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Parents shut-down Hlabi Secondary over sexual abuse allegations against teacher

MOGAUNG

Learning was brought to a standstill at Hlabi Secondary School in Mogaung Village, after parents staged a shut-down demanding the removal of a teacher accused of sexually abusing learners.

The demonstration, which taken place on Tuesday 6 October 2026, was joined by around 60 parents and concerned community members who blockaded the school entrance, preventing access to the premises until officials from the Limpopo Department of Education intervened.

The protest was ignited by serious allegations levelled against a male teacher known to the publication, who is accused of molesting boy learners since March 2026.

According to a community leader who did not want to be named, seven learners, aged between 13 and 15, have come forward as alleged victims since March 2026.

It is alleged that the educator, who resides in neighbouring Luckau Village, lured learners with promises of money and expensive gifts and invited them to his rented room.

“We were shocked to learn that the male teacher lured learners with promises of money and expensive gifts, invited them to his rented room in Luckau Village and sexually abuse them. He would send explicit videos of himself to the targeted learners,” he said.

He said the matter was reported to the school principal, but parents allege that she sided with the teacher. He said the SGB had reportedly raised the matter with the same principal on several occasions during meetings without resolution.

It is further alleged that a case was opened at Hlogotlou Police Station in April 2026, but has not been attended to. Around June 2026, it is alleged that the controversial teacher announced his intention to resign, but the resignation was reportedly not accepted by the principal, a move that has raised further questions among parents.

During the shutdown, angry parents submitted a memorandum demanding the permanent removal of the teacher and suspension of the school principal, calling on police to finalise the investigation.

Parents had vowed that the school would remain closed if both are not removed immediately.

After hours of protest, a resolution was reached on site. It was resolved that both the principal and the teacher will remain at home until the police investigation is finalised. The SGB will also engage with circuit management to try and resolve the matter.

The Limpopo Department of Education and the SAPS had not yet commented on the matter at the time of publishing.

SAPS members promoted as Limpopo Provincial Police strengthen leadership

LIMPOPO

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has strengthened their leadership with the promotion of 167 members during a rank-conferring ceremony, held at Capricorn High School in Polokwane on Saturday 03 October 2026.

The ceremony was presided over by the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers, alongside Deputy Provincial Commissioners Major General Fredinah Sebola, Major General Lesiba Mashilo and Major General Willy Mashava, as well as District Commissioners.

Also in attendance were provincial heads, families of recipients, representatives of Organised Labour and other key stakeholders.

According to the police statement, the promotions are aimed at strengthening leadership within the service, enhancing service delivery and ensuring members are better positioned to contribute towards the fight against crime in the province.

A total of 167 members received new ranks, comprising 20 Colonels, 52 Lieutenant Colonels, 66 Captains and 29 Warrant Officers. The promotions provide opportunities for both men and women to advance professionally and make a greater contribution to the mandate of the service.

In his welcoming remarks, Major General Mashilo congratulated the newly promoted members, commending them for responding positively to the call of duty and demonstrating commitment towards improving service delivery within their respective environments.

During the ceremony, Major General Sebola highlighted that the occasion was not only about celebrating the growth and development of SAPS members but also about recognizing their dedication as they assume greater responsibilities.

Delivering the keynote address, Lieutenant General Scheepers emphasized that the conferment of ranks is about far more than recognition and celebration. He said it represents an opportunity to build trust, accept responsibility and strengthen leadership within the SAPS.

He reminded the newly promoted members that rank is an advancement towards greater responsibility, adding that the true meaning of rank lies not in the insignia itself, but in the responsibilities, discipline and accountability that accompany it.

Scheepers further described the SAPS Reset Agenda as an invitation to rediscover the purpose of policing and to return to the reason members wear the uniform. He said this requires restoring discipline, strengthening command and control and improving operational effectiveness to ensure that communities receive a professional and effective policing service.

The Provincial Commissioner also cautioned the newly promoted members against allowing their positions to create barriers between themselves, their colleagues and the communities they serve. He urged them to remain approachable, grounded and committed to building relationships based on mutual respect and trust.

“Colleagues, do not measure your success only by what you achieve personally. Measure it by the people you develop. Mentor younger members. Correct them without crushing their confidence. Recognize excellence. Deal decisively with misconduct. Create an environment where an honest member does not feel foolish for doing the right thing,” concluded Scheepers.

Hundreds shut-down Groblersdal in anti-illegal immigration march

GROBLERSDAL

Hundreds of community members from across Sekhukhune District, brought the Groblersdal CBD to a standstill on Thursday 20 August 2026, during a mass demonstration organized by the March and March anti-illegal immigration structure.

Protesters from Elias Motsoaledi, Ephraim Mogale and Makhuduthamaga Local Municipalities, marched peacefully from the Groblersdal Fire Station to the Department of Home Affairs offices, where they handed-over a memorandum of demands.

The demonstrators raised concerns about illegal immigration, particularly on farms in Groblersdal and Marble Hall. They alleged that undocumented foreign nationals are taking jobs meant for locals while communities continue to face high unemployment.

They further complained that some illegal immigrants are involved in serious crimes. They cited drug dealing, hijacking of buildings, human trafficking and murder. They also accused some migrants of disguising themselves as Pan Africanists who label South Africans as xenophobes when they are challenged to go and fix their broken countries.

March Convener, Seithati Moroka Matlou, addressed the crowd before the hand-over of the memorandum. Matlou said the march was a message that South Africans are tired and want their country back.

"We are not xenophobic, we are protecting our sovereignty. South Africa cannot be a haven for every undocumented person while South Africans suffer without jobs, without houses and without safety," Matlou said.

Matlou added that calling South Africans xenophobic has become a weapon to silence them. He said every citizen has a responsibility to fix their own country and not run away to South Africa.

In their memorandum, the residents demanded that Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba must declare a state of emergency on what they called a sovereign invasion. They said this declaration will fast track a countrywide national crackdown on illegal immigration.

They demanded that government must deploy military personnel, surveillance drones and motion detectors at every kilometre along the border fence. They also demanded the establishment of a multidisciplinary security cluster that will prioritize mass arrests, prosecution and deportation of undocumented immigrants.

The memorandum further calls on Parliament to kick-start the process of rewording the constitutional preamble. The protesters want the Department of Home Affairs to audit companies to identify companies employing undocumented foreign nationals and to slap them with hefty fines.

They also want the Department of Social Development to audit the welfare system to identify fraudulent grant beneficiaries. Another demand is for the Department of Education to remove all undocumented children from South African schools and to prioritize South Africans.

"The jobs on our farms belong to our people. The grants belong to our gogos. The classrooms belong to South African learners," Matlou said.

Officials from the Department of Home Affairs in Groblersdal received the memorandum and signed it. They promised to escalate it to the relevant authorities. The march was monitored by police and ended peacefully.

New Mohlaletse tar road crumbles barely a year after multimillion rand construction

MOHLALETSE

Residents of Magakala Section in Mohlaletse Village, Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM), are up in arms over the deteriorating state of their newly constructed internal tar road, which they say has started peeling off less than two years after it was built due to alleged poor workmanship.

The road was constructed in the 2023/2024 financial year after the FTLM set aside a multimillion-rand budget for the project.

According to residents, the project was meant to bring long-awaited relief from dusty and inaccessible roads, but it has instead become a symbol of shoddy service delivery.

Community members allege that last year, FTLM Mayor, Cllr Eddie Maila, visited the project to monitor progress. During the visit, he reportedly promised to return for an official hand-over ceremony to the community.

That promise, residents claim, has never been fulfilled. While they continue to wait for the mayor to officially hand-over the road, the surface has already started to crumble and peel off, raising serious questions about the quality of construction and oversight.

"We are worried because this road was supposed to change our lives, but now it is already falling apart. We want the mayor to come back as he promised so we can raise our complaints directly to him," said one concerned resident who did not want to be named.

The situation in Mohlaletse is not isolated. The poor state of roads remains one of the most pressing service delivery challenges facing Fetakgomo Tubatse.

According to the municipality's Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the municipal road network is severely underdeveloped, with only 527 surfaced roads out of a total of 870 roads.

This means the majority of wards depend on unsurfaced roads for access to socio-economic opportunities. Affected residents claim that these unsurfaced roads, particularly found in scattered villages, are poorly maintained, rocky, muddy during rainy seasons and limit transport access due to lack of storm water drainage and bridges.

The scale of the problem has even been acknowledged by the mayor himself. Delivering his State of the Municipal Address last year, Mayor Maila called for investments to improve road infrastructure, saying the vision of becoming a city cannot be realized if municipal road infrastructure is not up to standard. He confirmed that several road projects covering a total of 25.4 kilometres were undertaken in the 2023/2024 financial year.

Elsewhere in the municipality, residents have long complained about other critical routes, including heavy traffic and poor conditions on the R37 and R555, the road from Steelpoort to Jane Furse (D2219), and the D4154 from Ga-Moraba to Leboeng and Phiring, which has been in a bad state for more than five years due to lack of funds for upgrades.

For the residents of Magakala Section, however, the issue is more immediate. They are now calling on the municipality to urgently intervene, hold the contractor accountable, and ensure that the multimillion-rand project does not go to waste.

Efforts to get comment from FTLM Spokesperson, Mahlako Komane, at the time of publishing were unsuccessful. The municipality is expected to respond to the community's demands for a site inspection and a formal explanation on the project handover.

Residents shut down foreign-owned shops in Dihlabaneng

DIHLABANENG

Tension has gripped Dihlabaneng Village outside Jane Furse this week, as residents staged a series of coordinated actions to force the closure of shops owned by alleged undocumented foreign nationals, citing concerns over legality, product safety, and compliance with South African small business regulations.

The demonstrations, now in their third week, are being coordinated under the banner of the March and March anti-illegal migration organization.

During the demonstrations, community members marched through the village’s main trading strip, demanding that municipal officials and police inspect trading permits, health certificates, and stock on the shelves of more than a dozen tuck shops and spaza stores. They are also demanding foreign nationals who own spaza shops to vacate the village.

Protest leader, Tshegofatso Letageng, says they are demonstrating because the municipality fails to enforce government by-laws to regulate businesses owned by foreign nationals.

“We are not against business, we are against lawlessness. Our people are buying expired bread, fake cool drinks, and goods with no labels. At the same time, the owners of these shops cannot show us papers that say they are allowed to trade here. South Africans must also eat, and South African law must be respected in Dihlabaneng,” he said. Letageng said the Dihlabaneng action was planned over several weeks after residents submitted complaints to the group.

“We gave the municipality a list in July,” Letageng said. “We asked for joint inspections with Home Affairs, Health, and SAPS. Nothing happened. So the community decided to act, peacefully, to protect itself. We are telling shop owners: if your papers are in order, open tomorrow. If not, go and fix them first. We will be back every day until there is clarity.”

When asked about accusations that the campaign targets foreign nationals, Letageng said the focus is on compliance, not nationality.

“If a South African is selling expired goods, we will close that shop too. But right now, the complaints we are getting are about these specific stores. Our job is to make sure the law applies to everyone equally,” he said.

Residents list three main complaints. First, they allege that several shop owners are in the country illegally and therefore cannot legally register businesses. Second, they claim that some stores are selling counterfeit goods and products past their expiry dates, including canned foods, cosmetics, and household items. Third, they argue that the shops are not meeting municipal by-laws for small businesses, such as waste management, zoning, and health inspections.

“We went to the clinic last month with a child who had a stomach problem after eating chips from one of these shops,” said Meisie Mampuru, a resident who joined the march with other women from her village.

“When we asked to see where the stock comes from, they chased us away. We are tired,” she said.

Other residents said they have watched local youth struggle to open their own businesses while competing with shops that pay lower rent and do not employ local people.

During the demonstrations, the angry protesters moved from shop to shop, asking owners to produce documentation while also forcing them to close and allow locals to operate the small businesses.

Where owners could not, residents instructs landlords to immediately shut-down the business and urge that the shops should remain closed until inspected.

By Monday afternoon, at least three shops had pulled down their shutters. Private security companies that protect the businesses were present but did not intervene beyond monitoring the crowd. No injuries were reported during the protests.

March and March has become increasingly visible in Sekhukhune District over the past few months, organizing community meetings about unemployment, service delivery, and informal trade. The group says it works within the law and coordinates with ward councilors, municipalities, law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders before any public action.

Affiliation issues halts Sekhukhune Regional Football League kick-off

SAFA Sekhukhune has delayed the resumption of the Hollywoodbets Sekhukhune Regional Football League due to lack of affiliation from participating football teams.

Scheepers appointed new Limpopo SAPS commissioner

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has officially announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers as the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo with effect from 01 August 2026, following his successful tenure as Acting Provincial Commissioner.

The announcement was made by Acting National Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Puleng Dimpane at the Premier’s Office in Polokwane.

Scheepers assumes the highest policing office in Limpopo after an illustrious 38-year policing career, bringing with him decades of operational experience, strategic leadership and an unwavering commitment to professional policing and public service.

His public service journey began in the South African National Defence Force before joining the South African Police Service in 1988 after completing his police training at the Tshwane Police Academy. During the next 28 years, he served in Gauteng Province, where he developed extensive operational expertise in community policing, visible policing and specialised policing disciplines.

He holds a National Diploma in Police Administration and has received specialised training from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Hostage and Suicide Negotiator, further strengthening his operational and crisis management expertise.

His appointment comes at a critical time as SAPS advances its Reset Agenda, which seeks to strengthen accountability, rebuild public confidence and create safer communities through ethical leadership, decisive policing and meaningful partnerships with communities.

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba welcomed the appointment of Lieutenant General Scheepers, describing the position of Provincial Commissioner as "not a soft seat, but a suit of armour in the fight against crime."

MEC for Department of Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye said her department stands ready to work with Scheepers to intensify prevention, response and support for victims of GBV. No province can progress if our homes are not safe.

“Communities expect visible policing, swift response, integrity and partnership. The #SAPSResetAgenda calls for professional, ethical and effective policing. As provincial government, we commit to walk with you — strengthening Community Safety Forums, supporting operations in crime hotspots, and integrating road safety, crime prevention and victim support.”

Ramathuba targets industrial growth at China energy conference

POLOKWANE

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and MEC for the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Dr Tshitereke Matibe, attended the South Africa-China Electricity and Energy Investment Conference in Beijing, China.
The conference was held on August 3 and 4.
The South African delegation was led by the minister of electricity and energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
Speaking at the conference, Ramathuba highlighted that the difference between the mining and manufacturing contributions to the provincial economy presents a unique opportunity for major job creation for its residents.
The mining contribution stands at 19.1%, while manufacturing contributes 3.6%. She said this sizeable gap presents an opportunity to drive industrialisation and retain more value from the province’s abundant mineral resources.
Ramathuba explained that, rather than exporting raw minerals, Limpopo is positioning itself to beneficiate and manufacture locally through its Special Economic Zones, using energy infrastructure as a catalyst for industrial development.
She said this approach will strengthen value chains, grow local industries, expand skills development and create sustainable employment. “Limpopo’s future lies not only in extracting minerals, but in transforming them into products that create jobs and build industries right here at home.”
She said that, through co-ordinated government support and investor facilitation, the province is laying the foundation for a manufacturing-led economy that will unlock inclusive growth and transform the face of Limpopo.
Ramathuba said the China visit strengthened bilateral co-operation between South Africa and China while mobilising investment in electricity and energy infrastructure, including transmission expansion, grid modernisation, renewable energy, energy storage, industrial localisation and skills development.
Limpopo’s participation in the conference underscores the province’s strategic position as a mining, industrial and energy hub with significant investment potential.

COGHSTA hosts Readiness Engagement ahead of 6th Term Local Government transition

GROBLERSDAL

The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) in Limpopo, has moved to tighten coordination across municipalities, as the province prepares for the transition to the 6th Term of Office for Local Government Councils.

In partnership with key local government stakeholders, COGHSTA recently convened a Secretariat Support Team Readiness Engagement, held at the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) Council Chamber in Groblersdal.

The session was aimed at assessing preparedness and aligning processes ahead of the dissolution of current councils and the inauguration of new ones.

The engagement focused on four critical areas, the formal conclusion of the current municipal councils, the establishment of new councils, the induction of incoming councillors, and the formation of council committees.

Opening the programme, Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) Municipal Manager, Meshack Kgwale, stressed the need for unity and forward planning. 

"Collaboration, effective planning, and coordinated support among all stakeholders are essential to enable a smooth transition while ensuring continuity and stability in municipal governance," Kgwale said.

Stakeholders then tabled detailed presentations on their respective mandates. 

Wilson Mohlala from Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) outlined the administrative and legislative steps required to conclude the current term of councils. 

Masebati Bilankulu from COGHSTA followed with a briefing on the processes for establishing new councils for the incoming term, including compliance requirements and timelines.

Dr Dan Raseluma from South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Limpopo addressed transition management and councillor welfare. He emphasised that supporting newly elected councillors was key to effective governance and improved service delivery in communities.

The discussions ended with a joint resolution from all participants to work together to ensure a seamless handover and to strengthen effective local government administration across Sekhukhune District Municipality and the broader Limpopo Province.

The readiness engagement forms part of COGHSTA’s provincial programme to support municipalities during election and transition periods.

Mayor officially hands-over Maepa Access road project

MAEPA

Gone are the days when Maepa residents will travel on dusty and undriveable roads  in the village.

The community led by the traditional authority representatives and the local councilor  were the recipients of the 4.5 kilometres Maepa Access road  on Wednesday February 11.

 Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality’s mayor Eddie Maila officially handed the road project to more than 200 delighted community members.

Handing over the completed project, Maila thanked the community of Maepa for their support during the erecting of the road.

"We are gathered here today to officially hand over the Maepa road project to the community. This is an honour and privilege for this council to fulfil the promise made to change the lives of our communities. The community of Maepa has been starved off service delivery for many years and here we are today to hand over this well constructed road project," said the mayor.

He thanked the community leaders and the tribal council for working with government to make this project a success. 

"We are also happy that during the implementation of the project, many people benefitted in terms of employment and business opportunities. This project is going to change the lives of many people in different ways. The face of this village has completely changed as access has been improved and even the travel distance from the main road into the village. Many economic activities will take place due to accessibility and turn around time. ."

Maila made an appeal for the community to take care of this project and increase its lifespan. "We must desist from damaging infrastructure when we are confronted by challenges. The doors of the Office of the Mayor are always opened for any engagement at any given time. We cannot afford to damage our legacy, but our main objective is to guard against any vandalism especially on infrastructural projects."

He commended the Maepa people for playing an important role in ensuring that the project is not delayed during the implementation. He said this has assisted the FTLM to spend 100% on both MIG and INEP projects.

Representing the communities, resident, Paulinah Coetzer, thanked the FTLM for  promising them a road, and delivering on their promise.

“As a community, we are excited about this milestone, we will easily manoeuvre around the village. We are also satisfied with the quality of the road made by the contractor.

“We are relieved that FTLM has finally heeded our pleas for  a proper road. ”

The Maepa road project started on 2 September 2024, it  was erected by Tseamiso Trading Contractor.

The contractor thanked the community for supporting them in orchestrating the successful project.  

Bothashoek’s Illegal water connections a major safety concern

BOTHASHOEK

Some residents in Bothashoek, Ward 20 of the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality are still struggling to access clean water.

 According to residents, illegal water connections in the area have left many villages with dry taps.

Residents have been without running water for quite some time now because of these actions. Not only is illegal connections depriving residents of water, they also pose danger to communities, especially children.

One of the affected residents, explained that the problems started when locals and business people connected to the main pipeline on the Bothashoek road, which links to the R37.

"Illegal connections were made, but because the Sekhukhune District Municipality is failing to provide clean water to the residents, none of the municipal workers intervened, they folded their arms and ignored these illegal deeds," alleged one of the residents in Mahubahuba.


Another local resident complained that the illegal connections leads to water spillage all over the ground because pipes were inserted illegally and directed to people’s households.

“We are all deeply affected by this, because when people start taking matters into their own hands, they ruin the water infrastructure. We need the SDM to take accountability and ensure they bring water to the people” added the community members.

On 18 November 2025, this publication forwarded queries to the spokesperson for the SDM, Lemson Moropjane, part of the questions included reasons for the shortage of water in Bothashoek, as well as the SDM's failure to intervene in the illegal connections.

Unfortunately, the SDM was yet to respond on these matters, the Sekhukhune Times will run a follow-up when they respond.