THOHOYANDOU – Police have arrested eight foreign nationals for illegal sand miningand violating immigration laws during a targeted operation conducted on Thursday in the Thohoyandou policing area of Limpopo According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba the operation was activated following reports of unauthorised sand extraction at Manamani Village near the Dzingi River officers found the suspects actively engaged in sand mining without valid permits “Police tactically approached the group who failed to produce any documentation authorizing them to mine or confirming their legal status in the country They were immediately arrested for illegal mining and contravening the Immigration Act,” said Ledwaba The suspects are expected to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court soon Investigations are continuing to determine whether more individuals or organized operations are linked to the illicit activity Read also: Two illegal sand miners sentenced to six months imprisonment in Nzhelele village https://tzaneenvoice.co.za/two-illegal-sand-miners-sentenced-to-six-months-imprisonment-in-nzhelele-village/ Authorities have urged community members to report any suspicious or illegal mining activities to the nearest police station or through the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111 and website in this browser for the next time I comment We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Home | South Africa The Thohoyandou High Court in Limpopo has warned murder accused and social media influencer, Livhuwani Madadzhe, against using tactics to evade trial. This after Madazhe’s lawyer told the court that he would not be able to take the witness stand due to ill health. However, Judge Thogomelani Tshidada says he had been made aware of Madadzhe’s attempts to solicit sick notes to avoid attending court. Madadzhe is accused of killing his partner, Lindelani Nengovhela, two years ago. He allegedly dumped her body in a waterlogged pit toilet at Sidou-Mangodi outside Thohoyandou. Judge Tshidada read text messages from Madadzhe to a medical doctor asking for a sick note. “The application that is currently being made by the defence council, when I view them against these messages that were transmitted to me, they cast doubt on this application from yesterday morning. He has been attempting to obtain a sick note from a doctor.” “I must commend [the doctor], at this stage, he acted professionally by making sure that he brings this to the attention of the court. That the accused is attempting to solicit a sick note that evade attendance,” explains Judge Tshidada. The National Council of Provinces committee whip in the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Advocate Inkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana says the porous Beitbridge border and the effect of illegal foreigners on the local economy and high crime statistics of rape and sexual assault are some of the challenges affecting the residents of Thohoyandou. Nonkonyana tabled a report to the NCOP compiled after their visit to the Beitbridge border post, the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court and the Thohoyandou police station in October last year. He says while there’s a good working relationship between the police and the Border Management Authority, tensions still existed with other departments that are operating in silos and are only focusing on their mandates. Nonkonyana says there is a need for integration and cooperation to enhance cohesion and better management of the border. He says some of their recommendations include refurbishing old and outdated infrastructure and dealing with corruption and fraud committed by some of the border officials. Copyright © 2022Capricorn FM.All rights reserved The Thohoyandou area in the former Venda homeland is the most dangerous place in Limpopo maintaining its notorious status as the provincial crime capital This is according to the latest provincial crime statistics of the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year These were released by provincial police commissioner Thohoyandou police station is among the top 30 stations in the country to record violent crime The most prevalent crimes in the area relate to sexual offences Hadebe said the escalating crime wave in the Thohoyandou area is of grave concern Thohoyandou is followed by Seshego near Polokwane and Mankweng where the University of Limpopo is located These are where criminals run amok with impunity Thohoyandou has been plagued by a wave of contact crimes Also car jacking and gender-based violence (GBV) The area has experienced a series of mob justice incidents recently Angry residents are taking the law into their hands And they often cite loss of confidence in the police and the justice system Hadebe said the scourge of GBV works against the dream of building a safe and a socially cohesive province She said: “As the law enforcement authorities we will continue to work together with civil society organisations This to foster a collaborative effort in dealing with the GBV pandemic “We acknowledge the pivotal role of law enforcement in tackling these matters And we must also recognise that pro-active policing has brought us closer to significant progress “Our initiatives have yielded a notable 9.8% increase in crimes detected as a result of police interventions With significant rises in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” She said they come at a time when the province is still reeling from shock She was referring to the brutal murders of Maria Makgato and Kudzai Ndlovu The two women were brutally murdered and fed to pigs on a farm outside Polokwane She said: “We are also taken aback with the recent spike of criminal activities in the areas around Masisi This is where criminals brazenly ambush residents in their homes and forcefully take their belongings “These incidents did not feature in this report “Together with the provincial commissioner we have crafted a series of intervention mechanisms This in order to deal with incidents of cross-border crime in Masisi And we have made serious inroads on that front We will continue with our endeavours to fight crime to ensure that the people of this province are safe.” Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tel: +27 11 268 6300 Fundudzi Media (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms & conditions and privacy policy. police have arrested a 60-year-old man who allegedly posed as a state official and attempted to extort R15 000 from a woman by promising to secure her son a job in the Department of Correctional Services According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba was arrested on April 29 in the Sibasa area under the Thohoyandou policing precinct Mugwari allegedly posed as a Department of Correctional Services officer and promised to help a woman secure employment for her son The incident reportedly took place last year on September 11 a female complainant was approached by an unknown African male who identified himself as a Correctional Services warder based in Thohoyandou He claimed he could assist her son in securing employment within the Department of Correctional Services in exchange for a payment of R15 000 the suspect contacted the complainant and requested an initial payment of R3 500 assuring her that training would commence soon met the suspect again and made additional payments as requested the complainant and her son met the suspect again at Thohoyandou SAPS where they were asked to sign a document and provide an additional payment of R7 000 in cash," he added a concerned individual informed the complainant’s son that the suspect was not a government employee Although initial efforts to locate the suspect failed he was later found at the Thohoyandou taxi rank He returned R5 000 and claimed to have spent R2 000 Ledwaba also shared that after the woman struggled to recover the remainder of her money she opened a case at the nearest police station "Following a formal complaint lodged on April 29 police opened a case and swiftly traced and arrested the suspect he was found in possession of a Correctional Services uniform," he said The 60-year-old suspect appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on April 30 and is expected to return on May 2 for a formal bail application acting provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo commended the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for their swift and effective work and issued a strong warning to those attempting to exploit vulnerable individuals He further urged community members to report any individuals who solicit money in exchange for employment opportunities and not fall victim to these unlawful schemes Home | Politics An urgent application to interdict the African National Congress (ANC) regional elective conference of the Vhembe region in Limpopo is being heard in the Thohoyandou High Court Some members of the ANC Regional Task Team are challenging the process to prepare the regional elective conference they state that the party’s NEC and PEC be interdicted from proceeding with elections of the leadership pending resolution of credentials of all the branches Judge Thogomelani Tshidada says the application is not ordinary and he therefore took time to read papers “While I was going through the papers these are not simple and ordinary application that one should pay lip service I had to take a little while to make sure that I go through the papers and understand the issues raised and arise from the papers,” says Tshidada The urgent application to interdict regional elective conference of the Vhembe region in Limpopo will be heard shortly in the Thohoyandou High court. Some members of the ANC Regional Task Team are challenging the process to prepare the regional elective conference. Judge… pic.twitter.com/EOs22Ge689 — Michael Makungo (@MichaelMakungo) May 4, 2025 THOHOYANDOU-A tragic accident involving multiple vehicles has occurred near Khoroni Hotel in Thohoyandou resulting in an unconfirmed number of fatalities Preliminary reports suggest that the accident was triggered by a bus experiencing brake failure causing it to lose control and collide with other vehicles on the road The exact number of casualties remains unknown and officials are yet to provide further information on the severity of injuries or fatalities involved Emergency services have responded swiftly to the scene working tirelessly to clear the wreckage and attend to the victims Local authorities have advised residents and commuters to avoid the area as investigations and rescue operations continue Updates will be provided as more information becomes available THOHOYANDOU – The Thohoyandou community and the broader Vhembe district are in mourning as a memorial service is held for Benjamin Mabuli a beloved motor mechanic and expert in gearboxes who was tragically gunned down in what police suspect was a robbery and car hijacking marks a sombre occasion for the Shayandima area where Mabuli was not just a skilled mechanic but also an influential member of the local business community had made a name for himself in the automotive repair industry Known affectionately as “Binja,” he was a well-respected entrepreneur from Ngovhela during what police are calling a cold-blooded murder The harrowing incident unfolded around 11:30 PM accompanied by a woman inside his white Toyota Fortuner was confronted by three unknown assailants Mabuli was forced to exit the vehicle and was searched before being instructed to sit in the backseat one of the attackers shot him twice in the upper body The assailants then fled the scene in Mabuli’s vehicle emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene to find that Mabuli had already succumbed to his injuries Authorities quickly launched a manhunt for the suspects and opened cases of murder and car hijacking the police are still working to determine the value of the stolen vehicle but the focus is on apprehending those responsible for this senseless crime Mabuli’s death comes just months after he had relocated to his new workshop premises marking a significant step forward in his career he had operated out of a makeshift shack in the industrial area of Shuma Park in Shayandima His sudden and tragic loss has left a deep void in the community as he was not only known for his technical skills but also for his integrity and commitment to his craft loved ones are reflecting on the legacy of a man who was a fixture of the Shayandima business scene and a trusted mechanic for countless residents and customers Mabuli’s funeral will take place on Sunday Local authorities are calling on the public to come forward with any information that may assist in the investigation has urged anyone with leads to contact him directly at 082 414 7763 tips can be shared through the MySAPSApp or any local police station Mabuli’s untimely death has left an entire community reeling but his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him as a hardworking kind-hearted man who dedicated his life to his work and family The hunt for justice continues as the search for the suspects responsible for this senseless act of violence persists Eyewitnesses in a multiple-car crash that claimed one life in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, want the authorities to rehabilitate the road At least one person has been confirmed dead while several others were injured and taken to hospital after a crash involving eleven vehicles Eyewitnesses say the bus that was traveling from Sibasa to Thohoyandou lost control and crashed into several stationary cars at the traffic lights They say this is not the first crash to happen at the spot “What happened here is very horrific The bus seemed to have failed brakes; it started hooting as it had lost control and what we saw was that the bus started hooting and that it had lost its brakes.” VIDEO| Thohoyandou Road closed after multi-vehicle crash suspected of being under the influence of alcohol allegedly fell asleep at the scene after hitting a mother and child on Sunday morning in Thohoyandou as the woman was crossing the road while carrying her child Both the mother and child received medical attention at Siloam Hospital Emergency services rushed the driver to the hospital where a blood alcohol test was administered to determine his level of intoxication Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident Some parts of the R524 road between Louis Trichardt and Thohoyandou in Limpopo have been washed away making it impassable due to localised flooding Motorists say they’re now forced to use long detours Malamulele and Giyani areas have been damaged Low-lying bridges were also washed away Motorist Anza Negota has expressed concerns saying the situation needs attention “It’s a very difficult situation for a person who drives between Tshakhuma and Thohoyandou every day to get to work Now every time you have to be checking on your tyres if they are not damaged We now have to be driving on a gravel road in order to pass because where it used to be a tar road now it is potholes all over,” says Negota VIDEO |Several roads affected in Limpopo due to flooding: Reports indicate that the plane was carrying three people – a pilot and two businessmen – who are believed to have sustained critical injuries Early information suggests the pilot may have been unable to execute an emergency landing at the Vuwani airstrip It’s suspected that a pilot failed to make an emergency landing at the Vuwani land strip Emergency services personnel are on the scene SABC News will carry more updates as they come in A light aircraft has crashed in Vuwani outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo. According to information, the aircraft was carrying three people, two businessmen and a pilot, who are suspected to have sustained critical injuries. Photo supplied: #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/4x6TYriqIE — Michael Makungo (@MichaelMakungo) March 23, 2025 POLOKWANE – The Limpopo High Court in Polokwane has handed down a life sentence to Mboneni Simon Ratshikata (56) of Muledane Village for the rape of a four-year-old girl Ratshikata was also sentenced to an additional three years for housebreaking with intent to commit an offence and malicious damage to property the state presented compelling evidence from witnesses Ratshikata threw stones at the windows of the victim’s homestead in Muledane Village When the victim’s brother left the house to seek assistance from the police Ratshikata forcibly entered the house and raped the young child the police found both Ratshikata and the victim naked state advocate Muneiwa Ratshibvumo highlighted the profound trauma experienced by the victim and the 13-year delay in finalizing the case due to the accused’s delaying tactics She emphasized the accused’s lack of remorse and argued for the imposition of the prescribed minimum sentence The court ultimately agreed with the state’s arguments and sentenced Ratshikata to life imprisonment The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence “This demonstrates that the long arm of the law finally caught up with the accused 13 years later.” She commended the diligent work of advocate Ratshibvumo and investigating officer Sergeant Mmbara Ndivhuwo from the Thohoyandou Family Violence Home | Business Residents of Tswinga and Tshitomboni outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo say they are shocked after discovering thousands of dead fish floating in the Nandoni dam Provincial authorities say they have collected samples for analysis Philip Munyai says they are waiting for the results “Indeed there is a lot of fish which can be carried by three bakkies so it’s a warning to the community members because people are allowed to go and fish but once you see a dead a fish how can you take that fish because you don’t know what killed the fish but yesterday Water Affairs came for their process of taking samples of water and fish for laboratory examination.” “So we don’t know the result and until such time you have to avoid and tell others not to touch,” he adds Thohoyandou-based hawkers say they are concerned that the incident may affect their business “I am very worried but at the same time I am relieved that I don’t sell the types of fish that died.” this is how we make income but for now we are not selling fish that were found dead.” was tragically found dead at Khunguni Mountain near Ha-Makhuvha village outside Thohoyandou earlier this week The discovery came after Netshidzivhani was reported missing on Sunday following his routine fitness exercise at the mountain Police confirmed that the officer had been strangled and four suspects—three men and a woman—have been arrested in connection with his murder Police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba provided a detailed account of the investigation that led to the arrests “The deceased reportedly went to Khunguni Mountain for his fitness routine and failed to return home The matter was immediately reported to the police and a missing person inquiry was opened,” Mashaba said resulting in the recovery of the traffic officer’s vehicle This critical piece of evidence led authorities to the suspects who were arrested within days of the officer’s disappearance All four individuals are from the local community and are expected to appear in court soon The news of Netshidzivhani’s death has sent shockwaves through the Thohoyandou community where he was well-regarded for his dedication to public service calling for swift justice against the perpetrators Patrick was a committed officer who always put the community first We hope the police ensure that justice is served,” said community leader David Matodzi In a separate and equally alarming incident an off-duty police officer was ambushed and shot multiple times by five armed men at Mashishing village the officer was attacked while parking his white Toyota Hilux bakkie near Library Gardens He attempted to defend himself but was shot again in the lower body and left unconscious,” Mashaba stated The attackers fled the scene with the officer’s service pistol The injured officer was rushed to a nearby hospital Police are investigating the incident and have launched a manhunt for the suspects The back-to-back attacks on law enforcement officers have raised serious concerns about the safety of those tasked with upholding the law in Limpopo The South African Police Service (SAPS) has condemned these incidents describing them as direct attacks on the justice system “These incidents are deeply troubling and demonstrate the increasing risks faced by our officers We will do everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe SAPS has called on the public to assist with information that could help in the investigations of both cases Mashaba urged residents to report any suspicious activity or individuals to their nearest police station or use the Crime Stop number “It’s crucial for communities to work with us to ensure that criminals are held accountable These attacks are not just on individuals but on the rule of law,” Mashaba said Limpopo has witnessed an uptick in violent crimes including attacks on law enforcement officials Experts attribute this trend to a combination of socio-economic challenges including high unemployment rates and organised crime activities the province has also seen increased incidents of armed robberies particularly in rural and semi-urban areas Law enforcement agencies are under growing pressure to address these challenges while ensuring the safety of their personnel The provincial government has condemned the attacks and pledged support for the affected families Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety visited Netshidzivhani’s family to offer condolences and vowed to prioritise the safety of law enforcement officers The South African Police Union (SAPU) has also weighed in calling for better resources and protective measures for officers especially those operating in high-risk areas 🔴Central News Weekly Edition 087🔴 Download the Latest Edition | Top Story: “Building ‘The Ngwathe We Want’:Dr Mothamaha Drives Cost-EffectiveSolutions with New Fleet Acquisitions” https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za For Business Related:business@centralnews.co.za Newsroom:Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za Office Administrator:admin@centralnews.co.za Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin POLOKWANE-Thohoyandou High Court has sentenced Tsireledzo Makhadi (35) from Ha-Magidi Sibasa to life imprisonment plus an additional 232 years for a string of heinous crimes The court ordered that the 232 years of imprisonment will run concurrently with the life sentence and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition the state presented witnesses who testified that between July 2015 and August 2016 The victims were subjected to horrific ordeals including being threatened with a crowbar and pangas while being robbed of valuable items such as motor vehicles a victim was raped multiple times and left stranded in an unfamiliar area State Advocate Nnyambeni Nekhambele argued that Makhadi and his accomplice acted with a common purpose to terrorize the communities and that Makhadi should be permanently removed from society finding no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentence Ivy Thenga expressing hope that the ruling will serve as a deterrent to potential offenders Thenga also commended Advocate Nekhambele and all stakeholders involved in achieving the outcome has been temporarily closed following a multiple-car crash Traffic spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene says emergency personnel are at the scene and it is not yet clear if there have been fatalities. Chuenu is urging motorists to use alternative routes “We have a road closure alert and this is due to a multi-vehicle accident that occurred earlier this morning on Friday on road P277 … directly opposite Khoroni Hotel in Toyota Street The road is currently closed to allow emergency services to respond to the incident So if you are planning to travel through the area please be aware of the closure and consider alternative routes to avoid delays Stay safe on the roads and we’ll keep you updated on any further developments.” — Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 25, 2024 Tsakani Masia made headlines as the owner of the newly launched Premier Hotel Thohoyandou a R200 million investment that marks a significant milestone in South African business and construction history a distinguished businesswoman and entrepreneur not only owns the four-star hotel but also achieved the unprecedented feat of constructing it as a contractor showcasing her exceptional versatility and determination Located in the rapidly developing town of Thohoyandou within the Thulamela Municipal area of Limpopo’s Vhembe District the Premier Hotel is poised to become a central hub for both business and leisure travelers the hotel offers a range of amenities designed to meet the needs of its guests These include a conference space capable of hosting up to 450 delegates “It’s been a privilege to have been afforded a unique opportunity to work as both a technical guide during construction and an operator upon completion ” Her dual role as both the builder and owner of the hotel is a remarkable achievement The launch of the hotel also drew praise from Premier Hotels & Resorts with COO Sigal Nassimov emphasizing the company’s commitment to expanding into previously marginalized areas “Partnering with remarkable entrepreneurs such as Masia is integral to our strategy of growth and empowerment across South Africa,” Nassimov stated highlighting the group’s dedication to stimulating local economies As South Africa’s Women’s Month drew to a close the opening of the Premier Hotel Thohoyandou stands as a powerful symbol of the empowerment of women Tsakani Masia’s leadership in both the construction and operation of the hotel not only represents a significant economic boost for the region but also serves as an inspiring example of what is possible when women are given the opportunity to lead and innovate in male-dominated industries The completion of the R200 million Premier Hotel Thohoyandou marks a new chapter in the region’s development proving that with vision and determination The Thohoyandou High Court in Limpopo has heard that a social media socialite accused of murdering his partner contacted a funeral parlor to collect the body from the scene before police and the family of the deceased arrived A retired police officer, Avhatakali Tshifularo was cross-examined by the prosecutor, Nduvheni Mulangaphuma in the murder trial against Livhuwani Madadzhe.  Madadzhe is accused of killing his partner and the mother of his two children He is being tried in the high court sitting at the Watervaal Magistrates Court outside Louis Trichardt in Limpopo Avhatakali Tshifularo testified that the deceased Lindelani Nengovhela had scratches on her throat He also told the court that her stomach was flat which meant that she was not drowned inside pit Tshifularo said he found it suspicious that Madadzhe contacted a funeral parlor before contacting the police and family “I enquired from him that now your organizing for the deceased to be collected He said he did not contact any of the deceased’s family,” says Tshifularo Ntsako Hlungwane made an application for the matter to be adjourned to Tuesday to enable him to prepare for cross-examination Judge Thogomenani Tshidada granted the application “Preperation is very important to a legal representative representing an accused in a matter of this magnitude You will be then be granted that application for the purposes of preparing yourself to commence with the cross-examination of Colonel Avhatakali Tshifularo tomorrow morning.” Colonel Tshifularo will be cross-examined by advocate Hlungwane when the matter resumes on Tuesday About two  more witnesses are expected to testify before the state closes its case