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
Hawks deny police members involved in Welkom heist
Five suspects that were arrested yesterday in connection with a foiled robbery near Welkom were not police officers. Hawks spokesperson, Hangwani Mulaudzi, says the suspects aged between 33 and 48 were arrested after the Hawks received information that an armed robbery was being planned in the area. He says two…
Meer kostebesparingsmaatreëls verwag tydens VS begrotingsrede
Vrystaatse LUR Elzabe Rockman gaan na verwagting vandag meer kostebesparingsmaatreëls tydens haar provinsiale begrotingsrede aankondig. Dit volg nadat die provinsiale tesourie reeds verlede jaar ‘n moratorium op die vul van nie-noodsaaklike vakante poste geplaas het. ‘n Proses vir die verifiëring van staatsamptenare is ook al in verskeie departemente begin om…
FS budget speech to be delivered today
Free State Finance MEC Elzabe Rockman will deliver her budget speech in the Free State Legislature today. Two of the province's biggest departments - those of health and education - are under financial administration and their financial woes led to a shortage of medication at clinics and hospitals and the…
Another chance to register to vote
If you weren't able to make it to a voting station this weekend to register to vote you still have a chance. The Independent Electoral Commission says you can register or update your address details at its offices. Electoral Officer Mawethu Mosery says they're open five days a week from…
FEATURE: Free State budget wishlist
Cathy Dlodlo and Christal-Lize Muller spoke to the different political parties to hear what they hope Rockman will prioritize and which departments should receive less, to give others more, in an effort to address the financial woes of the Free State provincial government.
Fanie Brunette – dairy quality
GrainCo manager of lucerne, Fanie Brunette, explains why they have introduced a new, higher, lucerne grade
Fanie Brunette – lucerne press
GrainCo manager of lucerne, Fanie Brunette, explains that they decided to go ahead with installing a multi-million Rand lucerne press after visiting America.
Two teens drown, another missing after school outing at Margate beach
Two teenage girls have drowned and a teenage boy is missing after a group of pupils on a school outing struggled in the surf at Margate Beach on Saturday evening. A group of Pietermaritzburg school pupils accompanied by teachers and their principal were at the beach on a school outing…
Second voter registration day starts
Hundreds of voter registration stations opened on time again in the Free State on Sunday for voters to check whether their details are correct or to register as a first time voter. Saturday’s voter registration process in the Free State went smoothly accept for a few hiccups, such as tents…
Tlokwe voters don’t know where to register
Part of the reason for the relatively poor turn out at registration points in Tlokwe yesterday, could be because residents don’t know in which wards they need to register. This is according to Ward 22 representative, Santie Brits. Registration in Tlokwe was mired by IEC officials allegedly arriving late, other…
Free State voter registration off to smooth start in FS
Voter registration for the 2016 municipal elections in the Free State started smoothly on Saturday morning despite a few hiccups. In Bloemfontein, most voter registration stations were ready at 8am. Some stations helped register up to 20 new voters within the first hour. At others the tents were erected late…
Matjhabeng municipality phone lines go down, service provider blamed
Residents of the Matjhabeng municipality, which includes Welkom, were unable to reach the municipality or emergency service this week as a result of faulty telephone lines. Municipal spokesperson, Khojane Matutle, blamed the service provider for the problem. Matutle says the phone lines are working against after talks with Telkom and…
'Reuse taak om vrye en regverdige verkiesing in Tlokwe te verseker'
'n Politieke ontleder sê die OVK staan voor ’n reuse taak om ’n vrye en regverdige verkiesing in Tlokwe, Noordwes te verseker. André Duvenhage se komentaar kom te midde van die kiesersregistrasie-naweek wat vandag en môre landwyd plaasvind. Die Grondwethof het onlangs die uitslae van die 2013 tussenverkiesings in Tlokwe…
New voting districts created in the Northern Cape
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Northern Cape says new voting districts have been created, following changes to some of the ward boundaries. IEC Provincial Electoral Officer in the Northern Cape, Bonolo Modise, says they are ready for this weekend's voter registration. Modise says they will be deploying three…
NWU says live ammunition used at Mafikeng campus during violent protests
The North West University (NWU) has confirmed allegations by students that live ammunition was used during clashes on its Mafikeng campus during a student protest last month. Management of the university said in a statement a case of attempted murder has been opened and is now being investigated by the…
Kieserregistrasie in Tlokwe ervaar probleme
Die registrasie van kiesers in Tlokwe, Noordwes, verloop glo nie so glad soos verwag nie. Volgens DA-raadslid, Hans-Jurie Moolman, is daar onder meer punte waar beamptes van die Onafhanklike Verkiesingskommissie laat opgedaag het, nie opgelei is nie, en waar die toestelle wat gebuik word om ID-dokumente te skandeer en sodoende…
Kagiso Shanduka Trust feature
Today OFM Journalist, Mark Steenbok look into the subject of ‘Progressed Learners’ and how the Trust is making a difference in dealing with the flaws in our education system.
Black-clad students recount Shimla Park experience
Nearly 100 black-clad students from the University of the Free State returned to Shimla Park this morning, to recount their experiences of last week's racial violence on campus.
Jannie de Villiers – GSA Congress
Grain SA CEO Jannie de Villiers says the highlight for him at congress is that despite the tough times, grain farmers are not taking it lying down.
Marlise Joubert – honeybush tea
Agricultural Research Council researcher Marlise Joubert talks about the flavour variation between different species of honeybush.