F State man gets 14 years for R64.8m fraud, money laundering

Person behind bars. The Free State High Court in Bloemfontein has sentenced 52-year-old Sello Cedric Pinkoane to 14 years’ imprisonment for fraud and money laundering worth R64.8 million. Hawks spokesperson Zweli Mohobeleli says in January 2017, the accused approached an elderly businesswoman with a business proposition. He claimed to have secured a lucrative tender with…

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Strengthening disaster response system needs clear legislation: CoGTA

Deputy Minister Prince Burns-Ncamashe closed the AEME Earthquake Response Exercise Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, says strengthening South Africa’s disaster-response systems requires clear legislation and well-coordinated emergency capabilities.   He was speaking on the final day of the five-day Africa–Europe–Middle East Earthquake Response Exercise in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.  The simulation…

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Limpopo crime stats show alarming rise in sexual offences, GBV

Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe  Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe says the rate of sexual offences and gender-based violence in the province has increased.  Hadebe says that although there is a significant reduction in major crimes such as murder and attempted murder cases, sexual offences remain high.   Hadebe was speaking during the release…

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Bester, Magudumana pre-trial date moved to March 2026

Convicted murderer appears at the Bloemfontein High Court in the Free State on 05 December 2025. Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester and co-accused Nandipha Magudumana have submitted that they need more time to finalise their pending legal matters. They appeared in the Bloemfontein High Court in the Free State for another pre-trial hearing. The accused are facing…

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Bester, Magudumana back in court for another pre-trial hearing

Thabo Bester and his co-accused Dr Nandipha Magudumana appear in court. Thabo Bester and co-accused Nandipha Magudumana are expected back in the Bloemfontein High Court in the Free State on Friday for another pre-trial hearing in their prison escape matter. They both have pending legal matters, including Magudumana’s Constitutional Court appeal. Bester is challenging his incarceration conditions,…

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