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,…

An 84-year-old man from Limpopo is sad that he might meet his ancestors before the government’s promise to build him an RDP house is fulfilled. The elderly citizen, Alfred Shai, from Dan village in Tzaneen, currently stays in a dilapidated structure with his son. Shai said that the councillor informed him early this year that his request for an RDP house was approved. He was, however, later surprised when told that the allocation of houses to the beneficiaries had been…

An Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor in Limpopo lives in fear after his home was petrol-bombed with seven occupants inside. Blouberg Local Municipality councillor Kingsley Maribeng is adamant that the motive behind the shocking attack is connected to his intervention in a road construction initiative aimed at benefiting the village of Ga-Mochemi in Ward 14. Although the attack took place two weeks ago, Maribeng is concerned that the perpetrators are hell-bent on making his life miserable. “It is difficult to…

The suspended sentence handed to a municipal official convicted of crimes relating to the R2 billion VBS scandal undermines the severity of the fraud and looting that took place at the bank, said a municipal union. The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) in Limpopo says it strongly condemns the “lenient” sentencing handed to former Thulamela Local Municipality municipal manager Hlengani Maluleke. It says the sentence further insults the bank’s victims, who lost millions in savings when the bank collapsed…

The Limpopo provincial government and other relevant stakeholders failed to provide clean water to the communities because they were incompetent. This is according to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) report released this week. SAHRC launched the investigation following several complaints by communities and concern groups accusing the municipalities of failing to provide clean, running water. “Access to water is essential to everyone’s health, dignity, and prosperity. In recognition of the fundamental importance of water, the Constitution entrenches the…

Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha asserts that the state-owned enterprise (SOE) responsible for overseeing 56 airstrips and airports in the province is a complete failure with no potential for success. Mathabatha presented his views to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) at the provincial legislature in Polokwane on Friday. He was invited to provide an explanation for the failure of the provincial government to effectively exploit the Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL) for the benefit of the province’s six million…

A Limpopo municipality has allegedly spent R1 million on 24 laptops, with an estimated price tag of around R34,000 each. It’s unclear what kind of laptops or models they are. Concerned opposition politicians at the Sekhukhune District Municipality are now demanding answers regarding the authorization process for the IT department’s expenditure. Secretary-General of the Bolsheviks Party SA, Seun Mogotji, said they were eager to ensure transparency and accountability within the municipal administration, especially following the arrests of a number of…

Emerging livestock producers in Thabazimbi and the surrounding areas may go out of business due to rampant livestock theft in Limpopo province. Several farmers who spoke to African Times this week stated that when they report incidents to the police, they do not receive updates on the status of their cases. Enraged farmers from various parts of Mogalakwena Local Municipality apprehended two men last week after discovering them in possession of five allegedly stolen cattle. The men, who cannot be…

Questions have been raised following a mysterious fire that destroyed a Limpopo warehouse at what was formerly the largest citrus producer in the southern hemisphere.To the horror of beneficiaries, the fire broke out at the Zebediela Citrus Farm southeast of Polokwane in the early hours of Sunday morning.According to reliable sources who spoke to Sunday World on condition of anonymity, the citrus estate’s junior partners, Humansdorp Co-Operative, and the majority stakeholder, Bjatladi Communal Property Association (BCPA), recently agreed to voluntarily…

LIMPOPO Public Works MEC Nandi Ndalane has appointed her underqualified and inexperienced son in law to  a senior post, in what insiders say is part of a jobs for pals scheme she has been running since taking over the department in November last year. Khazamula Khoza was parachuted to the position of employee wellness director, a level 12 post five notches above a junior position (level 7) he held in another government department, allegedly at the instruction of Ndalane. This is…