LAV Production House

13/04/2025

11/04/2025

LAV REPORTS: Fatal accident claims two lives

A fatal car accident occurred on the R57 between Petrus Steyn & Heilbron in the Free State. The car accident that tragically claimed two lives, was reported around 06:10 am to Road Incident Management System( RIMS).

It has been reported by the department of Health's spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, that there are two fatalities and three critical injuries including entrapments.

Sipho Towa from RIMS, mentioned that the relevant bodies including Emergency Services, are currently on the scene and that traffic is moving past the scene.

Photos: SUPPLIED

07/04/2025

LAV REPORTS: Power cable cut at Olympia Primary school

Three suspects attempted to rob one of Heidedal's primary schools, Olympia Primary school around 7:40 this morning.

Opkoms, Rykmanshoogte, Ashbury and East-End neighbourhood watches assisted the South African Police Services (SAPS) during the alleged robbery.

The three suspects hid in the double story's ceiling of the school. They proceeded to cut the power cables and left one of the classes damaged.

One of the suspects has been apprehended by SAPS and is now under supervised care at Pelenomi Tertiary Hospital as the suspect sustained injuries during the search.

It is alleged that the other two suspects managed to escape.

Hamlet Scheepers from the East-end neighbourhood watch, mentioned that this is not the first instance that there was an attempted robbery at the primary school.

"The alleged suspects from a previous robbery at the school, stole the vegetables for the school's feeding scheme," Scheepers mentioned.

He further added that these attempted robberies could be as a result of the primary school not having security at night and only during the day.

Photos: SUPPLIED

02/04/2025

LAV REPORTS: Bloemfontein shows up in numbers for CweCwe

A national uproar has been on the rise since 7-year old CweCwe was sexually assaulted at her school in Eastern Cape in October last year.

Bloemfontein's residents, GBV activists and political parties came out in solidarity to support March hosted by Buang Basadi, an initiative that firmly stands against Gender and female based violence on 1 April.

The march commenced from Hoffman square to the Parkweg Police station where a memorandum was handed over demanding that justice should prevail and that a better vetting process should be done more regularly by the department of education when it comes to teachers.

Newly appointed PR Councillor for the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Sophia Swartz and various members of PA was in attendance. Mr Central South Africa's founder, Theo King and ambassador, Ernest Mofokeng, was also in attendance among multitudes of Mangaung residents.

Photos: SUPPLIED

01/04/2025

LAV REPORTS: Roadblock at Witherow Avenue

The railway crossover between Witherow Avenue to the East-end industrial sites in Heidedal, has been closed off due to a car and train accident that took place in the early morning hours today (1 April 2025) at the railway track.

According to witnesses, the South African Police Service ( SAPS), emergency services and the Managaung Fire and rescue department acted swiftly. It is also alleged that there are no fatalities.

Photos: SUPPLIED

26/03/2025

LAV REPORTS: SAPS gives back to Heidedal community

The South African Police Services(SAPS) in conjunction with the Heidedal Neighbourhood Watch donated Devil's Forks to restore the fencing of Clive Solomon Stadium on 25 March.

Various Mangaung Metro Municipality stakeholders such as MMC of Finance, Ward Councillor Logan Kruger ,Ward 47 councillor, Jan-Rudolf Maartens and different sporting clubs were part of the event.

The various sporting codes all agreed that this safety measure will make it easier and safer for the children of the community to partake in sports.

Here are a few highlights of the event:

26/03/2025

LAV REPORTS: GBV Activist sworn in as PR Councillor

Retired Acting Magistrate, Cornelius Mokgobo, facilitated an oath ceremony for Patriotic Alliance councillor Sophia Swartz, who took an oath as a PR Councillor earlier today.

The oath ceremony was organised by the office of the Speaker, Councillor Lawrence Mathae, who mentioned that Swartz will not be able to form part of a council meeting scheduled for later this week if she hasn't taken her oath or affirmation.

“I heartily welcome you to the Mangaung Council and I hope your presence will be a valuable contribution to the people of Mangaung," Mathae said.

The speaker further mentioned that he looks forward to the invaluable contribution that Swartz will make in the council meetings and the difference that the newly appointed PR Councillor will make in the community.

PHOTOS: Mangaung Metro Municipality Facebook

15/03/2025

LAV REPORTS: Final match for Heidedal's Cricket team at Clive Solomon stadium

Heidedal based team cricket team, Heidedal cricket club, will be having their final match of the season against CBC at the Clive Solomon cricket stadium today (15 March 2025) at 1pm.

Vice-chairperson of the team, Franklin Swiegels, mentioned that the if the team wins the match today, they will be promoted to the promotional league.

“We have played 11 matches and only lost one so far, today will be our 12th match for the season,” Swiegels said.

The team consists of:
Ashley Schultz( Captain)
Nolan busby
Gino vries
Quinton Samson
David van der merwe
Lawrence de wet
Rene Levack
Brendon maans
Simon Meyers
Denver Brussel
Leon van schalkwyk

The match is open to the public and there is no entrance fee. The management team of Heidedal Cricket Club,Rene Levack (chairman) and Franklin Swiegels, would like to thank the community for their constant support and urges them to support the team for their final dance of the season.

Photos: SUPPLIED

15/03/2025

LAV BREAKING NEWS: South Africa remains committed to relations with USA

South Africa's ambassador to the United States of America (USA), Ebrahim Rasool, has been declared a Persona Non Grata(unwelcome, unwanted person) by secretary of State, Marco Rubio in a tweet on social media platform, X.

Rubio further stated that Rasool is a race baiting politician who hates America and the current president of USA, Donald Trump.

Ties between the two countries have been severed when President Cyril Ramaphosa officially signed a law into bill that makes it easier for the state to expropriate land in the interest of the public.

It resulted in the POTUS cutting financial aid to South Africa.
The South African presidency has however noted the regrettable expulsion of Rasool and urges all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement on this matter.

“South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with America,” Ramaphosa concluded.

Screenshot: Marco Rubio (X)
IMAGE:https://www.georgetown.edu/news/former-ambassador-of-south-africa-now-georgetown-scholar-in-residence/

13/03/2025

LAV REPORTS: Versius Surgical Robotics system medical achievement for Free State

The Free State department of Health along with the University of the Free State, launched the ground-breaking Versius Surgical Robotics system earlier this week at Universitas Academic Hospital.

The Versius system combines cutting-edge robotic technology, dedication and passion as it allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgeries. with enhanced precision, reduced risk, and quicker recovery.

Not only is it the first of its kind in South Africa but also in Southern Africa and is expected to revolutionise surgeries across multiple specialties.

Free State’s premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae attended this prestige event and expressed her gratitude to the dedicated medical team, the University of the Free State as well Universitas Academic Hospital.

The Premier further mentioned the various procedures were completed from 23 February 2025 up until 6 March. “This includes radical prostatectomies and cholecystectomies showcasing the potential of this technology to enhance surgery outcomes,” Mathae mentioned.

The University’s vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Hester Klopper, commended the Versius Surgical Robotic System mentioned that its unparalleled precision helps specialists to perform complex robotic-assisted surgeries with unprecedented accuracy.

“The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Vision 130 emphasises global relevance and Versius will enable us to perform procedures locally that may not have been available in Southern Africa before,” Klopper mentioned.

Communication and media Liason for Universitas Hospital, Sidwell Guduka, further added that the Versius Surgical Robotics System will enable better outcomes for patients, including shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and quicker recoveries.

“Surgeons will benefit from enhanced visual and tactile feedback during operations, enabling them to perform procedures more accurately and safely,” concluded Guduka.

Video: Free State Department of Health

12/03/2025

LAV REPORTS: Alleged Bloemside soccer field to move to Heidedal- resident(s) concerned.

The MMC for Human Settlement Ntombi Nhlapo, recently addressed the community of Bloemside one with what seemed as good news.

Nhlapo visited the soccer field pitch in Bloemside along with the executive mayor of the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM), Gregory Nthatisi, as a site visit was deemed necessary for servicing.

Nthatisi mentioned that the soccer field was meant to be a residential area and that the soccer field has to be placed in a designated area favourable for the community.

Bronwyn Adams, a resident in Heidedal, Rykmanshoogte, recently discovered that this designated area will be in Heidedal, opposite Leeubekkie street.

Adams, who has been a resident for over 34 years in the Heidedal community, has witnessed the changes that have occurred over the years and the struggles that the neighbourhood watch has to endure to ensure the community’s safety.

“The recent, unannounced move of not even our local temporary soccer field to Rykmanshoogte, greatly concerns me. This move could not only disrupt our community but can also bring about potential security problems and hampers the accessibility to water which is essential for such a venue,” Adams mentioned.

She further mentioned that there are already no sanitary facilities as this area was never created for such venues.

“The area has sewerage pipes laying adjacent right through the veld, so no development can be viable. It also has a main road which poses as a safety hazard for the participants on the soccer field," Adams mentioned.

The community activist confirmed that she has visual evidence where a viable alternative will be given for the soccer field.

“However, when the TLB started scraping the veld yesterday, we as residents confronted the worker/driver and this is when he stated that the scraping was done for that specific reason. The Ward councillor, Rudi Maartens, was also notified that the moving of the soccer field was the reason for the scraping,” Adams said.

Although Adams agrees and supports the narrative of a child in sport is a child out of court, she just feels that the project didn’t even follow the correct procedures.

“We as the neighbourhood were not included in this decision at all, our concerns weren’t heard, whereas the Bloemside community was informed and addressed,” concluded Adams.

Adams currently has a petition to halt the development at this vacant land and urges the community to support this initiative.

LAV Production House reached out to MMM and the councillor for Bloemside's ward, Rudi Maartens and is currently awaiting feedback.

Photos: SUPPLIED

12/03/2025

BREAKING NEWS: Dr. Block High School Construction Halted Due to Financial Constraints

A dramatic turn of events has unfolded at the Dr. Block High School construction site, where a dispute over late payments and a heated altercation between laborers and management have culminated in the project's indefinite closure.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions boiled over on Saturday when laborers clashed over unpaid wages, leading to the suspension of seven local workers. The incident sparked outrage among fellow laborers, prompting a site shutdown on Monday.

In a surprise move, management announced that all laborers would resume work on Tuesday. However, this decision was short-lived, as the main contractor's financial woes became apparent, forcing the construction site to close until further notice.

Despite the official closure, construction activities reportedly continued on-site, sparking confusion and concerns among stakeholders. The situation has prompted a meeting between management, laborers, and relevant stakeholders, scheduled for Thursday, to resolve the impasse.

The abrupt halt in construction has raised questions about the project's future and the impact on the local community. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the fate of Dr. Block High School hangs in the balance.

11/03/2025

LAV REPORTS: Food Poisoning Kagisho Secondary school learners safely discharged

Several learners who attended a weekend matric study camp experienced symptoms consistent with food poisoning late last week ( 9 March 2025) and by the start of the new week, the number of learners had risen to 214.

The symptoms included nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever. It was then confirmed by the Free State department of Health's spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, that immediate medical attention was required, and learners were transported to local health facilities, including Poly Clinic and Pelonomi Casualty. 142 learners were seen at Poly Clinic, 67 at Pelonomi Casualty, and 5 at Pelonomi Netcare.

"The Free State Government Departments of Education and that of Health are pleased to announce that all 214 learners from Kagisho Secondary School who were affected by the suspected food poisoning incident, have been treated and were safely discharged to their respective homes as of yesterday," Mvambi confirmed.

The spokesperson further mentioned that eight female learners who remained at the health facilities for further observation while awaiting the results of blood samples taken for testing, were also discharged later in good health.

Mvambi commended the Free State department of Health as well as the educators at the Secondary School for acting swiftly.

Compiled by: Gail Visagie
Photos: Free State Department of Health

07/03/2025

HEIDEDAL CAR, MUSIC SPIN FEST ORGANIZERS VOW TO DELIVER DESPITE SPIN EVENT BAN

In a surprising turn of events, the Disaster Management department has refused permission for a spin event at the Heidedal Car, Music Spin Fest, scheduled for March 21, 2025. The decision, citing public safety concerns, has left organizers reeling.

Despite having submitted all necessary paperwork and ensuring comprehensive safety measures, the department's decision was reportedly influenced by a past tragic accident involving an illegal drag race, resulting in the loss of a child's life.

Organizers have expressed sympathy for the incident and emphasized their commitment to audience safety. However, they claim that they were not provided with formal documentation supporting the decision.

Undeterred, the organizers have promised to deliver a fun and relaxing experience, with tickets still available for purchase. They have also teased a surprise regarding the spin event, with more information to be revealed soon.

"The show must go on," said the organizers in a statement. "We invite the community to come out in numbers, support the event, and have a great time. We're committed to making this a memorable experience for all."

For more information, contact Richardo at 082 315 1305 or Keanu at 078 552 5031.

Stay tuned for updates on the spin event surprise