Central News Issue 001 “Ngwathe Mayor Fails to fulfil her water supply promises”

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FREE STATE | NORTH WEST | GAUTENG
FRIDAY
21 APR 2023 | WEEKLY
www.centralnews.co.za | newsroom@centralnews.co.za | WhatsApp 081 495 5487
NEWS
One suspect
arrested during
armed robbery
North West police have arrested
one suspect at the incident of armed
robbery at Tshepong hospital in
Klerksdorp.
BUSINESS
SA reaches R1.2
trillion investment
target
While the target of reaching R1.2 trillion
worth of investments has been
successfully reached at the fifth South
African Investment Conference
(SAIC)
Ngwathe Mayor fails to fulfil
her water supply promises
Tumahole residents in Parys are subjected to
inhumane conditions and affected by water
outages.
STORY PAGE 2
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02 News | 21 April 2023
MISSING
Police looking
for missing
woman (33)
NAMAHADI – Police in Namahadi are
looking for Mookgo Felli Ramateletse
(33) of Boiketlo Village in Qwaqwa who
has been missing since 10 April 2023.
It is reported that the woman last spoke
to her husband telephonically however,
when he arrived home she was not there.
Anyone with information on her
whereabouts is urged to contact
Namahadi police at 082 567 5243 or
082 419 6794 or Crime Stop on 08600
10111 or submit information through the
MySAPS App
Ngwathe Mayor fails to fulfil
her water supply promises
By Thys Khiba
Residents of Tumahole township in
Parys are subjected to inhumane
conditions and affected by water
outages.
This comes after residents told Central
News that months after promises were
made by the executive mayor Victoria de
Beer-Mthombeni, they are still waiting to
have water running from their taps.
Earlier this year, angry residents went
on rampage and torched the house of the
mayor’s mother and parts of the Ngwathe
municipal in a service delivery protest.
The affected mayor, De Beer-Mthombeni
alleged that the burning of the house was
politically motivated.
At least 11 people were arrested and
appeared in the Parys Magistrate’s Court
on 18 January on a charge of public
violence in connection with the protest.
On Tuesday, residents of Ward 11 indicated
that they wake up every morning to get
unsafe water from underground pipes.
“It is possible that this water contains
harmful germs, parasites, toxic chemicals.
“But we don’t have a choice, my brother…
we are subjected to these conditions,” said
angry resident.
Meanwhile, some residents shared
concerns in relation to the impact of lack
of water supply in the schools.
“It is easier for a girl child to get infection
at school due to toilets that are not
flushing.”
It is alleged that the municipal has a
disused water-purification plant.
Filters are not working at the two of the
three water plants, while the third – meant
to produce 10-million litres a day – had
been decommissioned.
In February, De Beer-Mthombeni
informed the residents the department
of sanitation had promised to help the
municipality to ensure residents were able
to get water.
“The department of water affairs and the
Treasury have committed to finalising
the process of approving and availing
emergency procurement and funds to
deal with the matter so that we can fix the
clarifiers and filters (at the water plant,”
said De Beer-Mthombeni.
In response to our media inquiry,
municipal spokesperson Steven Naale
said the executive mayor hasn’t failed
to fulfil her promises to the residents of
Parys.
One suspect arrested during armed
robbery at Tshepong hospital
By Thys Khiba
North West police have arrested one
suspect at the incident of armed
robbery at Tshepong hospital in
Klerksdorp.
The arrested suspect was found in
possession of the phones of the doctors
and personal belongings.
This comes after four armed robbery gang
robbed and attacked hospital doctors and
staff members at Tshepong hospital.
The MEC for Health in the province
Madoda Sambatha, who was at the
hospital for another event, has condemned
the incident of robbery that took place
earlier at the hospital.
Sambatha who visited the hospital for
a Smile Week event launch received a
briefing of the incident on arrival.
Sambatha demanded answers from the
security company and demanded an
explanation of how these men were able
to pass through the security gates with
guns.
“It is alleged that doctors at the hospital
where having their normal early briefings
when four armed men entered a boardroom
they were in, pointed them with guns and
demanded their phones, money and any
valuable possession,” said departmental
“No the Executive Mayor hasn’t failed,
instead funding has been sourced for
Refurbishment of plant.
“The Executive Mayor and the collective
remain committed to improving service
delivery in the municipality,” said Naale.
Naale indicated that the water-purification
plant is functioning and affected by power
cuts.
“Yes, the plant is functioning, not to its
optimum and the load shedding causes
delays in terms of water production and
distribution hence consideration for
alternative energy supply.
“Yes two filters were fixed, the remain
filters are awaiting advertisement process
which is already ongoing,” Naale said.
He indicated that the municipality
developed a business plan for putting and
commissioning ‘boreholes which will be
connected to the network around areas
were schools and clinics are situated with
the intention of boosting water supply.’
spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane.
In a statement, Lekgethwane indicated
the security company said all people who
enter the hospital premises are checked
but they 'failed to explain how the
men entered the facility with
guns.’
The department indicated affected doctors
will receive counselling services.
“Matlosana is known to be having a high
rate of gangsterism and health facilities
are often confronted with such incidents.
“For this reason, MEC Sambatha has
called on the law enforcement agencies
to help stamp out gangsterism in the area
and ensure the safety of health facilities.”
Police are investigating the incident and
more suspects are expected to be arrested.

21 April 2023 |
News 03
Minister
appoints
interim
board at
SAA
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin
Gordhan has announced the
appointment of an interim board
of directors for national carrier, South
African Airways (SAA).
Former Tourism Minister Derek
Hannekom has been appointed as interim
non-executive director and chairperson of
the carrier.
Professor John Lamola – who was the
air carrier’s chairperson – will remain
as an interim non-executive director and
will continue as interim Chief Executive
Officer.
The Minister made the announcement
of the appointments in a statement on
Monday.
Joining the two on the board are:
Fathima Gany
Fundi Sithebe
Mahlubi Mazwi
Advocate Johannes Weapond
Clarissa Appana
Dumisani Sangweni
Gordhan said the appointment of the board
underscores government’s unwavering
commitment to the success and stability
of the airline.
“Their exceptional experience and
expertise will guide the airline toward a
prosperous future in collaboration with
the Takatso Consortium.
“We recognise the challenges SAA has
faced in the past and the importance
of learning from those experiences to
ensure the airline’s future success. The
government is resolute in demonstrating
our dedication to restructuring SAA and
revitalising state owned enterprises, as part
of our broader commitment to promoting
economic growth and development.
“To support SAA in achieving its goals,
we have put in place strategies and plans
that align with the airline’s vision and
objectives,” Gordhan said.
The Department of Public Enterprises
explained that the appointments mark “a
significant step forward in the national
carrier’s ongoing transformation” and
they will serve until “the introduction
of the Strategic Equity Partner, Takatso
Consortium”.
The primary focus areas of the Interim
Board encompass providing strategic
leadership to the transitional management
team and overseeing the integration of
the Strategic Equity Partner, Takatso
Consortium. The Consortium is poised
to acquire a 51% majority stake in SAA,
with the transaction presently undergoing
regulatory review.
“The Interim Board remains dedicated
to tackling key priorities, including
implementing cost-saving measures,
expanding route networks, elevating
customer satisfaction, and expediting
all requisite regulatory preparations
to ensure a seamless transition as the
Takatso Consortium assumes its role as
the majority shareholder,” the department
said.
More than 1000 suspects
arrested in Gauteng
By Thys Khiba
Gauteng police, through O Kae
Molao operation, have arrested
over 1 800 suspects in five
districts in the province this weekend.
“The operations are conducted
simultaneously every weekend
throughoutthe five districts in the province.
This weekend the operation saw over
1,800 suspects being arrested for different
crimes,” said Gauteng police spokesperson
Colonel Dimakatso
Nevhuhulwi.
Nevhuhulwi indicated police managed to
arrest 822 suspects wanted for committing
serious offences such as murder, attempted
murder, rape, assault with intent to cause
grievous bodily harm, sexual offences and
armed robbery amongst others.
“
Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Crime
Detection, Major General Mbuso
other districts also
conducted different
crime prevention
operations within their
policing precincts
Khumalo formed part of the police
officials who closed nine illegal liquor
outlets and owners were given fines on 15
April.
While drugs such as crystal meth, tik and
mandrax tablets were seized and suspects
were arrested for contravening the
Immigration Act and committing various
crimes.
“The District Commissioners in four
other districts also conducted different
crime prevention operations within their
policing precincts in ensuring that the
inhabitants of this province are and feel
safe.”
The public is urged to continue working
together with police in the fight against
crime to report any criminal activities on
the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111 or
anonymously leave tip-offs on MySAPS
App which can be downloaded on any
smartphone.

04 Politics | 21 April 2023
Former Mafube
Acting Municipal
Manager charged
for corruption
Free State former Acting Municipal
Manager of Mafube Local
Municipality, Nkabi Andrew
Hlubi is released on R3000 bail and the
matter was postponed to 3 May 2023 for
further investigation.
This comes after Hlubi appeared at the
Bethlehem Specialised Commercial
Crimes Court on Monday, 17 April 2023
for charges of corruption and fraud.
The 45-year-old man was arrested
by the Hawks; Serious Corruption
Investigation team based in Bethlehem
on Monday morning.
“It is alleged that in February 2017,
Hlubi verbally instructed the former
chief financial officer not to bank the
daily cash received at the municipality
but rather utilize it on daily municipal
operations.
“The former CFO requested Hlubi
to issue the instruction in writing but
he refused and said that he will take a
countability should a query arise from
the auditors. A total amount of R116 000
was queried and could not be accounted
for,” said Hawks spokesperson Warrant
Officer Fikiswa Matoti.
Mangaung council - ANC in court to
interdict voting powers of its councillors
By Thys Khiba
The African National Congress
(ANC) in the Free State has filed
an urgent interdict to stop seven
expelled ANC councillors from attending
and participating in the Mangaung
Metropolitan Municipality special council
meeting on Friday.
The High Court of South Africa Free State
Division in Bloemfontein Judge Ilse van
Rhyn has ruled in favour of the ANC on
the matter.
Judge Van Rhyn ruled that the expelled
councillors are banned from attending
the special council meeting scheduled for
Friday, 14 April.
“The respondents are interdicted and
restrained from in any way further
acting as Councillors of the Mangaung
Metropolitan Municipality.
“The Respondents are further interdicted
and restrained from performing any
associated function germane and/or
related to the holding of a position of a
Councillor of the Mangaung Metropolitan
Municipality.”
The expelled councillors, namely
Lehlohonolo Moqolo, Patrick
Monyakoana, Makoa Cristophel Lelala,
Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane, Chabeli
Frank Rampai, Puseletso Leticia Seleke,
Mpho Mokoakoa have been ordered by
the court to pay the costs of the ANC’s
urgent application on the scale as between
attorney and client.
In reaction to the court judgement, the
ANC Provincial Secretary, Comrade
Polediso Motsoeneng has welcomed the
findings and orders of the Bloemfontein
High Court.
“The ANC is pleased that the honourable
court agreed with our arguments which
interdicted the participation of former
Councillors who were expelled as public
representatives on the ticket of the ANC,”
said Motsoeneng.
Motsoeneng indicated that the expelled
councillors deliberately ignored the
sanction and ‘proceeded to purport to
represent’ the party in the council sitting
that was scheduled for today.
The party indicated that it has finalised
the process to identify and appoint 3
councillors who will step in as Proportional
Representation (PR) Councillors, pending
the finalization of the processes of the
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
“The ANC is also ready to contest byelections
in all the 4 wards where vacancies
have occurred as a result of the decisions
taken against these affected councillors,”
Motsoeneng said.
At least 52 councillors including the
expelled ANC councillors Mothibi-
Nkoane and Monyakoana voted for the
Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats
(AASD) Papi Mokoena to be elected as
the new executive mayor of the City of
Mangaung.
“The ANC has noted that the Speaker of
Mangaung, Councillor Maryke Davies,
has, with a degree of inordinate amount
of desperation, and with full knowledge,
presided over a meeting where people
who were barred from participating in
a meeting, to justify the legitimacy of
ensuring that a quorum is achieved for the
meeting to proceed.
“Further legal challenge will be pursued
by the ANC to ensure that justice is
preserved. It is unfortunate that the ANC
would further institute criminal charges
against the Speaker, together with these
expelled Councillors who blatantly
ignored a court order that was timeously
served before the proceedings of that
Council,” said Motsoeneng.
ANC Thabo Mofutsanyana
elects new leadership
The African National Congress
(ANC) in Thabo Mofutsanyana
has electednew leadership on
Sunday , 16 April 2023.
The 7th Regional Conference took place
from 15 to 16 April 2023 at Eden Farm in
Bethlehem.
Thabo Mokoena has been elected as
Regional Chairperson defeating Malefu
Vilakazi with 120 votes to 93.
The 7th Regional Conference has elected
the following officials:
Chairperson:
Thabo Mokoena- 120
Malefu Vilakazi- 93
Deputy Chairperson:
Connie Msibi 118
Mbiwe Seipati-93
Regional Secretary:
Jeff Mohapi-119
Phakiso Mokoena-94
Deputy Regional Secretary:
Mofokeng Phoka-117
Sylvia Visagie-95
Regional Treasurer:
Malekula Melato- 115
Mokoena Maditswako 96

21 April 2023 |
SA reaches
R1.2 trillion
investment
target
While the target of reaching R1.2
trillion worth of investments
has been successfully reached
at the fifth South African Investment
Conference (SAIC), currently underway,
President Cyril Ramaphosa this morning
set a new target for the country for the
next five years.
“We are now setting a new target to
mobilise approximately R2 trillion in new
investments over another five-year period,
between now and 2028,” the President
told delegates and investors gathered at
the Sandton Convention Centre.
“With the achievement of our R1.2 trillion
target today, we now cast our collective
eyes to the horizon. With your support,
with your investment, we can realise more
growth, offer more opportunities and
create even more jobs. As we work with
dedication and focus to overcome our
immediate challenges, let us not lose sight
of the incredible promise of our country,
South Africa,” the President said.
O PINION
Tell my people that I love them. They
must continue the fight.’ Today marks
exactly 44 years since his execution
in Pretoria, April the 6th which was
deliberately chosen to coincide with the
Anniversary of the arrival of Jan Van
Riebeek in the Cape 1652.
Comrade Solomon was brave and pain
and the brutality He faced in the jail
made him not only brave but also fuelled
his anger against the then
regime in his words urging they must
continue to fight He showed strength
and hope for a better future where blacks
will freed, where blacks will enjoy equal
rights and their dignity be restored.
Comrade Solomon wanted a free South
Africa fought for a free South Africa
but never lived to enjoy the fruits of the
freedom.
We are the people if not the decedents of
“My people” Comrade Solomon spoke
of when He said “Tell my people I love
them” Hi blood indeed
nourished the fruits of freedom that we
are today enjoying 44 years after his
death, we will be failing in our duty as
young revolutionaries
if we do not take this moment and salute
Comrade Solomon Mahlangu, a man who
stood firm against apartheid brutality and
torture, a man who never changed his
views and beliefs for a free South Africa
nor sold his own organization even when
he was facing death.
I write this piece today in his honour
because we are inspired by his bravery,
loyalty and conscious he compromised as
his youth, He could have chosen to stay in
exile and never return to South Africa, He
We remain convinced that South Africa is
an investment destination with significant
untapped potential. We do believe that by
leveraging our unique value proposition,
we have the ability to attract higher levels
of investment. In the midst of all the
challenges we face, our ambition has not
been misplaced. We do believe that the
target we set in 2018 was not misplaced
either. The four South African Investment
Conferences that have taken place to date
have attracted R1.14 trillion in investment
pledges.”
And today the 2018 target of R1.2 trillion
has been reached.
Progress made
Ahead of the 2018 target being reached
today, President Ramaphosa said: “We
expect that the investment announcements
made here today will take this total beyond
the target that we set five years ago. While
investment decisions often take several
years to reach fruition, the investment
commitments made to date have already
resulted in substantial investment in the
productive economy.”
Almost 70% of the total number of
had an opportunity to live in exile a better
life, He could have changed his identity
forever and forget about apartheid South
Africa but instead Mahlangu, Masuku,
Temba Nkosi and Richard Chauke all left
South Africa via Mozambique and spent
six months at Xai Xai refugee camp. Later
they were rescued and transported to an
ANC training facility, called Engineering,
in Angola.
Mahlangu was reassigned to various cells
within the training camp but he eventually
joined a smaller unit of 10 men under Julius
Mokoena, who reported to the commander
in chief, Joe Modise. Amongst the 10 were
George ‘Lucky’ Mahlangu and Mondy
Motloung. The unit was trained at Funda
Camp; they underwent crash courses in
sabotage, military combat, scouting and
political education.
Today Comrade Mahlangu could have
been 67 yearsold, and probably he would
be leading the African National Congress
and perhaps the ANC would not be the
way it is today, perhaps we wouldn’t
have our movement been infiltrated and
populated by thugs, criminals, corrupt
power mongers who mascaraed as cadres
and revolutionaries but have no love nor
respect for our people. Comrade Solomon
Mahlangu would have stood firm against
black on black violence, political killings,
corruption, and most importantly I think
He would have fought better to ensure that
the ANC completes its second transition
for economic freedom in our life time.
Today we remember you comrade
Solomon because as young people we are
on our own and those who tried to wage
a struggle for young people were silenced
projects announced since 2018 are either
completed or on their way to completion.
The President told delegates that
their presence and participation at the
conference is a clear demonstration that
South Africa continues to be an attractive
investment destination despite a strained
domestic and global economic climate.
To date, approximately R460 billion of
capital has been invested in building
new factories, purchasing equipment,
constructing roads, sinking mine shafts
and rolling out broadband infrastructure.
“What really stands out is the impact of
these investments on the lives of South
Africans who are now able to earn a
decent living and care for their families.
As we create sustainable jobs we are
working to tackle poverty and inequality.
“Beyond the pledges made inside this
conference hall, I have been encouraged
by the investments that are happening
in our economy and those that are being
facilitated via InvestSA, our investment
envoys, our diplomatic missions in
various countries and our government
departments, especially the Department
harshly, killed, isolated and some were
expelled from the people’s organization,
as we remember you comrade Solomon
we want to
draw strength not give up on the ANC
but most importantly we want to draw
strength to be loyal to the people and
to our organization, we want to draw
strength to be brave and selfless as you
were.
Continue to rest but may your soul and
spirit continue to live on and on, comrade
Solomon please tell Oliver Tambo, Chris
Hani, Albert Luthuli, Walter Sisulu,
Nelson Mandela, and many others who
left before you that our ANC is no longer
the same, our people are suffering in the
hands of the liberation movement, our
leaders are richer than the ANC itself
and our people are getting poorer and
poorer, Comrade Solomon the ideals our
forefathers died fighting for today have
been forgotten the ANC share table today
with our former oppressors and ANC
listens to the oppressors more than it
listens to its own people…
Comrade Solomon they took oath that
ANC that and declare that they will
abide by the aims and objectives of the
African National Congress as set out in
the Constitution, the Freedom Charter
and other duly adopted policy positions,
that they are joining the Organisation
voluntarily and without motives of
material advantage or personal gain, that
they agree to respect the Constitution
and the structures and to work as a
loyal member of the Organisation, that
they will place their energies and skills
at the disposal of the Organisation and
Business 05
of Trade, Industry and Competition.”
In addition, international companies are
expanding their footprint in the country.
The President emphasised that it has been a
core conviction of the sixth administration
that in order to create jobs, it must drive
growth, and that fundamental economic
reforms must be implemented.
The fifth SAIC affirms local and
international investor confidence in the
structural reforms to improve the business
environment.
The energy sector remains a priority
Turning his attention to the country’s
energy challenges, the President said
that a lack of reliability in electricity
supply weakens business and consumer
confidence. This as it taints international
perceptions about the country and affects
investment sentiment and decisions.
Last July President Ramaphosa announced
an Energy Action Plan with the view to
address the energy challenge. The plan
presents a clear path toreduce the severity
and frequency of load shedding in the
short term and achieve energy security in
the long term.
The past is filled with pain, the present with
opportunity and the future with uncertainty
carry out tasks given to me, that theywill
work towards making the ANC an even
more effective instrument of liberation
in the hands of the people, and that they
will defend the unity and integrity of
the Organisation and its principles, and
combat any tendency towards disruption
and factionalism”
In the history of the ANC factionalism
has never been this rife, unless the history
books misled us the ANC leaders has
never hated on each other this way, some
argues that it’s because the ANC never
was exposed to much resources, but fact
remains that the ANC has never been this
far from our people even beyond 1994
the ANC has never been rejected by the
people they way it is now.
The ANC that enjoyed the support of our
people in 1994 , with more than 2 000
branches, 8 000 local councillors, 117
constituency offices, 98 regional offices
and several hundreds of ANC MP’s and
MPL’s. Many of these are full-time,
political cadres. The ANC that enjoyed
support of workers more than 20,000
COSATU shop-stewards – again, SACP,
SANCO and other MDM with thousands
of supporters and members Comrade
Solomon at least you knew that one day
Yourblood will nourish the tree that will
bear the fruits of freedom Today we stand
with uncertainty, we do not know what
the future holds for us.
By Thabo Mofokeng
Former NEC COSAS & SASCO
Former Regional Spokesperson ANCYL
Mangaung
Branch treasurer of the ANC
Ward 19

06 Classifieds | 21 April 2023
cnclassifieds
DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET VOTES 2023
Media Invitation
–
Dates Department Time Venue
•
•
•
•

21 April 2023 |
Jesus speaks about Arsenal performance
before facing Manchester City
By Thys Khiba
Arsenal football star Gabriel
Jesus has provided an honest
assessment of his team’s
performance following their 2-2 draw
with West Ham on Sunday.
Jesus believes that the Gunners deserved
to get three points against the Hammers.
“Once again, three points were in
our hands. Obviously the game is 90
minutes, it’s not 20, in this case, today,
30 minutes.
“As a team, we have to raise the level
and come back to our principles. We
know our strength, we know what we
can do,” said Jesus.
The Brazilian football player believes
that they did good in the first 10 to 20
minutes of the match.
He doesn’t believe that is the right
attitude and willingness if you want to
fight for the title. “It started from like
5 to 10 minutes before the penalty,
because exactly after we scored the second
goal we stopped.
“As a team, it’s no time to blame, as a
team we have to raise the level again and
come back to our principles and like I said
win the games, that’s the only way we can
arrive next month and then fight for the
title again.”
As a former Manchester City player, Jesus
indicated that they want to extend their
lead at the top of the Premier League table
with victory over West Ham.
West Ham gave Manchester City an
advantage and managed to stop Arsenal
from adding more points.
His manager Mikel Arteta hoped for a
favour from Leicester City as they faced
Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
But Pep Guardiola’s managed to walk
away with three points against Leicester.
Following their game with Southampton
on Friday, Arsenal will be welcomed
by Man City to the Etihad Stadium on
Wednesday, 26 April.
Jesus will be used to play
a key role in the run
to score against his
former team,
City. The
Brazilian has
scored more
than three
goals in his
last three games
after returning from a knee injury.
Jesus joined the Gunners from
Etihad in the summer – alongside
Oleksandr Zincheko – and has
proved to be a worthy piece of
business.
His goals could be the
difference in the Gunners
winning their first league title
in 19 years.
The 26-year-old said “I have
experience when Palmeiras was
without winning the league for
20 years, here is quite the same.”
07
editorial
Thabo Bester exposes SA government’s weaknesses
By Thys Khiba
Murder and rapist Thabo Bester
and his partner Dr Nandipha
Magudumana have exposed
weaknesses and gaps in the South African
Police Service (SAPS), the Department of
Correctional Services (DCS), the Judicial
Inspectorate of Correctional Services
(Jics), the Department of Home Affairs
and G4S company.
Ordinary and extraordinary South African
citizens were supposed to be informed
about the 18 October 2022 meeting of
SAPS, DCS, and Jics.
On 18 October 2022, police told the
Department of Correctional Services
(DCS) and the Judicial Inspectorate of
Correctional Services (Jics) that Bester
escaped from Mangaung Correctional
Centre (MCC), on 3 May 2022.
The government departments failed to act
after knowing that Bester escaped from
the MCC as early as October 2022.
It is revealed in the documents given
to the Parliamentary Committee on
Correctional Services on Wednesday by
G4S, DCS, SAPS and Jics that Minister
Ronald Lamola knew of Bester escape.
On 29 April 2022: A vehicle was driven
into the facility without a gate pass.
On 30 April 2022: Bester was transferred
to a single cell, after he applied to do so
for his own safety. The application has
been approved by G4S.
On 3 May 2022: Thabo Bester is reported
dead after a fire breaks out his cell. It was
reported by G4S and DCS as a suicide.
On the next day, a post-mortem was
conducted on the body found in the cell,
revealing that the person was dead before
the fire broke out.
In what appears as Netflix show, on 5
May 2022: Jics starts investigating the
unnatural death of Thabo Bester.
0n 6 May 2022: Dr Magudumana collects
the body from Free State morgue and
transports it to a Soweto mortuary.
Police started to investigate murder after
receiving the autopsy report.
Between 13 May 2022 and 19 May 2022,
SAPS and Magudumana went to court for
the body that was confiscated by police
from Magudumana’s custody.
She approached the Pretoria high court
asking for the body to be returned to
her. Magudumana claimed to be Bester’s
customary law wife.
The Inspecting Judge for Correctional
Services, Justice Edwin Cameron wrote to
the DCS Minister Ronald Lamola:
“There are indications that, with the
collusion of G4S employees and others,
a fire was staged in the single cell of one
Thabo Bester (the notoriously named socalled
‘Facebook rapist’) and a corpse was
smuggled into the cell with the objective
of faking inmate Bester’s death and
facilitating his escape.”
On Wednesday, a multinational security
company, G4S told Parliament that the
prison’s records shows that Bester visited
an outside specialist five times in 2015 and
once in 2016.
This comes after it was alleged that
Bester visited Dr Magudumana at the
Bloemfontein hotel.
It is reported that the couple allegedly spent
more than R120 000 on hotel bookings.
He often required mental health treatment
and prisoners would occasionally have
to go to an external hospital for such
treatment.
The police were informed of an invoice
for a luxury hotel in Bloemfontein over a
week ago.
From 25 May 2022 to 11 August 2022,
police investigating officer made a
sworn statement to indicate suspicious
circumstances surrounding the fire.
The G4S provided SAPS with information
including CCTV footage, visit records,
and other details. Police conducted DNA
analysis, comparing the body found in the
cell to Bester’s mother. The DNA did not
match.
A sample of Thabo Bester’s actual DNA
could not be found in the SAPS DNA
database.
On 10 August 2022: Police provides
copies of the autopsy report and DNA
tests to Jics. Jics finalises its preliminary
report.
On 11 August 2022: Based on the findings
of the report, Jics prepares an office note,
recording that Bester did not die in his
cell.
On 15 August 2022, G4S told Jics that
crucial video evidence is missing.
Police failed to arrest an official named
Senohe Matsoara after an intimate wrote
to the Free State high court, alleging that
Bester escaped from prison with his (an
official) help.
The mentioned former G4S official
appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s
Court on 11 April 2023.
On 18 October 2022: A crucial meeting
takes place between Jics, DCS and SAPS.
Police indicates that there is reason to
believe Bester faked his death and escaped.
DCS does not hand over its report. SAPS
asks Jics to help it get the support of the
Hawks.
GroundUp published on 8 November
2022, article tilted “Many mysteries
surround the death of ‘Facebook rapist’
Thabo Bester.”
It is only on 25 March, DCS confirmed
to the public that Bester escaped from
prison.
While Minister Bheki Cele failed to arrest
Bester while in the country, Tanzanian
authorities arrested him and his partner Dr
Magudumana on 7 April 2023.
The embarrassing arrest came after 11
months of his escape. As someone was
sleeping on his job, it appears that efforts
to arrest Bester only started on 24 March
after details of Bester’s escape were
uncovered by GroundUp.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister
Dr Aaron Motsoaledi confirmed the
department did not receive any information
to suggest that Bester and Magudumana
had crossed any border legally.
Motsoaledi indicated that Bester was
never officially documented as a South
African citizen with Home Affairs.
Motsoaledi suggested that Bester’s
mother, Maria Mabaso was never able to
register Bester after giving birth to him at
the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on
13 June 1986.
Instead of taking responsibility,
Motsoaledi assumed that Bester was
advised not to register with Home Affairs
by criminals.
“I think he fell into the hands of criminals
who are known to use young kids, whose
fingerprints do not exist in home affairs,
because your fingerprints only starts
existing on our system when you are 16.
My thinking is, somebody warned him
‘Don’t go anywhere near Home Affairs.
Wherever you steal, your fingerprints will
not be found,” said Motsoaledi.

08 Sports | 21 April 2023
sports
Jesus speaks about
Arsenal performance
before facing
Manchester City
The Nedbank
Cup semi-final
draw has been
made
Nedbank has
partnered with
renowned coach
and football legend
Pitso Mosimane
The Nedbank Cup is South Africa’s
leading football competition and
sees amateur clubs playing against
top professionals, providing them with the
opportunity to prove they can rise to the
challenge and conquer the elite clubs. This
season, amateur club Dondol Stars did just
that as they knocked out two league teams
on their way to making history, reaching
the quarterfinals of the competition.
This season, tournament sponsor Nedbank
has partnered with renowned coach and
football legend Pitso Mosimane; former
players Stanton Fredericks, Teko Modise
and Daine Klate; as well as footballer
Siphiwe Tshabalala to share their stories to
inspire South Africans to make decisions
that will benefit their futures.
Nedbank has some exciting activities
planned for the semifinals, where football
fans will get the opportunity to engage
with tournament ambassadors in the lead-
“
up to match days. The semi-final Nedbank
Cup draw has thrown up a Soweto Derby
after Kaizer Chiefs were pitted against
Orlando Pirates.
The draw took place at Chatsworth
Stadium in Durban shortly after Chiefs’
2-1 win over Royal AM in their quarterfinal
clash.
On Saturday, Pirates booked their place
in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon
after a dramatic penalty shootout win over
First Division campaigners Dondol Stars.
Sekhukhune United was drawn against
Stellenbosch FC in the other semi-final
clash. Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune are
both making their debut appearances in
the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
Edgar Legoale Foundation
fights against drugs
The Edgar Legoale Foundation hosted
a four-day 2023 Easter Knockout
Soccer Tournament to fight against
drugs abuse by young people around the
Fezile Dabi District Municipality in the
Free State.
Amongst other things that the foundation
wanted to prioritise is to prioritise football
development in the region.
“Soccer development remains our top
priority as Edgar LegoaleFoundation.
“It makes happy to see these young ones
excited and always looking forward to
participating in our tournament because
it’s the only big local platform where there
are able to showcase their talent. Soccer is
everything,” said ELF chairperson Edgar
Legoale.
The tournament which was attended and
supported by the Ngwathe executive mayor
and ANC Fezile Dabi regional chairperson
Victoria De Beer – Mthombeni, Finance
MEC Gadija Brown and CoGTA MEC
Toto Makume took place at Mandela
Sports ground near Boitlamo Secondary
School in Tumahole, Parys.
The tournament started with 16 football
teams from the Free State and outside of
the province, competing for the 1st Prize
(R40 000.00), 2nd Prize (R10 000.00)
and 3rd Prize (R5 000.00).
Results:
– 1st Position winners are Orlando FC
from KwaZulu Natal province.
– 2nd Position winners are Majestic FC
from Gauteng province.
– 3rd Position winners are Uhuru FC
from Free State province.
“In attendance, we want to thank all
the people from all walks of life, 0and
every corner of the country, and mostly
we would like to thank in attendance the
presence showed by Government leaders
our Ngwathe Local Municipality Mayor
Hon. Victoria De Beer – Mthombeni,
MEC of FS Treasury Hon. Gadija Brown
and CoGTA FS MEC Hon. Toto Makume
for blessing our tournament.
“We would like to say, it should not end by
Edgar Legoale Easter Soccer Tournament
but stretch their arms to all those who are
seeking to develop the young people in any
way possible in actually trying to curb the
spread of drug and alcohol abuse within
the province,” said ELF spokesperson
Babiky De Wet.
Meanwhile, the tournament was also
utilised to promote and boost the local
economy of Tumahole township.
“Small Business owners, thank you for
making sure our thirst is quenched, and our
hunger is solved through your delicious
meals and drinks,” said De Wet.