Free State

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Disgruntled MK Party members in the Free State have accused the political elections task team of manipulating the province's candidate list and undermining the democratic nomination process.

Machabeng PR candidate Wuyisi Lebengwa says the districts can no longer remain silent.

about how the 2026 local government elections have been handled by the provincial team.

Hi, Mandy, and thanks for the invitation.

Severe thunderstorms are definitely expected over the northwest into the northern parts of the Northern Cape, as well may have cover the northwestern parts of the Free State just around Welkom, but there is still a warning for severe thunderstorms for the central and the southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

But if you'll be over the southern parts of the Northern Cape into the northeastern parts of the Western Cape, just expect some damaging winds.

So do remember that with severe thunderstorms, we're expecting heavy downpours that may lead to localized flooding, a possibility of damaging winds, as well as a possibility of hail and excessive lightning into the afternoon.

So please, please take caution.

And this is expected for today, but for tomorrow the storms are expected to move into the western parts of Limpopo, but there is still a thirty to a sixty percent chance of thunderstorms still expected for the central interior of the country.

This will cover the northwest, the Free State into KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape.

Okay, then tell us about, uh, hot temperatures, heat waves across parts of the country.

We subpoena these municipalities to, to appear before us, to provide testimony, and again, you know, we hold them accountable.

But we also have the power to litigate against municipalities, and as you've seen in the, uh, opinion piece that you've referred to, we recently litigated against the Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State province.

Um, that municipality has now indicated that they are interested in, in settling the matter.

We have litigated successfully against other municipalities in the Free State, North West Province, and also in, in, in Gauteng.

Um, and those, um, powers that we have to, to issue subpoena and also to litigate against municipalities, uh, we use to enforce our recommendations.

I'd, I'd love you to tell me now, but obviously only if it is true [laughs], that simply going in, sometimes simply going into a municipality and doing the investigation and then engaging with the municipality about the recommendations, has that municipality see the error of its ways and start, I mean, this is not something that can be fixed overnight, but start a process of gradual improvement which will lead to sustained better sewage.

Thanks.

You were born in Bethlehem in South Africa in Free State.

Yes.

As talked about, we've played 34 tests for South Africa.

Yeah.

So, you know, making the South African team and coming to New Zealand and to Christchurch for the world champs, was that an opportunity to, I guess, open up the world to you or around?

Yeah, I remember 95, I was in the lounge with my mum and we were watching the World Cup and obviously first time that we got exposed to the game we love on TV, a big deal in the free state.

And watching it and I sat on the couch and I looked at my mum and I said, in 1995, I'll be in that team.

Our promise is about action.

This while ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, paid homage to the Free State's agricultural hub, saying the Free State flourishes in maize and citrus.

Ramaphosa committed to returning to the province to follow up on the sewer spills and lack of housing.

He has also encouraged residents to ensure their children complete school for a better standard of living.