The more the Limpopo Department of Economic Development Environment and Tourism (LEDET) and the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) try to “push through” the process to obtain final environmental approval for the controversial Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ), the more public resistance to the idea is growing as more and more evidence is emerging that the powers that be are going to develop the MMSEZ, no matter what.

The rate of unemployment in the country has reached new record highs, but in Limpopo, and especially the Vhembe region, the number of people who are not employed is terrifying. Officially, the figure indicates that almost half of the productive population are without jobs, but the figure for young people is even more devastating.

The arrest of popular gospel singer Dr Tumi earlier this year sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and his fans. Although the matter is unfolding in a Gauteng court, it links directly back to the Vhembe region, and may also be connected to other dubious Lottery-funded projects and people with links to the area.

The inhumanity of mankind never ceases to amaze. On Tuesday morning, the Zoutpansberger received another report of a large-breed female dog dumped next to the Meulbos dirt road just off Forestry road in Louis Trichardt.

Voorsitters en verteenwoordigers van sportklubs in Louis Trichardt wat gebruik maak van munisipale infrastruktuur het op 2 Junie ‘n noodvergadering gehou om die Makhado Munisipaliteit se eensydige besluit om hulle 99-jaar huurkontrakte te kanselleer, te bespreek. Dat hierdie saak op pad is Hooggeregshof toe vir beslissing was gou duidelik.

The body of Mushaathama Matshili (41), a resident of Madabani, was found in the Ravele area on Sunday morning, 6 June. She was presumably raped before she was killed, and her body was dumped in the bushes between Ravele and Madabani villages.

The controversial park opposite the Spar complex just east of the N1 in Louis Trichardt has been resold. The new owners are contemplating turning it into a residential estate or perhaps even a centre with upmarket restaurants and small shops.

Two Grade 9 pupils of Sinthumule High were knocked down by a vehicle on Tuesday at Ramantsha. One died shortly after being admitted to hospital and the other is still in critical condition.

‘n Vrou van Louis Trichardt het inwoners gewaarsku om op die uitkyk te wees vir twee mans wat hulself voordoen as kontrakteurs wat namens die Makhado Munisipaliteit voorafbetaalde elektrisiteitsmeters installeer. Sy het sedert haar eerste kennismaking met die mans al R17 000 verloor.

Rural communities in Vhembe are left with a sense of growing fear after yet another body was found sprawled next to the road near Ha Matsa village on Sunday morning.

After almost six weeks of waiting, the Zoutpansberger finally managed to elicit a response from the South African Air Force (SAAF) this week regarding an accident at AFB Makhado during which a multi-million-rand Gripen fighter craft was damaged while basically being strapped to the ground.

In the latest incident of infighting among members of a communal property association (CPA), members of the Tshathogwe CPA are at each other’s throats. Accusations of the misuse of funds are levelled against the current committee, who in turn approached the court to interdict members who act in an illegal manner.

The hostility between humans and snakes dates back thousands of years, as far as biblical times when Adam and Eve’s perfect live in the Garden of Eden was suddenly turned upside down, no thanks to the snake.

Fellow teachers, members of the school governing body and learners bade farewell to Ms Rose Mbadaliga (65), a much-loved teacher at Harold Rudzani Primary, during a farewell function held on her behalf on Friday, 28 May, at Tshiozwi. Members of the community and her family also joined the occasion to wish her a peaceful retirement.

While the crime rate continues to increase day by day, a large part of Louis Trichardt’s residential area grows darker and more ominous every night as streetlight after streetlight dies without any apparent attempt from the Makhado Municipality to fix and maintain them regularly.