Limpopo Mirror

13/02/2025

If you're an experienced gambler, there's absolutely no way you'd put money on Mpheni Home Defenders when they face The Brazilians on Sunday. Apart from last weekend’s hiccup, Sundowns have dominated the top league. Will the minnows from Vhembe stop them in their tracks? We love supporting the underdogs, so we’ll be cheering for Mpheni.

But let’s take a look at the other news in this week’s Limpopo Mirror.

A traffic cop was arrested on Monday in Louis Trichardt. Although he is from Makhado, the alleged crime took place in Lephalale. Eight suspects appeared in the Thabazimbi court on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, four more arrests were made in Bela-Bela.

The road between Louis Trichardt and Vivo has frequently made headlines over the past few years. To call it a disaster would be an understatement. It stands as yet another monument to incompetence - likely worsened by large-scale corruption. As always, it is the daily commuters who suffer the most, relying on this road to get to work. Unfortunately, no solution appears to be on the horizon in the coming months.

A former agricultural officer from Vuwani, 75-year-old Simon Nyathela, went missing last week. His vehicle has since been found, but there is still no trace of him.

Mashudu Bele, the man who lured women to him by illegally operating as an e-hailing driver in Thohoyandou, was sentenced last week. He was found guilty of the murder of Fhatuwani Nguluvhe and will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Fed-up commuters are threatening to boycott the services of Great North Transport (GNT). They complain that the buses are not roadworthy and that the service is unreliable. The GNT spokesperson says the issues may soon be resolved - so let’s wait and see.

Our sports pages are jam-packed with news, covering not only soccer but also cricket, boxing, musangwe, and athletics.

Every week, Limpopo Mirror offers a special reading experience. It cannot be duplicated online - you won’t be interrupted by annoying pop-ups, and the newspaper doesn’t steal your information. And, of course, it’s recyclable.

06/02/2025

Saying we have a mixed bag of stories for our readers this week would probably be an understatement. It might be easier to mention what we don’t cover in this edition - like another Trumpism or photos of Kanye West’s wife at the Grammy Awards. No, we stick to local news, and if anyone wants to act scandalously, it needs to have happened here in Vhembe.

But we do have a few residents who occasionally raise eyebrows. One such person is Duthuni’s infamous “King of Crocodiles.” The SPCA and other animal welfare organisations were not impressed by the way he tried to “tame” a Nile crocodile. But, according to him, he was just trying to protect both the animal and the residents.

Someone who did go the extra mile to help her fellow residents is the street vendor from Siloam. Without hesitation, she jumped in to assist when a woman went into labour, helping bring a new baby into this sometimes harsh world. Well done!

Our well-known snake catcher, Denzel Ncube, had a bit of a scare when a black mamba turned on him and gave him a taste of its venom. Once again, this proves that snakes - like most politicians - can never be trusted.

Another interesting article this week is about a donation to Ketlani Primary School. A schoolgirl from Pretoria designed innovative “desks” that fold up into cases where pupils can store their books and stationery, then roll them home. Even better, they come equipped with solar panels and USB ports.

Turning to the back pages, we check in on our local soccer teams. Black Leopards lost – again - and did the predictable: they fired the coaches. At least one thing is consistent in top soccer clubs. Three strikes and you’re out. It’s never the players’ fault; it’s always the coach.

We counted 46 stories in this week’s Limpopo Mirror, along with marketing news, legal advertisements, vacancies and plenty of tender announcements.

There’s no excuse for not grabbing a copy. Get yours and support local journalism!

30/01/2025

It’s been another busy week, filled with court cases, shootings, protest marches, and the arrests of suspects for murder and kidnapping. Mpheni Defenders also surprised many by knocking Hungry Lions out of the Nedbank Cup. (And we heard yesterday that they will now face Sundowns in the next round!)

But let’s start with someone who seems to love publicity—Livhuwani Madadzhe, better known as SABC Livhu. It appears the skeletons of his past continue to haunt him. In 2017, he was accused of faking his mother’s death to claim insurance money. Now, state prosecutors believe these charges should be reinstated and added to the murder charge he is currently facing.

Last week, news broke that kidnapped Louis Trichardt businessman Eddie Gouveia had been found in Vuwani, bringing partial relief to his family after more than three months of uncertainty. The number of arrests related to the case has now risen to twelve.

With 44 articles plus commercial news, there isn’t enough space to summarise everything in this week’s Limpopo Mirror, but here are some of the key headlines:

* Valdezia residents protest over their ‘one-nurse clinic’
* Man (41) shot dead at Maila tavern
* ANC disbands RECs in three regions
* Relief for Mathivha as attempted murder charge is withdrawn
* Missing woman’s body found, boyfriend arrested
* Accused appears in court over 2020 robbery in which a security guard died
* Nthetsheleseni Secondary transforms into one of Vhembe’s jewels
* Ligege Secondary celebrates another 100% pass rate
* Premier launches Marula Festival
* Vhembe farmers suffer as region’s roads deteriorate
* Tshakhuma residents still battling decade-long water crisis
* SAFA increases travel fees for referees
* Black Leopards ready to beat Leruma United

And that’s not even all! Be sure to grab a copy of this week’s Limpopo Mirror.

23/01/2025

The court ruling prohibiting traditional leaders from taxing people has truly set the cat among the pigeons. At first, there seemed to be a quiet phase where no one wanted to comment. Now, we’ve entered the denial phase, with many leaders, such as Mailausumbwa Kennedy Tshivhase, arguing that there are no compulsory levies. Across the region, residents appear to pay the prescribed charges simply because they believe it’s the right thing to do.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. The Limpopo Premier and the Minister have remained largely silent, despite the court ruling ordering them to provide clarity to traditional leaders.

Meanwhile, Vhembe’s traditional leaders grabbed headlines last week as the battle over who will become the next king or queen of the Vhavenda played out in the High Court. Vho-Japan Mphephu testified, arguing that Princess Masindi cannot be queen because she does not descend from a dzekiso wife.

Unfortunately, crime reports take up significant space in this week’s newspaper. At Tshivhilidulu Phomolong, a well-known bricklayer was allegedly killed by his wife. In Manyii, in the Nzhelele area, a man reportedly killed his wife and her son before fleeing. At Siloam, the discarded body of a newborn was discovered. In the Ha-Mphego community, residents took matters into their own hands, re-arresting a man who allegedly killed his 14-month-old daughter. He had escaped from Tshilidzini Hospital last week but was traced (and badly beaten) by community members.

On a more positive yet bittersweet note, Rivoni School for the Blind’s long-awaited new facility remains incomplete. The R168 million project was supposed to be finished last year, but delays continue as the contractor has been placed in business rescue. Hopefully, the learners will move into the new school by April this year.

Of course, this space is too small to capture all the news you’ll find in this week’s Limpopo Mirror. We’ve counted 48 articles, not including notices, announcements, and the all-important adverts.
Reading a newspaper remains an enjoyable and enlightening experience—something that can’t be replaced. Make sure to grab your copy of this week’s Limpopo Mirror.

16/01/2025

We cannot begin discussing this week’s news without first congratulating the matric class of 2024. These young men and women have made our region proud through their dedication and hard work, which shone through in their excellent results. The top learner, Nzumbululo Todani, hails from Vhembe, and schools like Mbilwi High once again stole the show with their outstanding achievements. A heartfelt "well done" to all the learners, teachers, parents, school governing bodies, and everyone else who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this success possible.

Our lead story this week addresses a sensitive and pressing issue: the levies imposed by traditional leaders. This longstanding practice is particularly common in Vhembe, where rural residents are required to pay fees to traditional councils for various services. However, the country’s highest court has ruled that this practice is unlawful. This decision presents a significant challenge, as many traditional councils rely on these levies to fund their services. The implications of this ruling will undoubtedly be far-reaching - stay tuned as we continue to cover this unfolding story.

Crime remains a harsh reality for our community. Earlier this week, we were confronted with yet another brutal murder. Popular traffic officer and former sports star, Patric “Gemo” Netshidzivhani, was tragically killed on Sunday, and his vehicle was stolen while he was exercising near Khunguni village. Four suspects have since been arrested.

In this week’s edition, we also report on several other sad losses. Kanukani Maphubu (41), councillor for Ward 9 in the Makhado Municipality, passed away last week following a short illness. Maphubu, who served a ward that includes parts of Louis Trichardt, was highly regarded and well-loved in his community.

Another loss is that of Vhamusanda Vho Phaswana Edward Ramukhuba (78), a traditional leader and executive member of Contralesa in Vhembe. He was remembered as a selfless leader dedicated to improving the lives of those in his community.

On the sports front, we recap the Thohoyandou derby, where VFC thwarted Black Leopards’ plans to climb the league standings. VFC, fighting to avoid relegation, had a point to prove to their new coach. Judging by their intense training sessions in recent weeks, VFC is determined to make an impression in the upcoming Nedbank Cup clashes.

There’s far too much happening in this week’s edition to summarize it all here. From local achievements to pressing community issues, we’re sure there’s something of interest for everyone. Grab your copy of the paper and enjoy the read!

09/01/2025

“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me. … And I’m feelin’ good.”

This, of course, comes from a song that Nina Simone first recorded in 1965. At the time, it was described as a “booming song of emancipation.” But as we begin a new year, we can perhaps use it as motivation to tackle the challenges ahead.

We need to believe that we can create a new life. We must believe that we can rid our communities of corrupt politicians and officials. We must believe that the good in society will triumph over the bad. We need to stay positive about our ability to make 2025 a success.

Our first printed edition of the year has already hit the streets. This year, we will do our utmost to help our local community effect the changes we so desperately need. We will strive to make sense of the news and reflect what we believe society requires. But we cannot do this alone - we need the assistance and regular feedback of our readers. Please talk to us and tell us what news you need to help you achieve your goals.

We begin the year by investigating what happened at the Nandoni Dam in December when thousands of dead fish washed up on the shores. It remains unclear why the fish died and why only one species was affected. Can residents trust their water sources? This is a developing story, but we aim to make sense of the information currently available.

Sadly, the good rains of recent weeks also brought raging rivers. Several drowning incidents were reported. At Ha-Musekwa, residents are still searching for a three-year-old boy who disappeared in the Nzhelele River on Monday.

Last week, a bus overturned on the N1 just north of the Waterpoort turnoff. In the article we’ve included, we also address what commuters should do when they witness reckless driving.

An interesting drama is unfolding at Ganyane Primary School. The school governing body selected what they believed was the perfect candidate for the maths teacher’s post. The education department, however, had other ideas. While the dispute continues, the learners remain without a teacher.

In this week’s edition, we also report on numerous soccer championships held over the festive period. Clearly, our local sportsmen and -women were very active, with some earning handsome rewards for their efforts.

This weekend, the all-important derby at Thohoyandou Stadium takes place. Black Leopards will face VFC, and for both teams, a win is crucial. Leopards aim to climb the log, while VFC are fighting for survival.

These are just some of the articles you’ll find in the Limpopo Mirror. When you buy a copy of the paper, it’s about much more than just pages of newsprint. It’s an investment in a new dawn, a new day, and a new life for many. And it makes you feel good!

18/12/2024

This week's newsletter appears a day earlier, so if you haven't yet subscribed, go to https://limpopomirror.co.za/subscribe and do so. (You need to do it before Thursday morning at 06:00, when the newsletter goes out.) The newsletter provides you with early links to the articles and a direct link to the Flipbook pages. Subscribe and become part of our family.

18/12/2024

It is alleged that Mathivha was involved in an accident with a vehicle driven by a woman. A heated argument apparently ensued, and when the woman got out of her car, she was allegedly struck and injured by Mathivha’s vehicle.

Well-known former journalist, spokesperson, and political commentator Fhumulani Kenneth Mathivha (66) spent two nights in jail after being arrested on attempted murder charges. He is accused of trying to run down a woman with his car following a vehicle accident.

18/12/2024

And that’s 50 editions - done and dusted.

The year 2024 is now officially over - at least in newspaper terms. You can now grab your final edition for the year, with the next one set to hit the stands in the second week of January.

Once you get your hands on the Limpopo Mirror, you’ll, as always, be blown away by the variety of news and useful information inside. It’s a genuine “old-school” experience where the reader is treated like royalty.

Of course, we don’t make the news; we simply report on it. Unfortunately, this means the paper carries its share of “bad news.” Stories this week include reports on r**e, vigilante attacks, and teen suicides. A woman from Itsani allegedly set her husband’s house on fire in a fit of anger, and a young man is accused of fatally shooting his 16-year-old friend.

But we also take a closer look at the frustrations of our local communities. For instance, despite R20 million being spent on the Mashau Doli water project, nearby villages are still waiting for running water in their taps. At Valdezia, residents have had enough of the cramped, foul-smelling clinic and are pressuring the government to ensure proper services are delivered.

As a special year-end treat, we asked our content contributors to share their reflections on 2024. They wrote about the stories that stood out for them, and it makes for some fascinating reading.

A standout story in this week’s paper involves Vhafamadi High School. A few years ago, the school made headlines for all the wrong reasons when its name was linked to fraud investigations at the National Lotteries Commission - though this had nothing to do with its teachers or students. This past month, however, the school made headlines for all the right reasons. Several of its teams competed in the FLL robotics challenge, and the learners performed exceptionally well. It was a pleasure to report on their successes for a change.

Finally, there’s little good news to share about our two top soccer teams. Both Leopards and VFC lost their matches over the weekend. Leopards might still turn things around, but for VFC, it’s looking like a sinkhole.

Enjoy this final edition of the year, and may you all have a blessed Christmas and New Year. We’ll see you again in 2025. Take care!

12/12/2024

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...

Not everyone may agree with Andy Williams’ song, especially if they’ve been victims of the rampant crime in our communities. In Tshino Thondoni, in the Vuwani area, the community is so fed up with cable thieves that they even celebrate when one of these criminals gets electrocuted. It is tragic that people would rejoice in the death of another human being, but the damage these thieves inflict on communities is immense.

It seems our Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, shares their frustration. Speaking to residents at Tshakhuma, she urged them not to protect drug dealers. She vowed that the gloves are off and that drug peddlers will be dealt with decisively.

Another case where “the gloves are off” appears to be at the Makhado Municipality. A few weeks ago, we reported on vehicles being confiscated by the sheriff of the court over outstanding payments to a debtor. This story seems to have deeper implications, to the extent that one of our reporters even received death threats. Why would this issue be so sensitive?

In this week’s Limpopo Mirror, we cover a wide range of crimes. A must-read is the article about a r**e victim from Ngwenani, who has been fighting for almost four years to get her assailant to stand trial. It is mind-boggling how ineffective the legal system can be at times. The article also offers guidelines on how people can assist r**e victims.

On a more positive note, we report on the past weekend’s TSHIMAs and feature photos of some of the winners. We’ve also included pictures of winners from various pageants held over the past month.

As for sport, we focus mainly on soccer and boxing this week. With teams about to take a December break, knock-out tournaments are helping keep them busy. Let’s hope Black Leopards and VFC can end the year on a high note by collecting valuable league points in their final matches of 2024.

Your Limpopo Mirror is out on the streets, so grab a copy. It may be “old school”, but it’s still a great read.

05/12/2024

What a week!

This year is clearly ending with a bang. On Tuesday, this became literal when a labour dispute escalated into a shootout on the N1 in Louis Trichardt. The main arterial road to the north was closed for several hours as police worked to resolve the fracas.
But let’s move on to other compelling stories in this week’s edition of the Limpopo Mirror.

In Tshakhuma, a “wayward son” allegedly set fire to his parents’ house, tragically claiming the life of his 91-year-old grandmother.

This past week, we also bid farewell to two talented local artists. Renowned mbila player Vhavenda Vho JK Mathoho (86) passed away last Friday, and the following day, beloved local actor Ndivhuho Munyai tragically lost his life in a vehicle accident.
And what would the Limpopo Mirror be without some controversy?

Last month, we reported on the appointment of politician Frank Chililo as Makhado Municipality’s regional manager in Dzanani. Through his legal team, Chililo argued that we defamed him by insinuating he was “deployed.” According to Chililo, he applied for the position like many others and was simply the best candidate for the job.

That may very well be true, but his fellow ANC cadres told the court that his appointment was politically driven. Some of our readers have also chimed in with a saying: if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck.

At the Mirror, we reflect what happens in our community, steering clear of such duck ponds.

This week’s edition features no fewer than 41 uniquely local stories. Some are short, others are in-depth, but there’s bound to be something for everyone.

If you’re up for it, check out the article about the prosecutions in the VBS case. The NPA has already claimed several scalps, and they’re not stopping. We’ve been assured it’s only a matter of time before other culprits are brought to book. We’ve also examined who was involved at each municipality.

Be sure to grab a copy of this week’s Limpopo Mirror before it sells out!

01/12/2024

Tributes have been pouring in following the untimely death of one of Limpopo province's most talented actors, Ndivhuho Munyai. Munyai, widely known as Mareda and more recently as Major 100 in the Phalaphala FM soapie Ndi Yone Mini Yeneyi, has left an indelible mark on the local arts scene.

28/11/2024

If you're not getting our weekly newsletter, you are definitely missing out. It's not just a sneak preview of what you can expect on the website, but it also allows you access to articles that have not gone live yet. Just head to www.limpopomirror.co.za/subscribe and submit the form. the next newsletter goes out on Friday morning at 06:00.

28/11/2024

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …

Yes, the decorations have appeared in shopfronts, Boney M’s carols are streaming from the loudspeakers, and children are growing impatient as they wait for the holidays to begin.

The sad part is that criminals also seem eager to do some last-minute stealing. This past week, we saw tragic evidence of this when a well-known businessman from Shayandima was shot and killed. It seems that nowadays, a life isn’t even worth the bakkie you’re driving.

But before we all start singing along with Michael Bublé, let’s take a look at what this week’s Limpopo Mirror has to offer.

We revisit a previous story: the appointment of a former councillor as a senior official at Makhado Municipality. The debate doesn’t seem to be about whether cadre deployment should be implemented, but rather about who does the deploying. In the process, some other dirty laundry is being aired in public.

On a hopefully positive note, it appears that the R522, the road connecting Louis Trichardt to Vivo, may finally be repaired. After the previous contractor’s contract was terminated, a new contractor has been appointed.

Meanwhile, the tensions surrounding the proposed Kutama Mall show no signs of easing. In the latest twist, community members have vowed to cancel the lease agreement with the developers. However, the reality is that in areas under the jurisdiction of a traditional leader, decisions like these aren’t made by a show of hands. The authority to terminate the agreement lies solely with the Thovhele.

In sports, it must be said that one of the toughest jobs has to be coaching one of the region’s top teams. When you know your players have the talent but just can’t secure maximum points, it must be frustrating enough to make you want to pull your hair out. Perhaps that explains why so many coaches are bald! Let’s hope both Black Leopards and VFC can bag some points this weekend. We’re also keeping our fingers crossed for Leopards as they face Cape Town Spurs in the Nedbank Cup qualification round on Wednesday.

And now, back to Michael Bublé’s lyrics:

Soon the bells will start; And the thing that’ll make them ring is the carol that you sing, Right within your heart.

May you have a blessed week.

21/11/2024

The games people play …

Eric Berne, a Canadian psychiatrist, first published his influential book Games People Play in 1964. In it, Berne introduced the concept of "games" as a series of social interactions driven by ulterior motives and predictable outcomes, often resulting in psychological payoffs for the participants.

How often have we stepped back, declaring that we’re not interested in all these games? Just simplify our lives and end the charades.

It seems there’s a lot of game-playing going on in the Vhembe municipalities. Perhaps it’s linked to the upcoming regional conference in a few weeks. The region is suddenly awash with accusations, counteraccusations, and an air of secrecy.

This week, a tenderpreneur took the Makhado Municipality to court over unpaid debts. The first question that comes to mind is: why doesn’t the municipality settle its debts? If there’s a dispute, why not resolve it ethically and legally?

But this is just the tip of the iceberg, and it cannot be seen as an isolated incident. The real issue is that these games are costing us, the taxpayers, enormous amounts of money—funds that could have been used to improve services.

In this week’s Limpopo Mirror, we feature almost 50 stories, each offering a unique snapshot of life in the Vhembe region. The articles range from court cases to news about book launches. Some are sombre, such as the report on Venetia Mine’s plans to scale down. Others are inspiring, like Ndiitwani Rerani’s thriving car wash business in Mauluma, Nzhelele.

We also provide helpful advice, such as in the piece explaining how to check if your prepaid electricity meter is up to date. And we search for rays of hope—like the possibility of lighting for the Verwoerd Tunnels, quite literally brightening the end of the tunnel.

It’s all there, just for you. Pick up a copy and enjoy!

15/11/2024

On Thursday, a local resident out hunting in the bushes made the grisly discovery.

The body of a traditional leader from Khakhaṅwa Mulenzhe, outside Thohoyandou, was found in a bushy area a few kilometres from his home on Thursday. He had gone missing on Saturday, 2 November, prompting a frantic search by family and local community members.

14/11/2024

If you have not yet subscribed to our weekly newsletter, now is the time to do so. Every Friday morning, at 05:45, the newsletter gets delivered in your inbox. This, however, is much more than just a summary of what you can expect on our website. It gives you early access to unpublished articles and it even allows you to read a digital Flipbook. All you need to do is subscribe, at www.limpopomirror.co.za/subscribe. (But do so before 05:00 tomorrow morning.)

14/11/2024

For those not lucky enough to be in the Vhembe region—you’re missing out. The rain earlier this week transformed every dull corner into a lush green carpet. Even neglected sidewalks where nothing seemed to grow now have a fresh green tint. It’s amazing how quickly nature responds to the rain.

Now, let’s take a look at what’s in this week’s newspaper.

Our main article covers what feels like a family squabble, with the courts asked to step in and mediate. Four Makhado councillors are unhappy with the appointment of one of their former colleagues to a senior administrative post. They believe he helped create the position, participated in the selection process, and essentially nominated himself for the role. However, the court ruled that the matter was not urgent and suggested they should have resolved it among themselves.

But Makhado isn’t the only place where tensions are surfacing. At the Vhembe District Municipality, the mayor is facing accusations of interfering in the hiring process for general workers.

Crime, unfortunately, remains a serious issue. In Khalavha, a young girl was abducted, r**ed, and killed. Residents believe the perpetrator is a known criminal who should not have been allowed to roam freely.

In Tshianda, a gang targeted a group of women, stealing their stokvel money. This despicable act deserves severe punishment, and those responsible should join the Khalavha murderer behind bars where, should the keys to their cells go missing, no one would need to search too hard.

On a lighter note, the finalists for the Tshimas have been announced, and we publish the full list of nominees across the various categories.

In sports, we cover last weekend’s wins and losses and introduce a “newcomer” to Vhembe: Winnerspark. The team is now based in Mukondeni and will train in Louis Trichardt.

All this and much more in this week’s Limpopo Mirror. Don’t miss your copy!