaliteit en verskeie rolspelers vergader Vrydag om die waterkrisis in Kroonstad te bespreek. Die woordvoerder vir dié munispaliteit, Khojane Madiba sê hulle sal dan kommentaar lewer op die kwessie. Die Bloemhokdam, wat water aan Kroonstad verskaf, is nou minder as 1% vol. Inwoners in die…
Loans intended for distressed farmers
Land Bank CEO TP Nchocho says the concessional loan facility is intended to help those who got distressed as a consequence of drought effects.
Wool growers to share in motivational experience
National Wool Growers Association (NWGA) General Manager Leon de Beer says he is also looking forward to a speech by extreme athlete and motivational speaker, Kobus Oosthuizen, during next week’s NWGA Congress:
Brandfort’s Water Crisis Feature
Brandfort has been experiencing severe water problems for the past twenty years. In the last week, residents residing in high-lying areas comprising Mountain View, Phahameng, and Slovo Park have been hugely affected by the water crisis. The Masilonyana Municipality spokesperson, Zongezile Ntjwabule, says there will always be water problems in…
Spy tapes: 'NPA appeal a delaying tactic ahead of local government elections'
A political analyst has criticised the NPA's decision to not pursue corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma. Yesterday the National Prosecuting Authority announced that it would appeal a high court ruling in the so-called spy tapes saga. Last month the North Gauteng High Court ordered the NPA to review its…
Tourism income increases in March 2016
The total income for the tourism accommodation industry increased by 11.9 percent in March 2016 compared with the same period last year. A survey by Statistics South Africa found that the type of accommodation that showed the largest increase year-on-year were caravan parks and camping sites. Stats SA's Keshnee Govender…
Mafube municipal workers strike
Mafube municipal workers have downed tools over the non-payment of salaries. Workers were notified on Monday that they would not be paid on time. Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor in the municipality, Marchand du Plessis says at this stage office and essential staff, such as water purification staff, are still reporting…