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
ANC 'misguided' to end probe into 'state capture' – SACP
SA Communist Party (SACP) leader and Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande has criticised the ANC for not further pursuing investigations into allegations of state capture. The SACP's central committee met in Johannesburg over the weekend. Nzimande says the leadership of the ANC is misguided in dismissing concerns about corporate capture…
Zuma says ANC the only party that can take SA forward
ANC President Jacob Zuma says South Africa is better off with the ANC in power and has urged the public to vote for the party at the August 3 municipal elections. He said the ANC was the only party that could take South Africa forward. Zuma also asked supporters at…
FS govt to host choral competition to promote unity through music
The Free State Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation is hosting an interdepartmental choral competition today in a bid to promote unity among the different government departments. The department's acting chief director, Vincent Khetha, says the competition will see choral teams assemble from the different government departments to contest…
FS Premier intervenes in provincial health department
Free State Premier Ace Magashule has intervened in what the Treatment Action Campaign describes as a health crisis in the Free State. This follows after he asked the TAC to brief his provincial cabinet about the problems in hospitals and clinics in the Free State. The TAC compiled a report…
Nehawu strike at UFS continues
Striking members of the National Education Health Allies and Worker’s Union (Nehawu) at the University of the Free State (UFS) have vowed to continue their action until their demands are met. The strike continued for a second day yesterday as wage negotiations continued. Nehawu provincial organiser, Jabu Makhubo, says members…
'Standard & Poor's won't downgrade SA to junk status'
An economics professor believes ratings agency Standard & Poor's won't downgrade South Africa to junk status. Professor André Roux of the Stellenbosch Business School's comment comes ahead of an expected announcement today by the American financial services company. Commentators are worried a downgrade will mean more bad news for already…
20% growth in FS voters' roll
The 2016 voters' roll, as certified by Chief Electoral Officer Mosotho Moepya, shows only 20% growth in the past 16 years in the Free State. There were only about 245 400 more voters registered in the province than in 2000, when the municipal elections first used a voters’ roll. North…
Claassen inquiry: Phiyega not required to intervene at Marikana
Suspended national police commissioner, Riah Phiyega's legal representative says she would have exceeded her powers if she assumed management of the police function during the Marikana Massacre in 2012. Phiyega’s counsel, Mahlape Sello, told the Claassen board of inquiry probing her fitness for office, that intervention by her client during…
PSC report on availability of textbooks at schools in FS soon released
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is expected to release a report on the availability of textbooks, teaching and learning material at schools in the Free State later this month. Free State PSC Commissioner, Henk Boshoff, says the report will be made public on June 17. The commission conducted inspections at…
FS clinics to be inspected soon
The Public Service Commission (FSC) in the Free State will soon conduct inspections at clinics in the province. Provincial Commissioner Henk Boshoff says 10 clinics from the five districts in the province have been selected for on-site inspections. The Commission visited hospitals in the province last year and found a…
New police ranks must advance professionalism
A new police rank structure, which came into effect yesterday, aims to promote professionalism in the South African Police Service said the Portfolio Committee on Police. Committee chairperson Francois Beukman says it is important that the new rank of Regional Commissioners are monitored as a lot will be expected from…
Town and country find each other at Royal Show
The 166th annual Royal Show is currently underway in Pietermaritzburg with the focus on introducing town to country. CEO Terry Strachan says the event has a unique character and culture. He says its livestock section draws competitors from across the country:
Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago
Kganyago highlighted that the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector contracted in every quarter of last year, losing 8,4% of its total value over the course of the year. He says associated sectors have also felt the impact of this contraction. Kganyago did, however, highlight the importance of making good decisions…
Agbiz Chairperson Schalk Pienaar
Staying with the Congress, Agbiz Chairperson Schalk Pienaar told OFM News they are thrilled at the turnout this year. He says delegates include members and roleplayers from various sectors in the South African economy, as well as representatives from the USA and British Governments, Mauritius and other neighbouring countries. He…
Nasionale Kinderbeskermingsweek
Nasionale Kinderbeskermingsweek word van 27 Mei tot 2 Junie in Suid-Afrika waargeneem om bewustheid van kinderregte, soos vervat in die Kinderwet van 2005, te skep. Díe veldtog, wat in 1997 begin het, poog om alle sektore in die samelewing te mobiliseer om die versorging en beskerming van kinders te bevorder…
Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago
Some 300 delegates attending the Agbiz "Fit for the Future" Congress in the Western Cape this week have heard that factors such as the drought and the weak currency have resulted in food prices having an unusually strong influence on inflation. This was revealed by Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago…
Four injured in attempted cash-in-transit heist near Brits in NW
A security officer is in a critical condition after he, two colleagues and a member of the public were shot during a failed cash-in-transit heist on the N4 near the Brits off-ramp early this morning. North West police spokesperson, Mpeilatla Talane, says three Fidelity guards travelling in two vans and…
Plant fossils found around Grahamstown to be housed at Albany Museum
Plant fossils dating back millions of years which were found during excavation for road works around Grahamstown will be housed at the Albany Museum. Paleontogist and Albany Museum scholar, Dr Robert Gess and the SA National Roads Agency Limited today unveiled a treasure trove of fossils unearthed a fortnight ago…
Fossils dating back millions of years found near Grahamstown
Blasting and excavation for road works near Grahamstown has unearthed a treasure trove of fossils dating back millions of years. Paleontologist, Dr Robert Gess says the discovery two weeks ago is significant as many species have not yet been documented or described in academic literature. Gess, a heritage consultant for…
ANC concerned about possible ratings downgrade
The ANC says while it is concerned about a possible ratings downgrade on Friday, it would rather work to better the economy than try to please the rating agencies. Standard and Poor is due to announce its ratings update on Friday, while Fitch's ratings announcement is also expected in June…