âââ OLEBOGENG MOTSE 05:33 Mon, 03 May 2021
The manager of the Mantsopa Local Municipality in the Free State, Thamae Masejane, died from Covid-19 related complications this weekend.
Mantsopa Mayor, Mamsie Tsoene, announced via a statement released on Sunday 2 May, that at the time of his death, Masejane had been receiving treatment for the coronavirus at the Bethlehem Mediclinic. Mantsopa includes the towns of Ladybrand, Tweespruit, Excelsior and Hobhouse. The deceased was admitted to the Eastern Free State-based hospital on 12 April.
It is not known when Masejane tested positive for the virus, however, in mid-April the municipality announced via its social media platforms that he had been placed on sick leave, and said leave was extended to 31 May by the Mantsopa Council. The Director of Community Services, Tseli Lesoetsa, was acting as the Municipal Manager at the time of Masejaneâs death. The deceased reportedly joined Mantsopa in August 2017 on a five-y
âââ OLEBOGENG MOTSE 09:51 Sat, 10 Apr 2021
The legal division at the Mantsopa Local Municipality is yet to receive the preservation order granted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) seizing over R 900 000 at the centre of a money transfer error involving the Free State municipality.
Mantsopa spokesperson, Pule Lechesa, says without access to the court order, the municipality cannot comment on these developments. The incident and legal matter centres around a R 1, 5 million transaction that was intended for âWest Rand Consultingâ via their representative, Isaac Strauss, for services rendered in December 2020. West Randâs services included the compilation of Mantsopaâs financial statements and an asset register report for the 2019/2020 financial year. OFM Newsâ Olebogeng Motse reports the money never reached the intended bank accounts, landing up elsewhere instead.
âââ 14:18 Thu, 10 Dec 2020
Over a dozen protestors arrested in connection with violent service delivery protests in the Free State town of Ladybrand this week are appearing in the Local Magistrate s Court for their bail applications on Thursday 10 December 2020.
Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says fifteen Ladybrand residents have been arrested thus far since protests erupted on Tuesday and they will each face public violence charges and the contravention of the National Road Traffic Act.
PROTESTORS TAKE TO THE STREETS EIGHT DAYS AFTER PEACEFUL MARCH
The disgruntled residents in this town located roughly 20 kilometres from the Lesotho border â the Maseru bridge specifically â took to the streets this week demanding that the Mantsopa Local Municipality attend to service delivery and corruption concerns.