There was a serious accident on the R521 Dendron road, 35km outside Polokwane on Friday. One person died while a driver of a minibus and another truck sustained serious injuries.
It is alleged that a truck that was traveling towards Polokwane on R521 near Ga-Hlahla collided head-on with another truck. It was traveling from the Dendron direction.
R521 Dendron road accident scene
ONE DIE AT R521 DENDRON ROAD ACCIDENT
After the collision of two trucks, a Toyota minibus crushed the other truck at the back. One person from the truck died on the spot while a driver of a minibus sustained serious injuries. The driver of another also sustained serious injuries.
A possible cause of the accident is suspected to be reckless driving that led to a heads-on collision. Motorists are advised to drive with caution when approaching that part of the road.
The Provincial Government together with the Department of Military Veterans held a commemoration of the Limpopo and Mutale River Valleys war battles. The event was also in collaboration with the Umkhonto We Sizwe Liberation War Veterans. It was held at the Mutale River Island (Tshitangadzimeni), Musina Municipality in the Vhembe District.
The Limpopo and Mutale River Valleys war battles happened during the period between 1980 to 1990 by the well-trained Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) army.
During that period, and years earlier several Umkhonto we Sizwe combatants infiltrated South Africa through the borders of Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. But in the main through Zimbabwe to liberate South Africa. Several battles were fought, including the Battle of Mutale. Which was fought over 24 hours along the Mutale River near the Pafuri Gate of the Kruger National Park.
MEC Nakedi Kekana arrives
On the morning of 28 March 1988, a battle ensued between the then Venda Defense Force (VDF) and the nine-person MK unit at the Mutale River on a little island ( Tshitangadzimeni). The VDF called for reinforcements from the South African Defense Force (SADF) and helicopter gunships were deployed. Which ended in the demise of 5 of the nine MK guerrillas and several from the Defense forces. Three of the MK survivors include Duma Mlambo, James Sekgale and Thabo Dube.
The event was attended by amongst others, ambassadors and envoys from Cuba, Bryan Brito Tanzania, Major general Salimu Milanzi Tanzania High Commission Zimbabwe Angola and Mozambique. As well as current and former leaders of both the government and the ANC.
Guests viewing the war site
THE PROVINCE COMMEMORATES FALLEN MILITARY VETERANS
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Nakedi Sibanda-Kekana gave a keynote address.
“We are glad that besides the special training these young men received from Cuba, Angola, Russia and other countries. Some of those who debriefed them are here today. We send special thanks to South African national Defence retired colonel Mashudu Masindi who was part of the MK machinery in Zambia and Zimbabwe at the time. He is also here with us today,” she said.
“We are aware of the many challenges these military veterans face today. Our freedoms were not as free as some of us think. Sweat and blood, torture and incarceration were the order of the day. The Department of Military Veterans has to move with speed with the incentives that are owed to these heroes.”
The University of Venda was ranked among the Top 11 from a group of 88 universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The ranking is done by the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.
The official announcement was made at the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Universities Forum at Ashesi University in Berekuso, Ghana on 26 June 2023. The Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings is a new university ranking developed specifically to address the challenges faced by higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The adjudication process for the 2023 Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University rankings followed a hybrid methodology to account for the diverse strengths of the sector with a comprehensive range of performance indicators across five pillars: Access and fairness; Africa impact; Teaching skills; Student Engagement and Resources and also finances.
The ranking explored the impact of the universities in addressing the toughest challenges encountered in Africa. Such as graduate employability, teaching quality, research impact and inequality. The current performance of ranked universities was assessed to identify key areas where they can improve.
Sub-Saharan Universities Top 10
The importance of university rankings as a tool, provides a way to compare institutions, benchmark performance. Identify areas for improvement, and promote a culture of excellence. This also ensures that higher education is accessible, affordable, and of the highest quality.
THE UNIVERSITY OF VENDA RANKED TOP 11 IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Last year, in October 2022, UNIVEN was ranked in the Top 15 universities in South Africa. It was done by Times Higher Education University ranking in its annual ranking of the world’s top universities for 2023.
There are four South African universities in the top 10 with Wits at number one. University of Johannesburg at position two, the University of Pretoria at number four and the University of Western Cape at number six.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has been cleared of any wrongdoing regarding the theft of US dollars from his Phala Phala game farm scandal in Limpopo. Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka delivered her final report on the matter on Friday.
But she found that the head of the South African Police Service presidential protection service General Wally Rhoode had acted improperly in investigating the crime.
The report said the allegation that Ramaphosa had violated the Executive Ethics Code is not substantiated.
The investigators could also not find evidence showing that Ramaphosa was actively involved in the day-to-day operations of Ntaba Nyoni or Phala Phala farms.
“The allegation that the president improperly and in violation of the provisions of the Executive Ethics Code exposed himself to any risk of a conflict between his constitutional duties and obligations and his private interests arising from or affected by his alleged paid work at Phala Phala farm is not substantiated,” said Gcaleka.
President Cyril Ramaphosa
PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA CLEARED OF PHALA PHALA SCANDAL
The report was to investigate whether Ramaphosa violated the ethics code after the theft of millions of US dollars. The complaint was made by African Transformation Movement leader Vuyo Zungula. This is after a criminal complaint laid by former spy boss Arthur Fraser in June last year.
The money was allegedly from a sale of buffalos by Sudanese billionaire Mustafa Mohamed Ibrahim Hazim for $580 000.
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) also cleared Ramaphosa and his companies Ntaba Nyoni Estate and Ntaba Nyoni Feedlot. It found that they were compliant with tax obligations.
Gcaleka concluded Ramaphosa followed the proper channels when he reported the robbery.
The Limpopo Baobabs secured their first-ever Telkom Netball League second-division Final. This comes after a 56-41 win against the Diamonds at the heartfelt Arena, Gauteng on Thursday.
It was a close contest in the first quarter and saw both teams separated by just one goal. The Limpopo Baobabs had no solid and consistent leads, but they worked hard to get the ball back and convert.
The Diamonds struggled to keep possession by the circle edge, which gave the Baobabs a one goal lead. Baobabs Goal Defense Modjadji Ramurwalo shut down the goal-for-goal flow with an impressive intercept, helping her team stretch their lead. However, the Diamonds made the task even more daunting with three overcooked feeds that became turnover balls, giving the Baobabs a 39-30 lead at half-time.
Limpopo Baobabs in action at Telkom Netball League
Both teams maintained the same consistency in the third quarter, scoring the exact number of goals they had in the second quarter. The Baobabs dominated the last quarter and disrupted the Diamonds’ rhythm on the attack with their deflections.
Coach Nthabiseng Hottie called a timeout to instruct a different game plan when the Diamonds had only managed to slot in one goal, four minutes into the fourth quarter.
LIMPOPO BAOBABS SECURE TELKOM NETBALL LEAGUE FINAL SPOT
The Baobabs exerted more defensive pressure, forcing turnover balls with their defensive rebounds. The crowd erupted as soon as the buzzer went off, and the Baobabs relished the moment of glory and hard-fought victory.
The Baobabs will play against Tornados in the division 2 final on Friday at 18:00.
Nedzanani Vhugala Thivhilaeli [19] appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 29 June facing charges of Money laundering.
The Hawks received information about suspected illegal activities at a certain house in Vuwani, Makhado. After conducting a preliminary investigation, a search warrant was applied.
The search and seizure operation led by Thohoyandou-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted by Serious Corruption Crime Investigation, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and Vuwani Crime Prevention members was conducted on 27 June 2023.
Plastic Bag full of Money
TEENAGER CHARGED FOR MONEY LAUNDERING IN VUWANI
When the team arrived at the identified house, they found the suspect. The search warrant was presented and the team started searching the house. The team recovered three plastics containing cash amounting to over R1,6 million. The suspect was immediately arrested and the recovered money was seized by the Hawks.
The case against Thivhilaeli was postponed to 07 July 2023 for bail application while the police investigation continues.
The Roads Agency Limpopo [RAL] have distanced itself from internship positions claimed to be from the Agency. There are internship positions currently circulating online promising graduates R 4000 to R 7000 stipends.
WHAT’S IN THE FAKE INTERNSHIP ADVERT?
Location: Polokwane, Limpopo Salary: Diploma students will receive R4 000 per month and Degree students will receive R7 000 per month.
RAL is inviting 15 graduates to apply for various internship positions within the company.
The following internship positions are open for application: Human Resources Internship (2 positions) Finance Internships (5 positions) Legal Internship (1 position) Internal Audit Internship (1 position) Governance, Risk and Compliance Internship (4 positions) Monitoring and Evaluation Internship (1 position) Communication Internship (1 position)
But the agency has quickly rubbished the advert and advised job seekers to go directly to their website.
“Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) would like to distance itself from this advertisement for internship positions currently circulating online.
“Please be advised that this is a SCAM! RAL has not advertised any internship positions. Credible RAL vacancies are posted on the RAL website when positions are available,” RAL warned job seekers.”
Long-serving SABC Radio Station Phalaphala FM presenter Mpho ‘MG’ Rathando has resigned from the station. Friday, 30 June 2023 will be his last day on air.
He is the presenter of the current affairs show ‘Tshiko tsha Ndivho’ between 12:00-15:00 on weekdays. ‘MG’ as he is effectively known will be taking up a position in the Makhado Local Municipality from 3 July 2023.
MPHO ‘MG’ RATHANDO HAS RESIGNED
Rathando sharpened his academic sword at various institutions in South Africa, This includes Wits University, Stellenbosch, and Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He has a master’s degree in journalism.
He started as a student journalist and radio presenter at the Wits campus radio station, Voice of Wits. Rathando also hosted a talk show on the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) radio link-up.
Mpho ‘MG’ Rathando has is leaving Phalaphala FM
He joined Phalaphala FM as a producer and presenter of the current affairs programme Ndevhetsini in 2008. In 2010, he took a break from the mainstream media industry and became a Hansard reporter, responsible for content development, at the national parliament in Cape Town for three-and-a-half years.
In 2014, he spent two years at Musina Local Municipality as a communications officer. Rathando also worked at the Department of Correctional Services in 2016 for roughly six months as a communication manager. In 2016 he returned to Phalaphala FM until his resignation.
PHALAPHALA FM CONFIRMS RESIGNATION
In a short statement on his social media platforms, Rathando thanked his listeners for the time they shared during his time at Phalaphala FM.
“Good people,
It has been almost seven years, bringing current affairs into your homes, offices, etc.
There is no platform that connects people quite like radio, I must say. I have made a lot of friends during my stint at Phalaphala FM.
To everyone whom I spent my mid-week afternoons with you on Radio, especially the listeners, it was a pleasure being with you, and I hope our paths cross again. Thank you tons for being such wonderful beings who sometimes participated enthusiastically in my radio show over the years.
MEC for Limpopo Provincial Treasury, Seaparo Sekoati has been sworn in as Limpopo’s acting Premier.
Sekoati will be acting Premier from 29 June to 13 July 2023. This is whilst Premier Stanley Mathabatha is away on bereavement following the death of his wife Maggie Mathabatha. He was sworn in by Judge President George Phatudi in Polokwane on Thursday.
SEAPARO SEKOATI APPOINTED ACTING PREMIER
The Province’s First Lady, Maggie Mathabatha passed away on Wednesday following a short illness.
Details regarding funeral arrangements will be announced once the family has finalised them.
Meanwhile, the DA has joined thousands of people who have sent their condolences to the Mathabatha family. The DA sent a message of condolences on Thursday.
“The DA in Limpopo expresses our heartfelt condolences to Premier Stanly Mathabatha and his family following the death of his wife, Maggie Mathabatha.
“Mrs Mathabatha was the First Lady of Limpopo since 2013 and will be remembered for her philanthropy and generous spirit towards disadvantaged communities,” the Party said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mathabatha family, their friends and colleagues during this sad time.”
Police in Lebowakgomo have launched a search operation for a missing teenager. This follows the disappearance of a 16-year-old girl, Mogoshadi Mante Lebopo residing at number 3187 zone B Lebowakgomo, Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality.
Mogoshadi was last seen on Saturday, 24 June 2023 at about 10:40 after a quarrel with her father. She never returned back home. She was wearing a grey tracksuit and green sandals at the time of her disappearance.
Mogoshadi Mante Lebopo
SEARCH CONTINUE FOR LEBOWAKGOMO MISSING TEENAGER
The search operation was conducted at relatives and friends with no success.
Anyone with information about the missing girl may contact the investigating Officer Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Nyamanyayo Baloyi on 082 565 8234. The nearest police or Crime stop number is 08600 10111.
