LIMPOPO MIRROR
17 August 2012 3
Vhamusanda Ramabulana Vhamusanda Vho-Mavhungu Ramabulana (51) of Madabani village passed away at his home last Thursday, after a short illness. He was the chairperson of the Sinthumule Territorial Council. Khosi Vho-Rudzani Sinthumule of the Sinthumule area says Ramabulana was a man of vision. “We will always remember him for his hard work, commitment and dedication,” he said.”Most of the development that occurred during the time of the Sinthumule era was his ideas. We have lost a charismatic, disciplined and
Vhamusanda Kutama
enthusiastic leader,” he said. Thovhele Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabulana expressed his condolences to the Ramabulana family. Mphephu said Vhamusanda Ramabulana had served the area with diligence. “He will be remembered for his hard work,” said Mphephu. He added that the late Vhamusanda had contributed a great deal to the shaping of the local Sinthumule territorial council. “He was a selfless visionary and dedicated leader of people. The spokesperson for the family, Vho- Makhado Sinthumule, said the family was saddened by the chief’s death. Vhamusanda Ramabulana worked at the former Jan Smuts Airport before his installation as chief in 1987. The funeral ceremony will begin at 06:00 at the chief‘s house at Madabani tomorrow. He will be buried in the Ravele royal graveyard. Chief Ramabulana is survived by five wives and 15 children.
Vhamusanda-Vho-Fhatuwani Mashudu Kutama (47) of Midoroni village in Kutama passed away in the provincial hospital in Polokwane last Wednesday, a day before Chief Ramabulana of the neighbouring village of Madabani. The chairperson of the Kutama Territorial Council and spokesperson of the family, Vhamusanda-Vho-Ntanganedzeni Kutama, who had worked very closely with the chief, said it was a huge shock for them to lose such a hard worker. His death came at a time when he still had a huge
By Elmon Tshikhudo
R20 000 bail for Thulamela traffic boss The long walk to freedom for Thulamela traffic boss Thilivhali Mulaudzi finally came to an end when he was released on bail. He spent almost two weeks in the cells. Mulaudzi (48), of Shayandima, was released on R20 000 in the Magistrate’s Court in Thohoyandou last Wednesday. He stands accused of having committed 1,640 criminal acts - 820 of fraud and a further 820 charges involving contraventions of the National Road Traffic Act.
He is said to have authored his own misfortune when he wanted to be admitted as an advocate and was told that he could not as he had pending cases against him. After enquiring about these cases from the police, they subsequently arrested him. He was held in the cells since his arrest on 30 July. He launched a bail application the following day, but his application was characterised by postponements, until he was granted bail on Wednesday. The court was filled to capacity, with fellow church members, family and friends who came to offer support. Earlier on during the application, the attorney for the defence, Adv Tumi Mokoena, had asked the court to grant the accused bail, saying the charges he was facing were not clear and they were only known to the State. The latter called in two witnesses, who Thulamela traffic boss, Mr Thilivhali Mulaudzi gave testimony
to the effect that the accused should not be granted bail. In a verdict that took almost an hour to deliver, Magistrate Sam Phakula said he had taken into account the personal circumstances of Mulaudzi. Phakula granted him the R20 000 bail, but with added conditions that he should attend the court at all times until the matter was finalised. He was also ordered not to interfere with any witnesses. He was also required to surrender his passport to the investigating officer. He is not allowed to leave the Vhembe district without the knowledge of the investigating officer and he was ordered to report to the Thohoyandou police station on Fridays. He should also not commit another offence while out on bail. After the judgement, wellwishers were seen hugging and embracing each other outside the court. Mulaudzi will appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court again on 22 August. Thulamela Municipal Manager Mr Makonde Mathivha said Mulaudzi had not been suspended. “You will recall that, as government, we do not just fire or suspend people. Certain procedures have to be followed, such as disciplinary hearings,” said Mathivha.
By Andries van Zyl
Renewed vigour in traffic law enforcement Makhado (Louis Trichardt) residents have welcomed the Makhado Municipality’s renewed vigour in enforcing traffic laws. Over the past couple of months, traffic lawlessness in town has spiralled out of control. It has become common practice for motorists not to obey stop signs, to such an extent that motorists are more likely to cause accidents when they actually stop at a stop sign. Speeding is also a common phenomenon, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol. This lawlessness and the mu-
nicipality’s apparently lack of law enforcement sparked severe criticism from the public and it is against this background that most motorists and residents were delighted to see an increase in traffic law enforcement in town the past weeks. Municipal spokesperson Mr Louis Bobodi confirmed last week that the increased visibility of traffic officers in town forms part of an on-going effort to restore order. He said that they were focussing on general law enforcement, looking at offences such
as drunken driving and illegal U-turns. Readers might remember recent news reports about the challenges facing the Musina Municipality with regard to traffic law enforcement. Traffic officers there were reduced to foot patrols, due to a serious lack of vehicles. This is not the case in Makhado. Bobodi said that they experienced no such problems and that they recently appointed a further eight traffic officials, bringing the total number of municipal traffic officials to 25.
Hepworths
Sinthumule and Kutama in mourning after Chiefs pass away role to play in the development of the area. “He was such an experienced traditional leader and we expected him to assist in training the new chiefs,” he added. “Mashudu was one of our chiefs who understood the way in which traditional leaders functioned. He had vast experience and people learned a lot from him. His death is a loss to both the family and the Kutama community.” Thovhele Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabulana said Kutama’s death came as a huge shock to him. “He still had a lot to do, both for the community and royal family,” he said, adding that it would be very difficult to replace him. The late Chief Kutama worked at PG Glass before he started his own company, 777 Glass Company. He is survived by his mother, wife and children. His funeral service will take place this afternoon at 16:00 at his house. He will be buried at Tshiendeulu Tshavhakololo.
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