A sick, undocumented foreign national, unable to seek medical assistance at the local clinic for fear of arrest, tragically passed away from his illness. Mr Jutasse Wildon Boene, originally from Mozambique but residing at Hamagidi Unit E in Thohoyandou, was a well-known figure in the area, earning a living as a trolley pusher transporting goods for shoppers. His touting spots included the Choice Supermarket and the Fruit and Veg next to Tops in Thohoyandou.

A senior traditional leader, Thovhele Tshedza Netshimbupfe, appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court last Tuesday (19^th) on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). He is accused of assaulting his younger sister’s boyfriend, who was visiting her and some family members.

The debt-collection company that sent out threatening letters to consumers in Vhembe has apologised for the way the matter was handled and has undertaken to institute disciplinary action against the staff member responsible for sending it out. What also transpired is that the insulting letter was probably written using an artificial intelligence (AI) programme.

Residents of Phiphidi, frustrated with the rise in violent crime in their community, unleashed their anger and burnt down a shop owned by a local pastor. The incident happened on Tuesday, 26 March, at around 17:30.

Inwoners van Louis Trichardt is verlede Vrydagoggend (22ste) stomgeslaan met die nuus van die skielike dood van die 48-jarige Jacques Wepener, wat ‘n massiewe hartaanval gehad het terwyl hy met sy trapfiets in Songozwistraat gery het.

As election time approaches, the familiar poster war has recommenced. Despite previous reports by the newspaper on this issue, some political parties continue to place their election posters on road traffic signs illegally. This behaviour was observed once more in Louis Trichardt, where a political party adorned traffic signs with its election posters, notably at the Stubbs Street/N1 traffic circle.

The Khoja family kidnapping had a relatively happy ending when the mother and son were ultimately found and returned home safely. The two were discovered at Manamani outside Thohoyandou on Friday, 22 March. However, details of how they gained their freedom remain scarce as both the police and the family remain tight-lipped about the circumstances leading to their discovery.

For years, Pastor Godfrey Ndou has been observing revellers enjoying their beer at a local tavern in Shayandima. He would pass by, greet them, and invite them to come to his church, but only one or two would show up the following Sunday. After interacting with some, he discovered that they were hesitant to attend church for fear of being labelled as outcasts, and some cited a lack of suitable clothing as a barrier to attending.

An unregistered school in Mpheni village, catering for children up to Grade 5, may soon be closed, and the approximately 150 children will have to find a new educational home. The school has allegedly been masquerading as a registered institution for at least two years, collecting money from parents while not offering accredited tuition.

The increasing number of people dying at Nandoni Dam has become a source of concern for residents of Vhembe. More than 40 people have perished in the dam while fishing, drawing water, and swimming since the dam was opened in 2005.

Muvhuso Morgan Nyadzani was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Thohoyandou High Court last Friday for killing a police officer on duty.

In recent weeks, Louis Trichardt residents have been questioning what exactly is happening in the park on Rissik Street, between Kock and Reitz Street. The park has been completely cordoned off, with construction vehicles spotted in the area daily.