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LIMPOPO MIRROR
31 January 2014 By Phathutshedzo Luvhengo
Tshakuma man eludes dreadful death He cried for help, but his attacker continued to butcher him. If it were not for his friend, he would have died. This is the account of Mr Lufuno Hendrick Maboho (29) from Tshakhuma Muhuvhoya village when he describes the night he escaped a possible gruesome death.
Mr Maboho alleges that he was attacked by Tshifhiwa Muhanelwa (18) on the night of 18 January whilst playing pool at a local tavern. It is alleged that Muhanelwa was on a drinking spree with his friends and had been searching for Lufuno prior to the incident. He allegedly mentioned to his friends whilst they were consuming alcohol that when he met him (Lufuno), he was going to kill him. According to Maboho, his attacker told him that he wanted to kill Maboho for exposing him to the police. He said Muhanelwa told him that he was the one feeding the police with information about Muhanelwa's alleged criminal activities. Describing the night of terror to Limpopo Mirror, Lufuno said it was awful and he had almost kissed the world goodbye. “He said I was the one who told the police about his alleged murder and rape cases. He then took out his knife. I shielded myself with the table. He told his friends to take the table away and that he wanted to kill this lifeless body - During the provincial ANC gala dinner at Tshedza Lodge Makhado a fornight ago are, from referring to me. His friends pushed me to him and left to right, Mr Philimon Mdaka (chairperson of the provincial task team), Ms Baleka Mbethe (national chairperson of the ANC) and Limpopo Premier Mr Stan Mathabathe. he started stabbing me,” said Maboho. Maboho ran away from the scene, but his attacker followed him. “I then got to my friend's home, crying for help. Muhanelwa and his friends were following me. They stabbed me whilst I was still bleeding and crying out loudly. My friend then arrived, holding an axe. He scared them and they fled from the scene,” said Maboho. A spokesperson for the Levubu police confirmed the incident. The police have described Muhanelwa as a notorious criminal, who had been arrested before and charged with assault with the intent to cause grievously bodily harm, rape and commercial robbery. “We have opened an attempted Mr Hendrick Maboho (29) who was stabbed. murder case and the suspect has already appeared in court,” said Levubu police spokesperson W/O Solly Mukhola. Muhanelwa briefly appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate's Court on Monday (20 January) with one of his alleged accomplices, Mr Fhulufhelo Mudau (18). They remain in custody and they will appear again on February 25. On Sunday (January 19) Tshakhuma community SABC 2 Muvhango actor Innocentia Makhapila, known as Rendani, Mr Elvis Phathela and Ms members took to the streets to show their disap- Mashudu Tshilange of Makhado FM, photographed at the gala dinner of the ANC at Tshedza proval for the alleged evil deeds of Muhanelwa and Lodge a fornight ago. his group. This prompted the Tshakhuma chief to call for an urgent meetBy Frans van der Merwe ing, which was held last Wednesday. During the meeting, the community resolved A three-year dream of a local Swedish landown- we will run this operation and secure and engage neighbours, private busithat they no longer want- er, Mr Leif Rahmqvist, became a reality when for each child a bed, nutritious food, nesses, and state and local authorities ed those perpetrators to a partnership agreement was reached late last clean drinking water, water toilets and to participate in the project. Our plan stay in the area. "As a year between the Alldays local municipality, washrooms, education, school books, is to also involve teachers and nurses community, we signed the local community and Mr Rahmqvist from help with homework and a school from abroad. We guarantee fully that a petition stating that Mapungubwe Game Reserve (Pty) Ltd. uniform. They will also get access each and every penny donated will those people who are Rahmqvist’s dream to establish a fully-fledged to support people, a reading room, go into the project for the benefit of a threat to our society orphanage and day-care centre is now beginning various activities, and health care.” the children. No administration costs should not return," said to take shape. Construction of the first phase of the Rahmqvist also mentioned that the will be paid. This is guaranteed by our Tshakhuma acting chief projects is already in progress. project relies entirely on voluntary system, in which no one can access Elvis NemadzivhandiRahmqvist was touched by the poverty, home- contributions. “Our goal is to invite the orphanage’s money.” la. "Most community lessness and disease encountered in the surrounding Mr Hendrick Maboho (29) shows the wound members were living area of the town of Alldays, close to his ranch. he sustained on his left arm during the night in fear because of these There are many orphans who have lost their parents people," he added. of terror. to Aids and other diseases, he said. "The children get one daily meal at a local dropin centre run by volunteers. They are exposed to a vulnerable existence in the streets, without adult care, clean water or toilets, much less basic health care and medicine. It is not right that children have it this way. All children are entitled to a good start in life, with care and a safe shelter. I therefore founded the Mapungubwe Foundation Orphanage in order to build and run an orphanage, to give these homeless children a safe place to grow up. A place that will provide a proper upbringing, with enough to eat, clean water, health care, medicine, education and a bed of their own for each child,” he added. According to him, the Mapungubwe Foundation Orphanage is a long-term project with the goal to create a brighter life and future for the children. In the first phase, they will construct and build the Mr Leif Rahmqvist (middle) in conversation with the chairman of orphanage. The home will also house teachers, Alldays Municipality, Mr Jonny Kgorane, during the formalisation of nurses and other staff who will stay with the chil- the partnership agreement for the establishement of an orphanage. He dren. He also mentioned that many of the families donated several million rands for the project, which is already underway. A top learner from Louis Trichardt High School, Sipho Mbadaliga, was had problems with illness and disease, thus making According to the municipal representative, this is the first project of its rewarded with a laptop and R3 000 in cash by Frank Mukhaswakule the children socially and economically vulnerable. kind, proving that local government and the private sector can indeed Saturday classes. The handing-over ceremony took place at Ha- According to him, it is important that the children achieve much with partnerships like this one. Rahmqvist said he and his Mashau last Friday. Mbadaliga attended Saturday classes at Mashau. do not lose social contact. “The plan now is to build company were proud to be part of this project. "I have always believed From left to right are Vuledzani Fungisani, Sipho Mbadaliga and an orphanage with 20 beds for children with acute in investing in people and making a difference," he said. According to Michael Ratshili. Ratshili mentioned that the Saturday classes started needs. Directly adjacent to the orphanage, we will Mr Hennie Erwee of the legal firm that donated its legal services for the in 2006 and since then they managed to improve the marks of many build a day-care centre for those children who con- project, "We are proud to be part of this project. I sincerely hope that learners. He thanked the sponsor, Vhusafheli Ramanugu. tinue to live with families. When the house is built, more private businessmen will follow the example of Mr Rahmqvist."
Swedish landowner secures orphanage in Alldays