The tug-of-war for the administration and control of the local community radio station, Vhembe FM, continues. The feud has also spread to the courts, and on Monday, the man who claims to be the founder and license holder of the station, Thendo Percy Mathobo, appeared again in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of fraud and corruption.

Hundreds of people from all corners of the Vhembe District and as far as Gauteng paid their last respects to Samuel Tshitahe (62), the former chairperson of the Dam Site Social Club and founder of the Thavha Thavha Soccer Club, during his funeral at the CWC Church in Maniini village on Saturday.

The dream of performing at the opening of Parliament came true last week for local poet, musician, and praise singer Lutendo Evens Mugagadeli, better known as Vendaboy Poet.

The infighting between two factions within the ANC in Vhembe seems to be getting more intense, and the power balance may be shifting, judging by what happened during the Makhado Municipality’s Council meeting on Monday. Several ANC councillors ignored the ANC Vhembe Region’s instruction to boycott the meeting and went ahead to permanently appoint Godfrey Raliphada as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The group calling themselves the VBS Minority Shareholders held a press briefing on Tuesday at the Graceland Hotel in Thohoyandou, during which they made a plea for the money stolen from depositors to be paid back. They also want the bank to be resuscitated with the help of a funder they have secured.

A meeting to discuss the overpayment of officials at the Musina Municipality could not proceed on Tuesday as there was no quorum. It is believed that the meeting was boycotted by a certain faction within the ANC that is protecting, among others, the municipal manager.

At a time when traditional-leadership squabbles have become the order of the day, one of the most senior and prominent traditional leaders in Limpopo, Thovhele Nkhaneni Ramovha, has urged the Vandalamo/Tshishonge clan to unite and work towards development in their areas.

Residents of Elim are living in fear after three women were allegedly raped by unknown suspects on 13 and 16 July. Two females, aged 18 and 29, were reportedly raped and robbed at a rental house, while a 56-year-old woman was raped and severely stabbed.

Tshikota High’s soccer team will represent the Vhembe region in the provincial U/19 Motsepe Cup, which will be played in Polokwane. Tshikota defeated Mabvuka High 1-0 in the Vhembe final, which was held at Musina on Saturday.

The former Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows striker, Mwape Musonda, is likely to be parading in Black Leopards’ colours when the Motsepe Foundation Championship League programme for the new season starts towards the end of next month.

Legendary marathon runner Ms. Fhulufhedzani Masindi believes that the government is not doing enough to empower and support athletes. Fresh from receiving her Green Number after completing her 10^th Comrades Marathon, Masindi said runners needed support from both the government and the private sector to help them compete.

The last-16-round matches for the Funanani Ndou Attorneys Soccer Tournament will be played at the Khubvi Benjie’s Grounds this weekend. Four matches will be played on Saturday, with the remaining four scheduled for Sunday.

Eight teams from villages in Sinthumule and Kutama are gearing up for the Liguluvhe Pre-season Soccer Challenge. The tournament was launched during a ceremony held at Ramantsha Primary on Sunday.

The last two batches of Last-32-round matches of the Funanani Ndou Attorneys Soccer Tournament will be played this weekend at the Khubvi Benjie’s Grounds. The opening matches took place at the same venue last weekend. Four matches are scheduled for Saturday, with an equal number set for Sunday.