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
Kouga Municipality opens a case of arson after fire in St Francis Bay area
Two helicopters were in the air this morning helping weary firefighters battle a blaze that has been raging near St Francis Bay since Saturday. The Kouga Municipality has opened a case of arson amid a report that a flare may have started the fires. Former president of the St Francis…
Urgent, focused action needed to improve police performance: Nhleko
Police Minister Nathi Nhleko says an analysis of past and current police performance has found “urgent, focused action” is required to improve the performance of the South African Police Service (SAPS). He said critical deficiencies and challenges were found during the in-depth study and the majority of these related to…
NUM calls for review of safety regulations after 6 deaths at NW mine
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has called for a review of health and safety regulations at mines in the country after four mineworkers were killed in an underground fire at Impala Platinum's mine in Rustenburg, North West. The fire broke out at shaft number 14 on Friday evening. The…
Continued university disruptions "politically motivated"
The University of the Free State's SRC president says the continuation of the #FeesMustFall protests is no longer about student needs but is rather politically motivated. Lindokuhle Ntuli's comment comes as some students opted to continue protesting for free education by disrupting the registration process at several universities. Ntuli says…
30 attempt to dance their way to new world record in BFN
A group of about 30 traditional dancers are currently attempting to dance their way to a new world record at the Protea Hotel Bloemfontein central. Anja Viljoen, a manager at the hotel, says she came up with the initiative because it was unique to the hotel and would bring staff…
Decision on latest Eskom price increase request expected next month
National Energy Regulator, Nersa says a decision on whether to approve Eskom's application for a more than 16 percent tariff increase will be made before the end of next month. Nersa has spent the past week hearing submissions from affected parties in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban, including environmental…
"Clitoris collector's" transfer application dismissed
An application by the Danish national, accused of genital mutilation, to be transferred back to the Grootvlei Prison outside Bloemfontein has been dismissed. The 63-year old Peter Frederiksen filed papers with the Free State High Court to ask the Department of Correctional Services not to transfer him from Grootvlei until…
Kagiso Shanduka Trust Feature
Today OFM Journalist, Mark Steenbok, chats to the Trust’s Kealeboga Moremba on the year that was in 2015 and the prospects for the new year…
Before Dawn: Uys comments on duality of drought
OFM News’ agri editor, Sabrina Dean, speaks to Farmer’s Weekly journalist, Gerhard Uys, about news in the agriculture sector. They discuss the duality of the drought today, as well as the closing date for comments on the new Agri BEE sector codes:
Before Dawn: VL-hoofbestuurder praat oor boere se behoeftes
Bykans 600 landbouers wat aan ‘n droogtebehoefte-opname deur Vrystaat Landbou deelgeneem het, benodig ‘n gesamentlike inkomste van R15 miljoen per maand om hul boerderye aan die gang te hou. OFM-nuus se landbouredakteur, Sabrina Dean, het gister met VL se hoofbestuurder, Henk Vermeulen, gepraat:
Vier verskyn in verband met moord op Potchefstroomse veeboer
Vier mense wat verbind word met die moord op ’n Potchefstroomse veeboer het vanoggend vlugtig in die plaaslike landdroshof verskyn. Die saak teen Samuel Motsi, Malumo Ngcamphalala, Aida Lebaka en Tefo Mohua is tot 18 Maart uitgestel sodat die hof terugvoer vanaf die Direkteur van Openbare Vervolging kan kry rakende…
ANCYL FS to hold anti-racism march
The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the Free State is holding a protest march against racism in Bloemfontein today. The league’s provincial chairperson, Makalo Mohale says they are expecting thousands of young people from around the province to attend. The march will start at Bloemfontein’s Central Business District, then move…
Man (90) critical after dog attack
A 90-year-old man is in a critical condition after he was mauled by a dog in Water Edge, Carletonville yesterday afternoon. ER24 spokesperson Chitra Bodasing says the elderly man was walking in the area when a pitbull suddenly attacked him. He sustained injuries to his head, neck and left hand…
Stuck-in-the-mud
Bultfontein farmer Michris Janse van Rensburg explains how happy he was to have to deal with a tractor stuck-in-the-mud after having not had rain for so long.
Piet May: Steeds Grey Kollege se grootste "fan"
Die naam Piet May en Grey Kollege kan nie van mekaar geskei word nie. Hy sal tot op sy sterfbed vir Kollege skree. Grey Kollege vloei immers in sy bloed. OFM Nuus se Mark Steenbok het met hom gaan gesêls.
Skywatchers in for a treat
Skywatchers are in for a treat! In a celestial spectacle that hasn't occurred in 10 years, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter have aligned diagonally, and the good news is they are visible to the naked eye. The five planets moved into place in the early hours of Wednesday morning…
Presidensiële wag vandag gevonnis
Vonnisoplegging van 'n lid van die presidensiële beskermingseenheid begin na verwagting vandag in die Potchefstroom-landdroshof. Malose Makonyane is gister skuldig bevind op aanklagte van opsetlike saakbeskadiging, die rig en afvuur van ’n vuurwapen, roekelose bestuur, asook die roekelose ingevaarstelling van persone. Sy medebeskuldigde, Sankoela Lepota is vrygespreek nadat Landdros Louisa…
Transport Department steps in to stop road carnage
The Department of Transport is seeking to introduce radical measures to stop the carnage on the country's roads. Transport Minister, Dipuo Peters on Tuesday met with the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Michael Masutha, where several radical interventions were considered. In announcing earlier that festive season road deaths had…
James Blignaut – abuse of soil
Professor James Blignaut says we can’t continue to treat our soils the way we do.
James Blignaut – something must be done
Blignaut says based on his anecdotal observations, nothing much has been done over the last fifty years