MASILONYANA NEWS

19/06/2026

Gregory Moleofi Foundation Leads Nelson Mandela Charity Hiking Initiative

Community Unites for Hope, Charity and Mandela’s Legacy

The spirit of Nelson Mandela continues to inspire communities across South Africa as the Gregory Moleofi Foundation prepares to host its highly anticipated Nelson Mandela Charity Hiking Event on 18 July 2026.

The event aims to bring together community members, youth, families, organisations and social activists for a meaningful day of hiking, unity and giving back in honour of Mandela Month.

Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s lifelong commitment to justice, compassion and community upliftment, the charity hiking event encourages participants to contribute through any form of donation, with all proceeds and collected goods directed towards assisting a disadvantaged family identified through the Gregory Moleofi Foundation’s outreach programmes.

Speaking ahead of the event, organisers described the initiative as more than just a hiking activity, but a movement aimed at restoring hope and encouraging active citizenship within communities.

“Mandela Day reminds us that each individual has the power to make a difference. Through this charity hiking event, we want people to come together, exercise, connect with nature and, most importantly, support families facing difficult circumstances,” said Gregory Moleofi.

The initiative follows the growing trend of using sporting and outdoor activities to promote social change and community development in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy. Across South Africa, Mandela-themed walks, runs and community sporting events continue to unite people around causes of dignity, equality and social justice.

Organisers have encouraged everyone, regardless of fitness level or background, to take part in the initiative and contribute towards making a positive differences in the lives of others.

12/06/2026

Media Statement

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MASILO CLINIC

For immediate release
11 June 2026

The Free State Department of Health confirms the temporary closure of Masilo Clinic following a prohibition notice issued by the Department of Employment and Labour on Wednesday, 10 June 2026. The Department recognises the inconvenience this causes and sincerely apologises to the patients, staff and the community at large. The first responsibility of the Department is to protect patients and staff, and the clinic will only reopen when it is demonstrably safe to do so.

Preliminary technical observations are that the closure stems from a water-pressure failure within the clinic. While municipal water reaches the premises and a water tanker is on site, the internal pressure is too low to ensure reliable handwashing, cleaning, and other infection prevention and control measures required for safe care. Operating under these conditions would be non-compliant with health and labour standards.

Technical teams from the Department of Health, in coordination with the municipality and relevant authorities, are working urgently to restore adequate pressure, flush and disinfect internal lines, and verify water quality. When all the work is done, the Department of Employment and Labour will be contacted for re‑inspection to enable resumption of services from the clinic.

To maintain access to care, arrangements are made to operate the clinic services from the nearby community hall supported by two mobile health teams to continue serving the Masilo community during the closure, offering essential services including chronic medication refills, immunisations, maternal and child health, family planning, and management of minor ailments.

The Department appeals for the community’s patience and cooperation as we resolve this matter with urgency. The clinic will reopen immediately once it meets all safety requirements and receives the necessary clearance.

Issued by Mondli Mvambi, Spokesperson

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Message from BRANDFORT (FREE SSTATE)

*Hallo mevrou Erika. Ek het net hulp gevra om dit in die groepe te deel sodat mense ons kan help. Die man in die prent is Elvis Mpambaniso. Hy het by Martha gebly, die vrou wat vetkoek naby die taxistaanplek verkoop. Die persoon het homself in Martha se huis opgehang, so die persoon het nie 'n ID nie. Ek het gevra of mense kan skenk sodat ons 'n begrafnis kan reël. Vir meer inligting kan 'n persoon 063 446 1072 kontak. Of skakel ondersoekbeampte Mokokoane.*

*Translation to English:*

"Hello Mrs Erika. I just asked for help to share this in the groups so that people can help us. The man in the picture is Elvis Mpambaniso. He stayed with Martha, the woman who sells vetkoek near the taxi rank. The person hanged himself in Martha’s house, so the person does not have an ID. I asked if people can donate so that we can arrange a funeral. For more information a person can contact 063 446 1072. Or call investigating officer Mokokoane."

11/06/2026

MASILO CLINIC CLOSED OVER WATER CRISIS, PATIENTS LEFT STRANDED

By Tankane Pitso

THEUNISSEN – Patients and healthcare workers were left stranded on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, after Masilo Clinic was closed due to an ongoing water supply crisis.
The closure followed an inspection by the Department of Employment and Labour, which found that the facility could not continue operating without a reliable water supply.

Masilo Clinic is currently the only public healthcare facility serving residents of Masilo and Theunissen following the closure of Lusaka Clinic in 2025 after cable theft disrupted services. Community members say the water challenges at Masilo Clinic have persisted for a long time despite the installation of water storage tanks to supplement municipal supply.

By Thursday, 11 June, the clinic remained closed, with patients and staff gathered outside the facility awaiting further information regarding the resumption of services.

Community members expressed frustration over the situation. Residents Mr Jackson and Mr Maselo said the water crisis has been ongoing for years and that little progress has been made to resolve it. They also highlighted the impact of the closure of Lusaka Clinic, which has placed additional pressure on Masilo Clinic and reduced healthcare access for the community.

An Acting Area Manager from the Department of Health visited the facility together with departmental officials to assess the situation and determine possible interventions. As a temporary measure, two mobile clinics were deployed to provide healthcare services to patients affected by the closure.

Masilo Clinic Manager, Mr Thabiso Monei, said healthcare workers remain committed to serving the community and welcomed the deployment of mobile clinics while efforts continue to restore normal operations.

The Free State Department of Health spokesperson, Mr Mondli, confirmed that interventions are underway to address the matter.

Attempts to obtain comment from Masilonyana Municipality Technical Director Mr Mthimkhulu were unsuccessful at the time of publication. However, Ward 9 Councillor Cllr Kototsa said he had engaged with municipal officials regarding the issue. According to the councillor, water supply to the clinic area had been restored, but internal plumbing problems at the clinic may be contributing to the ongoing crisis.

The two mobile clinics have since commenced operations while administrative processes continue to determine longer-term solutions.

This remains a developing story and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

06/06/2026

[HELP LOCATE MISSING 19-YEAR-OLD THABELO HOWARD]

Police requests the public's urgent assistance in locating 19-year-old Thabelo Howard.

​It is alleged that Howard left his cousin's residence in Theunissen on Monday, 18 May 2026, stating that he was traveling to Winburg to look for employment. He has not returned since, and all attempts to establish his current whereabouts have been unsuccessful.
​
Anyone who may have seen Thabelo Howard, or who possesses any information regarding his current whereabouts, is urgently requested to contact the investigating officer, Detective Constable Simthandile Gcanga, on 079 506 8545.

​Alternatively, members of the public can share information anonymously by calling the SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or by submitting a tip-off via the MySAPS App.

29/04/2026

The Theunissen Regional Court has sentenced Matebesi Papikie Bambiso (40) to life imprisonment for r**e.

The sentencing emanates from an incident that occurred on Saturday, 5 October 2024, at about 19:00. The Regional Court heard how, on the day of the incident, the female victim who was aged 46 at the time was accosted by the accused and his accomplice. While the victim was walking home from a traditional ceremony, she was attacked by the two males. She was able to identify one of them as Papi. During the attack, the victim was struck on the left side of the head with a stone. The victim recalled how both males assaulted her before taking turns and r**ed her.

While the victim was lying defenceless on the ground, they kicked her, and Papi further stabbed her. Believing that the victim was dead, they then left her after taking her daughter's cellphone from her. The victim then managed to get up and seek assistance at Theunissen police station, where a case of r**e was registered.

The matter was assigned to Constable Theo Weilbach of the Bultfontein Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigations. Through his meticulous investigation, the one suspect who was known to the victim was arrested on 5 November 2024. The accused was denied bail until the commencement of the trial and subsequently the time of his conviction.

The investigating officer who worked tirelessly alongside prosecutor Dr I Maklein of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) ensured that the accused was found guilty. Matebesi Papikie Bambiso was sentenced to life imprisonment by Magistrate Mr Mitha on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.

26/04/2026

A 45-year-old male has been arrested by police in Brandfort. This is after a 33-year-old man was fatally stabbed outside a tavern in Majwemasweu location.

It is alleged that on Saturday, 25 April 2026.
The male suspect is expected to appear before the Brandfort Magistrate's Court soon on a charge of murder.

24/04/2026

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒

The Free State (FS) Department of Education has dismissed a notice circulating on social media claiming that schools will be closed from the 27 April to the 1 May 2026 and will only reopen on 4 May as fake news.

While 27 April is a public holiday for Freedom Day and 1 May is Workers’ Day, schools are expected to operate as normal on Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29, and Thursday 30 April 2026.

The department's spokesperson Howard Ndaba, has confirmed to FS Online that the notice is fake news.

Unless an official announcement is made through formal department channels, the school calendar remains unchanged.

Parents and learners are asked to rely only on official communication from the department or their respective schools.

24/04/2026