The Crestcare Zoutpansberg Private Hospital in Louis Trichardt has come under new management with the appointment of Mr Kobus Nel as acting hospital manager. He took over last week from Ms Anneke Stroebel, who has been part of the hospital’s history for almost two decades now.

Three boys from the Magau area appeared in court last week on murder charges after they had allegedly stabbed a 62-year-old man to death, following an argument at a tavern.

Suspects allegedly cut through the roof at Elim Mall to gain access to one of the major stores, PEP Cell, on Friday, 19 April. The thieves stole an undisclosed amount of cash and cellphones. This robbery occurred just three months after the Total Sports store at the mall was robbed of 16 pairs of shoes, 56 cellphones, and other items such as school bags.

A former mayor of Tshwane Municipality, Dr. Murunwa Makwarela, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning, April 23. Makwarela had strong ties to Vhembe and grew up in Tshitereke village, next to Donald Fraser Hospital.

The arrest and subsequent appearance in court of the man who had allegedly murdered his wife at Tshivaloni came as a great relief to the family and members of the local community. After allegedly hacking his estranged wife, Ms Nkhetheni Mudau, with what is believed to have been an axe, the perpetrator, Humbulani Nethengwe, fled the scene, leaving her dead body in a pool of blood. The incident occurred at Tshivaloni village, Niani, on Monday, 15 April, at around 10:30.

The hit-style murders and elimination of suspected gang members in the Vhembe District continue unabated. The past week saw another killing in what appears to be a systematic and ruthless culling of gang leaders.

The case against the two suspects who had allegedly instructed students preparing for their matric examinations last year to remove their clothes before robbing them has been postponed to 2 May for further police investigations.

More than 70 traditional leaders from the Tshivhase dynasty joined thousands of mourners who converged at the Tshidimbini traditional kraal to pay their last respects to Vhamusanda Vho Mulingoni Mukhese Eric Tshivhase, who was laid to rest at the royal graveyard on Saturday morning. Tshivhase (53), better known as “Rambo” because of his prowess in various sporting codes, passed away after a short illness on Saturday, 13 April.

With only two matches remaining till the end of the season, which of the teams affiliated with the Limpopo Stream of the ABC Motsepe League will qualify for the promotional playoffs and which ones will face the relegation axe is still unclear. The teams will play their second-last league matches this weekend.

The well-known sports personality and former coach of Venda athletics and netball teams, Mr Mamba Patrick Nthangeni (69), passed away at the Phuluso Netcare Hospital in Polokwane on 21 April after a long illness. During his life, Nthangeni served as the coach of the Univen and Venda netball teams. He was also a coach at the former Finyazwananda Technical College, now known as Vhembe FET.

Napoli FC were crowned the champions of the Lumveleni Easter Soccer Tournament after defeating Manamani Blue Birds 1-0 in the final at the Ngudza Grounds last Sunday.

Well-known veteran cricket player from Louis Trichardt, Yahya Jiwa, has been selected for the national side that will represent South Africa in the upcoming Over-50s Africa Cup and early next year in the Over-50s Cricket World Cup.

After failing to reach the final of the Lumveleni Easter Soccer Tournament at the Ngudza Grounds last Saturday, Musasenda Big Five rose to the occasion and beat Mukula Young Santos 3-0 to lift the Vision Soccer Tournament trophy at the Khubvi Benjie’s Grounds on Sunday. The winner was determined via penalty shootout after a goalless draw at the end of regulation time.

One of Vhembe’s own netball stars is continuing to impress on the national and international stage. Phophi Nematangari from Duthuni is currently captaining both the University of Pretoria’s (Tuks) first team and the South African Youth netball side (Baby Proteas).