The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed two prominent South African universities’ payment of R800 million back to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).  The University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of the Free State (UFS) paid the NSFAS R450 million and R438 million, respectively, following an investigation by the SIU. Kaizer Kganyago, spokesperson for the SIU, said on Friday, December 6, the funds repaid by Wits and UFS were unallocated from 2016 to 2021. These funds were…

Vhembe ANC regional executive committee (REC) member Simon Mavikane has fired a broadside at chairperson Tshitereke Matibe, accusing him of presiding over the VBS scandal and seeking a fourth term for selfish reasons.  He says Matibe, Limpopo’s Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC, treats the chairperson position like a chieftaincy to which he is entitled till death. Premier Phophi Ramathuba appointed Matibe as MEC after the May 29 general elections.  Mavikane, a senior official in the Collins Chabane Municipality in…

The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in Limpopo says it’s all systems go for the by-election in the Thabazimbi Local Municipality on Wednesday, 4 December 2024. The Provincial Electoral Officer, Nkaro Mateta, says the commission is ready to receive the over 51,000 registered voters expected to cast their ballots. Addressing the media on Saturday, she reiterated that 21 political parties and five independent candidates will compete for control of the troubled council in the Waterberg region.  The Umkhonto…

A Gauteng woman who allegedly sold off her two-year-old son to unknown buyers will spend Christmas in custody after she gave up her bail application in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Keneilwe Shalaba (32) faces charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and providing false information to the police after allegedly trading off her child Kutlwano to unknown men who then disappeared in a silver grey Polo early in November. The incident happened around the Boipatong area in…

A sheriff has attached Makhado Local Municipality’s vehicles over outstanding payments to a security company, which accumulated over R2.5 million in areas.  The movable assets – including a tractor loader backhoe (TLB), a Toyota Dyna half truck, and a Toyota Hilux – were impounded from the Limpopo municipality’s offices in Louis Trichardt on November 19 after the Limpopo High Court issued a warrant of execution.  The municipality was one of many that unlawfully invested funds in the now-defunct Venda Building…

A 32-year-old Gauteng woman who allegedly sold her two-year-old son to unknown individuals will remain in custody until she possibly applies for a bail application on Friday, November 29. The unnamed woman appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on Monday on charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and making a false statement to the police. Lumka Mahanjana, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson for Gauteng Division, has confirmed the woman allegedly sold the child to unknown people on…

When Ramanugu Londolani volunteered as a borehole operator at the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) in Limpopo in 2016, he hoped to rise within the council’s ranks and be employed permanently. The 37-year-old married father of two from Lwamondo Village in Thohoyandou says he bought equipment and water chemicals after the municipality promised him a permanent job. He says Limpopo ANC Deputy Chairperson Florence Radzilani, then VDM mayor, told him and other volunteers their futures were secured as long as they…

A senior North West ANC politician is in hot water for allegedly threatening to break a local councillor’s private parts, castrate him and resurrect his dead mother.  Provincial Deputy Secretary and Education MEC Viola Ntsetsao Motsumi allegedly insulted Mahikeng Ward 10 councillor Obakeng Kgonare and accused him of spreading false rumours about her.  Kgonare opened a crimen injuria case against Motsumi at the Mmabatho Police Station on Wednesday, November 20. The ward councillor confirmed to African Times that he laid…

The leader of Economic Freedom Fighters in Limpopo, Lawrence Mapoulo, has accused Premier Phophi Ramathuba and Legislature Speaker Makoma Makhurupetje of tribalism and nepotism, alleging they only hire Vhavenda and Balobedu in their offices at the expense of Bapedi and Vatsonga-speaking people. Mapoulo addressed his party members during a service delivery march outside the Office of the Premier on Wednesday, November 13. In a video circulating on social media, Mapoulo is heard pointing accusing fingers at Ramathuba and Makhurupetje. Tribalism…

The Limpopo ANC has sought the wisdom and guidance of a traditional healer ahead of a crucial by-election in Thabazimbi, in a move one political analyst says is common among politicians but may help de-colonise minds and make people embrace African spirituality more than influence voter behaviour. Last week, ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) member and Premier Phophi Ramathuba and provincial ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Chairperson Ernest Tonny Rachoene were seen consulting an unnamed traditional healer during a campaign before…