Latest news with #Rikhotso
The Citizen
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
R10 000 Youth Day tourney
LIMPOPO – Youth Day was celebrated in style on Monday at N'wamankena village with a vibrant sports tournament that brought the community together and showcased local talent across various sporting codes. The event, held to commemorate June 16 Youth Day, featured competitive matches in male and female soccer, as well as netball, drawing crowds from surrounding villages and other areas across the Greater Giyani municipality who came to support and cheer on their favourite teams. The highlight of the day was the thrilling male soccer final between N'wamankena FC and Shimawusa Homeboys FC. Favoured by homeground advantage, the home team, N'wamankena FC, triumphed with a 2-1 victory, securing the tournament's top prize of R10,000 to the delight of local supporters. In addition to soccer, netball and female soccer matches were played throughout the day, contributing to an atmosphere of excitement, unity, and youth empowerment. According to the tournament organiser Jay-jay Rikhotso, the tournament aimed to not only honour the legacy of the 1976 generation but also to encourage the youth to stay active by engaging in sports and avoid substance abuse. 'This was more than just a tournament; it was a celebration of our young people and their potential. The tournament aimed to take the youth off the streets and re-focus their attention on sports,' explained Rikhotso, one of the organisers of the event. 'With the increasing challenges faced by youth today, including substance abuse and lack of recreational activities, we felt it was important to give them a platform to express themselves positively through sport.' He added that the turnout and enthusiastic participation from teams and spectators alike were encouraging signs that the initiative had a real impact. 'And so far, it looks like we've managed to do just that. We're truly grateful to all who supported this initiative; from the players who gave their all on the field to the community members who came out in numbers to cheer, and of course, to our sponsors whose contributions made the tournament possible.' Rikhotso also used the opportunity to remind the community that plans are already underway for the next tournament. 'We hope that you will be able to join us again when we host our Good Friday tournament next year. With your continued support, we believe these events will keep growing and make a lasting difference in the lives of our youth,' he said. The tournament was a winner-takes-all event, which concluded with a prize-giving ceremony that included a R10 000 cash prize, trophies, and medals. 'We would like to thank everyone for ensuring that the event ended peacefully and without any incidents of violence,' he added. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
10-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Mashatile's VIP protectors' occurrence report doesn't mention assault
One of the officers from Deputy President Paul Mashatile's protection team told the VIP incident management officer that a speeding VW Polo driver was trying to get close to the main car the day the VIP officers allegedly assaulted a motorist. Sgt Goodwill Rikhotso, an incident management officer at the VIP police unit, revealed this at the Randburg magistrate's court on Tuesday. He testified in the case of the eight VIP protection unit officers from Mashatile's protection team who allegedly assaulted a motorist on the N1 highway in Johannesburg in July 2023. Rikhotso, who writes accident and incident reports in the VIP unit, testified that one of the accused officers, W/O Phineas Boshielo, reported to him about the July 2 2023 incident. However, the incident report didn't mention anything about an assault incident. 'W/O Boshielo reported that at about 16:00 bravo convoy were run on the N1 north road from Soweto when a blue Polo driving behind the convoy, trying to get close to the main car,' Rikhotso read from the report he compiled during the examination in chief. The state led the evidence of Rikhotso, who testified that they were speaking in Tswana when Boshielo called him, and there was no miscommunication between them. 'They first backup shielded the main car against driver of the Polo. They ordered the driver to reduce speed but instead he continue to race with the convoy and they end up forcing him out the road,' Rikhotso read the report. Rikhotso testified that Boshielo reported that: 'They stopped him [driver] and inside the Polo there were three males and one female, smashed on the windows trying to run away but the first backup managed to catch them and they searched them and the vehicle as well but they did not find any weapons in the vehicle. 'Later the first backup joined the convoy, and Capt Lepota was informed about the incident.' Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Pomso Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokhonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Lesibana Rambau and Moses Tshidada face 12 counts, including assault, malicious damage to property, pointing of a firearm, contravening the Road Traffic Act, reckless and negligent driving and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. The case was adjourned to Wednesday for the defence lawyer, Mswazi Makhubele, to consult the accused before cross-examining Rikhotso.
The Citizen
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mayor claims she was exonerated of VBS graft allegations
Forensic report accused Suzan Nthangeni of being involved in the VBS investment graft. VBS Mutual Bank customers queue outside the bank , demanding their money in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on 20 June 2018. Picture: Gallo Images/ANTONIO MUCHAVE/SOWETAN Bojanala Platinum district municipality mayor Suzan Nthangeni is disputing that she is implicated in a forensic report into VBS Mutual Bank investment graft at Madibeng local municipality. Instead, Nthangeni, who was MMC for finance at Madibeng municipality in 2017, the time of the illegal investment of R50 million of the municipality's funds into the VBS Bank, said the report by independent firm Movundlela Consulting that implicated her and three senior officials lacked credibility. The report accused Nthangeni, manager of financial reporting Lucky Steenkamp, manager of expenditure and acting chief financial officer Siza Rikhotso and Bonolo Koitsiwe, head of cash, investment and grant management, of being involved in the VBS investment graft and recommended that criminal cases be opened against them with the SA Police Service for contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). ALSO READ: Is Ramaphosa's refusal to fire Simelane a survival strategy? The forensic investigation, instituted by then chief financial officer Morris Maluleke, said Steenkamp failed to keep an original contract document signed between Madibeng and VBS on the investment, as required by policy. The document went missing. The report said Steenkamp and Rikhotso allegedly took the decision to invest with VBS and Nthangeni allegedly suggested VBS be allowed to submit a quote. Rikhotso allegedly instructed that the bank to be chosen for the investment. It also found they allegedly contravened the MFMA and were suspected of graft. But when the Movundlela report was tabled in council in 2018, it was rejected by council because it was instituted by Maluleke, who was chief financial officer, as that constituted a conflict of interest and natural justice. Nobody was implicated by the provincial probe or charged for the VBS matter. ALSO READ: Former CFO gets 5-year sentence and R150k fine in VBS scandal Maluleke subsequently became a municipal manager and Rikhotso a chief financial officer. The provincial administration instituted another forensic investigation by audit firm SikelaXabiso and its report was tabled in council and its recommendation adopted. The report absolved Nthangeni, Steenkamp, Rikhotso and Koitsiwe of any wrongdoing. Recently, some ANC members called for Nthangeni to be removed as Bojanala mayor as the party policy is that no member implicated in the VBS scandal should be appointed to a state position. But Nthangeni said she was innocent as the provincial forensic investigation report, which was adopted by council, exonerated her. NOW READ: Floyd Shivambu may have seen MK as a 'haven' with VBS cloud hanging over him
