Dispatch Sekhukhune

Dispatch Sekhukhune Social Media Advertising agency and Community newspaper for the Sekhukhune district since 2008.

The Newpaper covers all the four municipalities in Sekhukhune, namely Makhuduthamaga, Elias Motsoaledi, Ephraim Mogale and Fetakgomo Tubatse Municipality. The Sekhukhune Dispatch is a local newspaper registered under CB Media group, for the following areas: Dennilton, Groblersdal, Marble Hall, Tafelkop, Motetema, Leeufontein, Jane Furse and Moratiwa Crossing. Since September 2022, the services of CB Media group have been extended with a social media component.

Political sabotage claims erupt in Kgaphamadi as IEC closes opposition stronghold Voting District KGAPHAMADI - Kgaphama...
18/06/2026

Political sabotage claims erupt in Kgaphamadi as IEC closes opposition stronghold Voting District
KGAPHAMADI - Kgaphamadi Village is bracing for a bitter election standoff after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) closed the Santa Kgaphamadi Community Hall Voting District (VD), a move residents and opposition leaders say targets the ward’s largest base of non-ruling party voters.
According to residents, the VD was closed without IEC holding proper consultations with the affected community.
The closure has turned a routine administrative decision into accusations of political sabotage and threats to shut-down all voting stations in the area ahead of the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections.
The Santa Kgaphamadi Community Hall VD sits at the heart of the village in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) Ward 21.
According to Community Leader Sipho Maleka, the VD serves more voters than any other station in Kgaphamadi, including Hlanganai Secondary School VD, Kgaphamadi Sports Ground VD, and Njoma Primary School VD.
“The village has roughly 3 000 registered voters and majority are using the Santa Kgaphamadi Community Hall VD. We are surprised they opted to shut-down this one instead of closing others that experienced poor turn-out in the previous elections,” he said.
According to Maleka, during a community meeting, convened with IEC Elias Motsoaledi Sub Regional representative, Frank Manyala, residents were told the VD was already closed for IEC activities.
“There were no proper explanations why the VD was closed. Residents rejected the announcement and took the dispute to the IEC Sekhukhune Regional Office. During a consultation on 21 May 2026 with IEC Sekhukhune Regional officials, the community were told to participate in the public consultation about the closure of the VD whereas the decision to shut-down the VD was already taken. The community refused to participate,” explained Maleka.
Their argument, consultation should have happened before the closure, not after. They demanded the voting district be restored to the IEC system immediately.
Maleka alleges the move amounts to political sabotage by IEC aimed at suppressing support for opposition parties and independent candidates in the ward.
Ward 21 Councillor, Mpho Maphopha, who represents the EFF in EMLM, questioned the logic of keeping a sports ground voting station that requires tents and extra resources while closing a community hall that already has infrastructure.
“The Santa Kgaphamadi Community Hall VD was just closed without consultations. This is a human rights violation. They closed a VD with the majority of voters and left the Kgaphamadi Sports Ground VD, which has the least number of voters. This is a political play,” he said.
Maphopa said provincial IEC officials told him the decision came from a PLC meeting, but could not produce an attendance register or date when asked about the meeting.
“This decision affects everyone. No one knows what is actually happening. Everyone is frustrated. This is undermining the rights of voters,” he said.
In response, residents resolved to boycott voter registration on 20 and 21 June 2026. They also vowed to boycott the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections in their preferred VD is not reopened.
When asked for a comment, IEC Elias Motsoaledi Sub Regional representative, Frank Manyala, referred the publication’s enquiries to IEC Limpopo Provincial Office.
However, questions about changes to VDs affecting Kgaphamadi residents remain unanswered after IEC in Limpopo Provincial Office declined to provide clear comment to this publication.
An IEC official form Limpopo Office who contacted the publication and refused to give their name, said: “When IEC delimits Voting Stations, it works with representatives of the Community who participate in the PLC. All political parties including your EFF signed the finalised maps on behalf of the people they represent. Please get your Councillor to tell you the truth as you are padding misinformation and you are becoming his mouthpiece.”

Dispatch issue 440 this week.1. DEM, Nal’ibali, complete Literacy Training for Moutse teachers 2. Well-known traditiona...
18/06/2026

Dispatch issue 440 this week.

1. DEM, Nal’ibali, complete Literacy Training for Moutse teachers
2. Well-known traditional healer sentenced 8 years for Mooihoek r**e
3. 13-year-old learner killed in car crash near Lebowakgomo

Family says woman died in 2023, renewed ANC membership and registered to voteSEKHUKHUNE - Growing concerns are emerging ...
17/06/2026

Family says woman died in 2023, renewed ANC membership and registered to vote
SEKHUKHUNE - Growing concerns are emerging across Sekhukhune Region as residents question the integrity of voter registration ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, with multiple allegations that details of deceased community members are being used for voter registrations and voting.
The latest claim was raised during ANC councillor candidate nominations meeting at Morapaneng Village in Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) Ward 15.
A concerned resident told the meeting that her mother, who died on 17 March 2023, appeared on a list to take part in the upcoming elections.
According to the woman, her late mother’s ANC membership was allegedly renewed on 27 October 2024, more than a year after her death.
“How did my mother return from the grave and register for the upcoming elections?” she asked attendees.
“It is concerning that we are living below the poverty line while our mother’s name is used in every election since she passed away in 2023,” she said.
Residents in other parts of Sekhukhune say they have heard similar accounts. Several community members reported hearing of cases where details of people who have died are allegedly being used for voter registrations and, they allege, to cast votes for the ANC in elections.
At this stage, the allegations have not been independently verified by the Electoral Commission of South Africa, IEC. The IEC is responsible for maintaining the voters’ roll and has previously stated that it cross-checks registrations against the Department of Home Affairs’ death register to remove deceased persons.
The ANC in Sekhukhune Region is yet to respond to specific claims from Morapaneng Village and other part of the region at the time of publication. However, the party has in the past denied accusations of using deceased voters’ details and has said it supports clean and credible elections.
Residents who spoke at the FTLM Ward 15 meeting called for the IEC and relevant authorities to investigate how her mother’s name remained active and why her party membership was renewed after 2023.
Community leaders in Fetakgomo Tubatse say trust in the electoral process depends on transparency around the voters’ roll. With the 2026 Local Government Elections months away, pressure is mounting on the IEC to address concerns and reassure voters in Sekhukhune that the roll is accurate. Some community members and opposition parties have alleged intentional use of deceased details to inflate support.

ActionSA kicks off voter registration drive in Makhuduthamaga PHATHANTSHWANE - ActionSA Makhuduthamaga Local Municipali...
17/06/2026

ActionSA kicks off voter registration drive in Makhuduthamaga
PHATHANTSHWANE - ActionSA Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) Mayoral Candidate, Tonic Manchidi, officially launched the Makhuduthamaga Voter Registration Campaign on Saturday 14 June 2026, with a call for residents to take ownership of their municipality’s future.
The launch event was held at Phathantswane Village in MLM Ward 6, where community members gathered in support of growing democratic participation and strengthening local organisation.
Running under the theme: “Register, Organise and Mobilise”, the campaign aimed to increase voter registration across communities.
ActionSA said the initiative was set to position the organization as a credible and practical alternative, particularly for young people seeking responsive leadership, accountability, and opportunities for a better future.
Addressing residents, Manchidi emphasised that meaningful change begins with active participation in the democratic process. He encouraged citizens, especially the youth, to register to vote and become actively involved in shaping the future of Makhuduthamaga.
The launch also marks the beginning of intensified grassroots mobilisation. Manchidi said the next phase will focus on strengthening local structures, engaging communities directly, and ensuring that citizens become active participants in governance and development.
“ActionSA remains committed to building strong communities from the ground up and creating a municipality that works for all,” he said.

Foreign national nabbed in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunitionNEBO – The Hlogotlou Police have on Monday 15 ...
17/06/2026

Foreign national nabbed in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition
NEBO – The Hlogotlou Police have on Monday 15 June 2026 arrested a 43-year-old foreign national after he was allegedly found with an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in his possession during a routine traffic stop.
According to Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, the suspect was arrested at around 15:30 at a filling station in Vleisboom, within the Hlogotlou policing precinct.
Mashaba said the suspect was arrested when the police members noticed a white Nissan 1400 bakkie traveling without a front registration plate. Officers made a U-turn and stopped the vehicle for investigation.
“The driver was issued a traffic fine of R2 000 and paid an admission of guilt fine. During a search, police allegedly found an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in the suspect’s possession. He was subsequently arrested and charged accordingly,” he said.
He said the suspect remains in police custody and is expected to appear in court on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
“Police investigations are ongoing to determine the status and validity of the suspect’s legal documentation,” Mashaba said.

Ntwane teen hospitalized after consuming suspected poisoned sweetsNTWANE - The community of Ntwane Village in Dennilton ...
16/06/2026

Ntwane teen hospitalized after consuming suspected poisoned sweets
NTWANE - The community of Ntwane Village in Dennilton is calling on authorities to act decisively after Environmental Health officials confiscated a large quantity of food products suspected to be expired, improperly stored, or contaminated during an inspection in the village on Monday 15 June 2026.
The inspection followed an urgent concerns raised by the community after a 17-year-old learner was hospitalized with severe illness allegedly linked to sweets bought from a local spaza shop.
During the Environmental Health inspections conducted in the village, health officials removed bags of rice, frozen poultry, soft drinks, canned beverages, and bulk produce from some of the local shops.
In the written concerns addressed to relevant authorities, community leaders requested a written enforcement action plan outlining immediate and medium-term steps to strengthen food safety inspections across all food-selling establishments in the area.
They also asked for clear timelines on laboratory testing of the confiscated sweets and other seized items, confirmation on whether the establishment has been ordered to suspend trading, and details of interim safety measures for residents.
Community leader, Seun Mogotji, said residents are anxious but remain cooperative while the investigation continues.
“We acknowledge the prompt response by Environmental Health Services, but the scale of this confiscation raises serious concerns about routine compliance monitoring. The safety and wellbeing of our children and residents must remain the highest priority,” he said.
Mogotji added that public concern is extremely high because a scholar was hospitalized.
“We are urging calm and restraint, but we also need the authorities to give us a clear commitment on timelines and actions. If we do not get adequate information, we will be forced to escalate this to provincial and national authorities responsible for public health,” Mogotji said.
The Ntwane incident comes amid ongoing food poisoning scares at schools across South Africa. In March 2026, 40 pupils from Ekwazini Secondary School in Mpumalanga were hospitalized after suspected food poisoning linked to snacks, with health inspectors collecting samples for laboratory testing. The Mpumalanga Department of Education has repeatedly warned parents about snacks from unverified and informal shops.
Environmental Health Practitioners enforce food safety under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act of 1972 and Regulation R638 of 2018 for Food Premises. The regulations empower inspectors to seize and destroy fake or expired foodstuffs found on shelves.
However, experts note that municipalities often lack enough personnel and financial resources to conduct regular inspections, and laboratory delays can complicate prosecutions.

Well-known traditional healer sentenced 8 years for Mooihoek r**e BURGERSFORT - A 49-year-old well-known traditional he...
16/06/2026

Well-known traditional healer sentenced 8 years for Mooihoek r**e
BURGERSFORT - A 49-year-old well-known traditional healer from Mooihoek Village outside Burgersfort has been sentenced to eight years direct imprisonment for r**e, ending a case that stretched nearly six years.
According to Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, the accused, Daniel Masinga, was sentenced at the Burgersfort Regional Court on Monday 15 June 2026.
Mashaba said the court heard that on 4 June 2020, a 38-year-old woman went to Masinga’s residence in Mooihoek after he called her, claiming he had traditional medication for an illness she was suffering from.
“Upon arrival, she found four men drinking alcohol on the premises. Masinga gave her a concoction which she drank, and she soon became dizzy and disoriented. He then offered her a place to rest. When she regained consciousness she was naked and Masinga was sexually assaulting her. He allegedly threatened her with a firearm and continued to r**e her throughout the night,” explained Mashaba.
He said the victim was released the next day and got help from a passer-by, and a r**e case was opened at Driekop SAPS on 8 June 2020.
“The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Burgersfort took over the investigation. Sergeant Letsatsi Mojalefa led the probe and gathered enough evidence to secure the conviction,” informed Mashaba.
He added that although Masinga was released on bail in 2020, he absconded after failing to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
“He was re-arrested in December 2025 and held in custody until sentencing. For count 1 of r**e, the court handed down 8 years direct imprisonment. Masinga was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 3(1) of the Fi****ms Control Act, Act 60/2000,” said Mashaba.
Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the sentence as “a significant step towards justice for the victim and a strong message that perpetrators of gender-based violence and sexual offences will be held accountable for their actions.”

DSAC supporting local authors in preserving heritage LIMPOPO The Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture supported...
15/06/2026

DSAC supporting local authors in preserving heritage

LIMPOPO

The Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture supported the launch of seven Sepedi books authored by Mazui Tumisho Elliot in Ga-Mphahlele, Maijaneng on Saturday, 6 June 2026.

The event celebrated not only the publication of seven books, but also Mazui’s remarkable contribution to the promotion of indigenous languages and cultural heritage. Having written approximately 40 books, with seven already published, he announced plans to launch another seven books next year.
Representing the Department, officials from Library and Information Services and Language Services reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to supporting local authors.
Rendering a message of support on behalf of the Department, Director Language Services, Mr Netshifhefhe highlighted that Limpopo has more than 100 libraries and emphasized the Department’s goal of ensuring that local authors’ works are accessible in libraries across the province.

Mhlanga denounces fake poster, says he won’t stand for MK Party in EMLM WardDENNILTON - Prominent local politician, Chri...
14/06/2026

Mhlanga denounces fake poster, says he won’t stand for MK Party in EMLM Ward
DENNILTON - Prominent local politician, Christopher Mhlanga, has distanced himself from an AI-generated poster circulating on social media that claims he will contest the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) Ward 6 councillor seat for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party in the upcoming November 4 local government elections.
The poster, which has been widely shared across WhatsApp and Facebook groups in Elias Motsoaledi Municipality, bears Mhlanga’s name and image and suggests he is MK Party’s candidate for Ward 6 in Dennilton.
Mhlanga says the post is false and does not reflect his views, writing style, or political position.
“There are serious reasons to question the authenticity and credibility of the circulating post purporting my desire to be councillor candidate for MK Party Ward 6,” Mhlanga said.
He pointed to several discrepancies he says expose the poster as fake. “Firstly the post does not consistently reflect the disciplined intellectual style, strategic tone and professional communication standards historically associated with me. I have been known for structural analytic engagement, carefully edited communication, and strategic political move rather than emotionally repetitive and rhetorically charged correspondence.”
Mhlanga also flagged errors in the poster itself. “Secondly the post contain numerous dramatic errors, formatting inconsistencies, typographical mistakes, and repetitive capitalized sections which are inconsistent with the professional standards normally upheld by me. My surname is Mhlanga not Mahlanga.”
The politician went further to clarify his party affiliation and position on nominations. “I distance myself with the post with contempt it deserve and further wish to confirm that MK processes of nominating candidates have not started. This post shows uncontrolled political ambitions and political bankruptcy and character assassination by disparate political opponents.”
Mhlanga urged residents to be cautious about unverified political content online. “Members of the public are therefore encouraged to exercise caution, avoid spreading unverified political posts and rely on officially activated posts when dealing with matters affecting integrity of other people and democratic institutions.”
He also made his stance on the Ward 6 race clear: “When nomination processes unfold I will support Comrade Bafana Masanabo to be our Ward 6 councillor candidate.”
The IEC has confirmed that official candidate nominations for the November 4 local government elections will only open closer to the election date, and parties are yet to announce ward candidates.
Mhlanga is a well-known political figure in EMLM and his statement is likely to quiet speculation around Ward 6 ahead of the polls.

Dispatch issue 439 this week.1. Mhlanga denounces fake poster, says he won’t stand for MK Party in EMLM Ward2. 30-Day ul...
11/06/2026

Dispatch issue 439 this week.

1. Mhlanga denounces fake poster, says he won’t stand for MK Party in EMLM Ward
2. 30-Day ultimatum issued over Ga-Motodi water crisis
3. Over eight hundred arrested across Limpopo in week-long Operation Shanela

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