The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for the “immediate and unconditional” removal of economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, describing them as “illegal measures that violate the basic human rights of ordinary Zimbabweans.”  This call came on the 25th of October, which SADC has designated as Anti-Sanctions Day, a day set aside annually to spotlight and protest against the sanctions imposed on SADC member states.  In a media statement released on Friday, October 25, 2024, Zimbabwean President and SADC Chairperson…

The Forum of Limpopo Entrepreneurs (Fole) has slammed Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Ernest Rachoene’s decision to appeal a high court order reinstating Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) CEO Gabriel Maluleke and the agency’s board.  Siviko Mabunda, a Fole secretary, said the move proved that Rachoene and Premier Phophi Ramathuba wanted to “milk RAL through the back door”.  Last week, the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane ordered Rachoene to reinstate Maluleke and the RAL board following their…

The Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane has ordered Ernest Rachoene, MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure, to reinstate Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) CEO Gabriel Maluleke and the RAL board following their illegal removal.  This ruling, delivered by Judge Marisa Naude-Odendaal on Tuesday, October 8th, set aside Rachoene’s decision to dissolve the board on 31 July 2024, leading to Maluleke’s suspension on 30 August 2024.  The dissolved RAL board is led by businessman Matome Ralebipi, who is…

AHUIWI Netshidaulu, the former CEO of water utility Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), has accused the board’s chairperson, Dr Nndweleni Mphephu, of conspiring and abusing his power to protect a service provider and a senior official charged with criminal activities.   In an affidavit, Netshidaulu says Dr Mphephu threatened and tried to manipulate him into dropping his ongoing intimidation case against businessman Matome Sefalafala, the owner of Falaz General Trading and Construction (Pty) Ltd, and Phineas Legodi, former LNW CEO. Otherwise,…

The provincial governments of Limpopo and Gauteng have taken a significant step forward in their plans for a high-speed rail network that will connect the two provinces. According to a joint media statement released on October 9th, 2024, Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi met at Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro in Mookgophong, Waterberg, where they approved the implementation protocol document for the project. The two provinces also committed to joint consultations with key national bodies,…

University of Johannesburg (UJ) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, has emphasized that the institution is undergoing necessary transformation and has a “renewed” mandate underpinned by societal impact. He was delivering his keynote address at the official launch of the university’s Strategic Plan 2035, which will guide the university’s growth and development over the next decade. The plan, launched on Tuesday, October 8th at UJ’s Auckland Park campus in Johannesburg, focuses on three central themes: societal impact and sustainability,…

The Mpumalanga Tourism Expo has emerged as a landmark event for promoting sustainable tourism practices in South Africa. Organized annually by Jakada Holdings in partnership with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the event showcases the province’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and tourist attractions, positioning Mpumalanga as a premier tourist destination. This year’s expo was held from 04 to 06 October 2024 at the Riverside Mall in Mbombela, and featured more than 60 exhibitors from across the country, including Gauteng,…

Nkululeko Dunga, former MMC for Finance in the City of Ekurhuleni and Chairperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng, survived an assassination attempt in the early hours of Wednesday, 02 October 2024.  According to a media statement from the EFF, the attack occurred at Dunga’s family home in Ekurhuleni. The statement details that at approximately midnight, suspicious footsteps were heard on the roof, prompting Dunga’s son to request a security check. Around 2 am, security personnel conducting patrols…

A legal battle is looming between Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) and Isiphethu Engineering after the Limpopo water utility terminated the company’s Giyani water project contract allegedly at the best of board chairperson Dr Nndweleni Mphephu and the contractor over a payment dispute.  According to a termination letter sent to Isiphethu Engineering and seen by African Times, Lepelle Northern Water Chief Executive Officer Dr Cornelius Ruiters claimed the consulting engineering company’s contract had lapsed four years ago even though he had…

A Limpopo municipal manager has denied claims that the council has suspended him, saying he is still in office because he has received no suspension letter.  Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality’s accounting officer, Dr Kgoshi Lucas Pilusa, says he will take legal action should he be suspended illegally and for dubious reasons. Speaking to African Times on Tuesday after the Democratic Alliance released a statement welcoming “the precautionary suspension of the Municipal Manager, Dr Pilusa”, Dr Pilusa dismissed his alleged suspension as prosperous. …