FREE
Established 1991
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
State of working spaces leave much to be desired
Condition still in decline TEBOHO SETENA
Healthcare services in the Free State face a “ticking time bomb” over concerns regarding work conditions and the neglect of infrastructure maintenance.
Primary health clinics were closed in April due to a prohibition notice issued by the Department of Employment and Labour
This is made evident by the Department of Labour continuing to issue prohibition orders to the Department of Health for its non-adherence to health and safety regulations in the work environment , risking the workers and the public. Owing to the grave concern over the deterioration of healthcare facilities in the province, Monyatso Mahlatsi, MEC for Health, has embarked on a campaign to assess the situation. He conducted an inspection at the Kutlwanong District Hospital in Odendaalsrus, the fire-gutted supply chain management store lo-
cated at the Lejweleputswa district office, and the Bophelong Clinic in Welkom and Leratong Clinic in Allanridge on Friday, 20 June. “The cost of burnt dental stock in the store is estimated at R850 000, while damage to the property is estimated at R1,3 million. The cause of the fire, which occurred in May, is still unknown. The experts who came to do their work at the facility are yet to provide a final report,” said Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the provincial health department. He said the staff at the fire damaged facility had since been relocated to continue with operations
while the department restored the damaged facility. He said the restoration would commence next year, as the department’s budget was under strain. Mvambi said the primary health clinics had been closed in April due to a prohibition notice issued by the Department of Employment and Labour, citing non-compliance with health and safety regulations. The workers at two Bloemfontein hospitals, Pelonomi and National, lament the mental distress to continue working in unpleasant conditions. This is in reference to both interior and exterior conditions at the two iconic health facilities in Bloemfontein. Speaking on grounds of anonymity for fear of intimidation, female nurses say the unkempt building surroundings are a safety risk, recalling the rape of a medical practitioner in 2010 and attempted rape of a medical intern in 2019 at Pelonomi.
The MEC for Health, Monyatso Mahlatsi (left), with an unidentified worker inside a mobile container being used to render services following the closure of a clinic in Allanridge. Photo: Supplied
Man who takes photo in restroom convicted of child pornography TEBOHO SETENA A Bloemfontein man found guilty on charges relating to child pornography will have his name placed on the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO), in addition to a sentence of three years’ imprisonment. The Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court sentenced Andre Meyer (29) on Friday, 20 June. Capt. Loraine Earle, spokesperson for the provincial police, said Meyer’s sentencing was a result of an investigation conducted by the Free State Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (Seci) unit in Bloemfontein. She said compelling evidence included
testimony by two of Meyer’s underage victims, who positively identified the accused. Earle said an incident involving two boys occurred in the restrooms at a Bloemfontein school on 29 February last year. “Following the court procedures, Andre Meyer entered a guilty plea on charge of creating child pornography in violation of Section 24(b) of the Films and Publications Act. He was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for five years. His name will also be placed on the National Register for Sex Offenders, declared unfit to work with children,” said Earle. It emerged the crime was commit-
ted during a school’s sports event. “The two boys entered a restroom when an adult male unlocked the door for them. While they were relieving themselves, the man discreetly took a photo of one of them. The second boy witnessed the act and immediately alerted his friend. When confronted, the man claimed it was a joke, deleted the image in their presence and left the scene. The victim reported the matter to his mother, who attended the event. The suspect was later identified by the boys as a contract chef working in the school’s hostel kitchen,” said Earle. She said a case of crimen injuria was initially opened at the Park Road
Police Station in Bloemfontein. Earle said that due to the serious nature of the incident, the case was transferred to Capt. Bez Bezuidenhout of the provincial Seci unit. “Upon further investigation, and to ensure the severity of the offence was appropriately addressed, Section 24(b) of the Films and Publications Act was added. It pertains to the use of a child in the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This ensured the suspect could be properly listed on the NRSO and barred from working with children in the future.” ■ Meanwhile, a 50-year-old man from Brackenfell in the Western Cape facing similar charges of violating chil-
dren’s rights is remanded in custody. He faces multiple charges relating to sexual exploitation, sexual grooming, facilitating the creation of child pornography, recruiting a child for financial or other rewards for the purpose of creating child pornography, and using a child for the purpose of benefiting from pornography. These charges involve two boys, aged 15 and 16 years, from Dewetsdorp. The suspect first appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court following his arrest in the Western Cape. The matter was transferred to continue in the Dewetsdorp court, and the suspect is in the process of applying for bail.
Serious about DEGREES • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) • Bachelor of Accounting CA(SA) track (SAICA-endorsed) • Bachelors of Commerce in: • HR Management • Supply Chain Management • Strategic Communication • Management Marketing • Law • Bachelor of Social Science • Postgraduate: • MBA • PG Dip in Management • Advanced Dip Adaptive Leadership
REGISTER NOW! Start studying 28 July! Premier Distance Learning: SA, UK and USA Accreditations
WE HAVE MOVED!!
Serious about Education. Serious about You.
boston.ac.za
PAYMENT PLANS | TEXTBOOKS INCLUDED | BLOEMFONTEIN | 051 447 5700 WhatsApp 063 124 0081 | Cnr 1st Avenue and Nelson Mandela Drive, Westdene, Bloemfontein.
Boston City Campus (Pty) Ltd Reg. No. 1996/013220/07 is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997). Registration Certificate No. 2003/HE07/002.