Suspect in Elim hostage drama in court again

By Thembi Siaga

A 26-year-old man from Valdezia, who held an Elim Home Affairs official hostage at gunpoint, was due to make his second appearance in the Waterval Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Thursday, 9 March).

The suspect was arrested on 23 February and released on his own recognisance on Wednesday, 2 March.

An eyewitness, who was accompanying his wife to the Home Affairs office on the day of the incident, said the frustrated man just suddenly pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the security personnel. He then instructed all the clients inside the building to go outside. “We were scared. Only the employees were left inside the building. We imme- diately went to the Elim High School and phoned the police, who fortunately arrived at the scene quickly,” he said.

Scores of community members and shoppers crowded outside the building, shocked over what was happening. The hostage situation lasted for several hours. Members of the police’s special force unit were eventually deployed and managed to negotiate with the suspect, who was then arrested.

The Department of Home Affairs’ acting provincial manager, Mr Thifheli Matshaya, said the suspect had applied for his birth certificate nearly six years ago. He explained, though, why the application was not successful. “He had to be taken through the Late Registration of Birth process (LRB). The requirements for the LRB include providing copies of the client’s parents’ IDs, school records, and confirmation of residence from the local traditional leader. The client managed to have all the required documents, except a copy of his mother’s identity document.”

Matshaya said the suspect’s reason for this was that he did not know the whereabouts of his mother. “The department then requested him to take a DNA test between himself and the father. The client agreed that the test results would be provided, but hasn’t come back since then. As the DNA results were still outstanding, the office could not process his application,” he said.

Police spokesperson W/O Foster Rambau confirmed the incident and said the suspect had been charged with kidnapping.

Officials and farmers charged with corruption

By Silas Nduvheni

Three senior officials from the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and four farmers from Nwanedi, near Musina, appeared in court last week for allegedly defrauding the department, leaving hundreds of other local farmers without much-needed relief funds.

According to the spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) in Limpopo, Captain Matimba Maluleke, a budget was set aside by the Department of Agriculture between 2013 and 2014 to assist small farmers who were affected by the floods in the Vhembe District. The affected farmers were required to submit their invoices to the department, to be reim- bursed.

“It is alleged that the officials from the department connived with the farmers to submit fictitious invoices, which were successfully processed, and the money paid out. The farmers would then withdraw the money and share it with the officials. The department’s forensic investigators discovered the shenanigans in 2020, and opened a case that was later referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit. The matter has been under investigation since 2020, until 27 January 2023, when the suspects were summoned to appear in court,” said Maluleke.

The department has suffered a loss of over R2 million from these alleged fraudulent activities.

Chief Director Lesetja Marks Kola

(49), Director Makopoi Nkopane (46), Assistant Director Segwane Lewin Matlakala (63), and farmers Reuben Tshilandi (72), Barend Vorster (49), Koekie Scholtz (40) and Frans Mudau (68) were brought before the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Court on Thursday, 2 March. The case was postponed to 13 April.

Former President of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA) in Limpopo Mr Tshianeo Mathidi warned officials from the Department of Agriculture in Limpopo to stop using desperate farmers for their own greed. “Our rural farmers are doing their best to contribute agriculturally, but they are being robbed by corrupt officers. This is unacceptable,” said Mathidi.

Makhado Local Municipality

Tel: (015) 519 3000 Fax: (015) 516 1195 Private Bag X2596 Louis Trichardt 0920

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INVITATION TO PUBLIC HEARING OF MUNICIPAL PUBLIC ACCOUNT COMMITTEE (MPAC)

The Speaker of Makhado Local Municipality, Honourable Councillor M D Mboyi, hereby invites all community members and stakeholders to attend the MPAC Public Hearing of the Draft Annual Report for 2021/2022 financial year which is scheduled as follows:

Date : Tuesday, 14 March 2023

Time : 10:00

Venue : Makhado Show Ground

To RSVP and arrange for submissions, please contact:

1. Ms Tintswalo Shiringani – telephone no. 015 519 3030; or

2. Mr Kutelani Sigidi – telephone no. 015 519 3110/304

NB.: Members of the public are not allowed to make verbal submissions at the Public Hearing.

Civic Centre 83 Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt

File Number: 4/33

Notice Number: 29 of 2023 MR KM

09 and 10 March 2023 MUNICIPAL