The proposed electronic voting (e-voting) system for future South African elections has hit turbulence even before implementation, with the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and major opposition parties shooting it down for various reasons. IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo believes that the electronic voting method for the country is a little unrealistic, at least for the time being, given the nation’s difficulties providing free internet access to its citizens. Mamabolo, who is supported by the sworn enemies UMkhonto weSizwe…

The ANC in the Vhembe region, Limpopo, has modified its road map to the highly contested elective conference and decided on the venue following weeks of delays and uncertainty about the gathering.  According to ANC Vhembe Secretary Rudzani Ludere, the conference will be held at the Kalahari Water Front at Ha-Budeli in Thohoyandou on May 3-4. He said on January 17th, the Regional Task Team (RTT) approved the new road map at its first meeting held to prepare for the…

The much anticipated ANC Vhembe regional conference appears to have been postponed indefinitely after being marred by logistical and membership verification challenges.  Party regional spokesperson Gumani Mukwevho revealed that the ANC’s elective conference, which was supposed to be held at Nando Dam Resort on March 10th, has been postponed until the party has organised its affairs. Collins Chabane Municipality senior official Simon Mavikane is challenging incumbent regional chairperson and Limpopo’s Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Tshitereke Matibe, who seeks…

Mphaphuli Consulting’s efforts to prevent the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) from recovering R76 million from a Limpopo municipality overpaid for electricity services have been dealt a severe blow.   The Constitutional Court has refused the engineering company direct access to apply for the reviewing and setting aside of the SIU report, which found Mphaphuli Consulting had overcharged the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality when it electrified Sekhukhune villages in 2013 as part of a transversal contract. The Apex Court’s ruling essentially prevents…

NEWLY-elected Limpopo ANC Youth League Provincial Secretary Phineas Sebola has used his address to the elective conference in Polokwane to attack Gauteng ANC Chairperson and Premier Panyaza Lesufi, in what appears to be a factional battle before the governing party’s 2027 national conference.  Lesufi, believed to be a contender to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa as party leader, has been attacked in recent months by ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, one of the candidates alongside Deputy President Paul Mashatile. In recent…

Patients, including pregnant women, have allegedly been forced to use pit latrines and beg for water to drink pills after a Limpopo healthcare facility experienced a water shortage for three consecutive months.  Residents of Hlaniki Village outside Giyani say the situation at the local clinic is so dire that patients are forced to drink water stored in dustbins after the Limpopo Department of Health failed to solve the problem.  According to sources, including insiders and healthcare professionals, patients could hardly…

After failing to defend a claim for outstanding payments, the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison has paid a service provider more than R90 million, including interests. Makanyoga General, a security company previously contracted by the department to render services at government sites, obtained a default judgement in 2023 after taking the government to court over a R75 million payment dispute. This is according to the department’s reply to a parliamentary question by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Mpumalanga…

Two Grade 10 learners from the Vhembe East District in Limpopo have committed suicide after failing Grade 10.  The separate incidents happened at Mphaphuli High School and Thohoyandou Technical School on Wednesday after the two male pupils received their report cards. In a statement released on Friday, December 13, the Limpopo Department of Education said it was discomforted by the news of the learners’ passing. Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. “The Limpopo Department…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has pounced on a Free State municipality over suspected tender irregularities and maladministration involving water supply contracts.  Assisted by the Hawks and the South African Police Service (SAPS), the unit’s members swooped on the Masilonyana Local Municipality’s premises in Welkom. They seized documents relating to tenders for the Brandfort Water Treatment Works and Raw Water Pump Stations and the upgrading of the Brandfort Sports Centre Phase II including payment records and electronic devices.  The SIU…

The future of the Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo looks uncertain again after the by-elections failed to produce an outright winner. Even though the African National Congress (ANC) won the majority of the votes in the December 4 by-elections, it will need the help of the Economic Freedom Fighters or Democratic Alliance (DA) to govern the hung and chaotic council until the 2026 Local Government Elections. This is because the by-elections in the iron mining town produced no outright victory,…