RSON for theHawks, WarNdiphiwe Mhlakuvana, conafemale school principal served withasummons by ased Serious Commercial estigation of theHawks on 5 facing allegationsoffraud
ected to make her first court 25 March 2026, where she the alleged chargesagainst summons has been formally suspect implicated in a ning aRoad Accident Fund ith the potentialestimated ately R2.9 million. emanates from acomplaint RAF followingthe detecirregularities in compensation tted in relation to amotor collision that reportedly occurred on the N2 road near Colonistrative Area in Dutywa,” she that the collisioninvolved Polo, allegedly driven by idual. Mhlakuvanasaidposwho respondedtothe accicompiled an official accident recorded that thesuspect iver of the VolkswagenPolo the incident andthat she bodily injuries duringthe medical documentation corroborated this versionof that on 12 December2017, mandated acertainlaw firm laim against RAFonher beportofthe claim, sheprovidon stating thatshe had been the time of theaccident ought compensation amountoximately R2.9 million,”said
Mhlakuvana.
She addedthat, however, further allegationsestablished that the suspect later terminatedthe mandate with the legal representativesand ostensibly appointed another law firm to pursue aseparate claimwith RAF.
According to her, in this secondsubmission, thesuspectallegedly advanced acontradictory narrative,submitteddocumentation,and her versionindicated that she hadbeen apassenger at the time of theaccident
This alternative claimwas lodged for an amount of over R1.4 million Mhlakuvanasaidfurthermore, the reportuncovered that thesuspecthad also submittedaclaim to Old Mutual iWYZE vehicle insurancedivisionofOld Mutual for damagessustained by theVolkswagenPolo during the collision.
In that claim, she reportedly stated that she hadbeen thedriver of the vehicle,resultinginthe insurer processing anddepositing theclaimedcompensation into her bankaccount
The mutually inconsistent declarations made acrossdifferent institutional platforms andunder oath raised serious concerns regarding theveracity of the representationsmade by theaccused RAFrepudiatedthe claim, andthe matterwas referred to theHawks for investigation
The investigation established that the evidencesuggested that thesuspectdeliberately misrepresented facts in an attempt to secure undue financialbenefit from both theRoad Accident Fund and thevehicle insurer. RAFnearly suffered alossofR2.9 million. Following ameticulousevaluation of documentary evidence, asummons was authorised anddulyserved on 5March 2026, compellingthe accused to appear beforethe MthathaSpecialised Commercial Crimes Courton25March2026.
MENZELWA
million MthathaDam Raw Pump Stationthattransports the dam to treatment facilOR Tambo DistrictMunic77% complete.
spokesperson, Ncebakazi said the O.R. Tambo District ty was making strong progMthatha DamRaw Water Station, akey projectthathelps from the dam to thetreatwhereitiscleaned before our communities. uction started in October2024 ject is now 77% complete. house structure is rising, is being installed, andpipeelectrical systems aretaking
R49.8 million investmentis thening the system that carries the dam so it can be treated ered to homes, schools, clin-
For alongtime, she said,the work to strengthenwaterinfrastructure across theO.R. Tambo Districthas been taking place quietly beneath thesurface, in pipelines buried underground, in treatment works expanding behind secure gates, andinpumpstations moving waterthroughthe system
“Inthe language of ourpeople, we would say: Yasombuluk’ Inamba.The powerful force that once seemed stillis beginning to move.
“The projectisalsocreatinglocal opportunities, with overR1.29 million spent on local labourand skills development supportfor communitymembers,” shesaid.
Whilst some technical challenges were encounteredduring construction, work continues steadily on site Kolwanesaidstepbystep, thesystem that bringswatertoour communities is gettingstronger.
BA THE bon ly home has Ntamehlo, ulu was when spoke perienced woke for Il was School ceived hom body had board self. the but this. of said. called ing was not 13-yea and down thought then help unfortunately, pas
EVEN though siblings from the Mhlabakazilocality in Port St Johns are trying to fight poverty by planting twohectaresof potatoes,they arefacingchallenges because theydonot have enough storage spacefor theirproduce
Thiswas confirmed by the founder of Mpondoland Farm and Primary Cooperative, Alindile Mbila(41), who said this situation worries them because their produce can rot.
He said that after completing two degrees but struggling to find ajob,hedecided to partner with hissiblingsand startthe project in 2021.
“I completed my degree in Sports ManagementatWalter Sisulu University (WSU). After that, Istudied Social Work, which is something Ihave always wanted to do.
“WhilstI was studying for these two degrees, I worked as awaiter at one of the restaurants in East London. After finishing my studies, Idid not geta job; instead, Iwas only offered internships,” said Mbila
BID ADVERTISEMENT BIDNO: MBH/P&D/0018/2025-26
MbhasheLocal Municipality hereby invitesservice providerstobid for the MBHASHE LOCAL MUNICIPALITYINCUBATION PROGRAMME: CONSTRUCTION FORA PERIODOFTHREE(03) YEARS.
19 March2026 at MbhasheLocal Municipality Budget and Treasury Cashiers'offices, 454Streatfield Road, Dutywauponpaymentof anon-refundabledeposit of R472.05 perdocument. EFT willbeaccepted, When paying through EFT please usethe name of thecompany as a reference. The municipality willonlybe sellingthe hardcopy documentsthe electronic documentswillbe obtainableonthe website www.mbhashemun.gov.za at no charge. ACCOUNT TYPE: PUBLICSECTOR CHEQUE ACCOUNT, ACCOUNT NUMBER:62231175953 FIRST NATIONAL BANK BRANCH CODE: 211121 +BRANCH NAME: DUTYWA SWIFT CODE: FIRNZAJJH
•Bidder must respond in accordance with all the minimum requirements and conditionsofthe tenderasdetailedinthe terms of reference,failuretocomplywillresultindisqualification.
•Where 80/90 points will be allocated for price and 20/10 for specific goals. Bidders must submit therequired documentation to claim preferenceplan •The 80/20 and 90/10 preferential system willbeapplied, where points 80/90 points willbeallocated forprice and20/10 forspecific goals.
SPECIFIC GOALS
Thespecificgoalsallocatedpointsintermsofthistender
/shareholders /members to declarecompanies involvedinunder MBD 4, Item2.11, will result in disqualification
•Electronic tender documents will also be available on the municipalwebsite www.mbhashemun.gov.za
•Bidders must be registered on CSD if the bidder is not registered the bid willbedeemed non-responsive
•Failure to submitJVagreements (where applicable)orConsortium Agreementswilllead toa disqualification.
He said that whilst he was studying, he also rana small grass-cutting business, but he realised it would not help him to focus on only one business, so he decided to startfarming.
Mbila said he knew the project would require assistance and that he would not have enoughcapital, so he decided to partner with his siblingsand form acooperative.
“The reasonwhy we formedthis cooperative wastoincrease our chances of getting funding. Thatishow Istarted this business. Ihave two other businesses that areoperating, so this is the third one. It is not easy, especially forme, who came up with thisidea. When you start abusiness, youneed to have some money so that it can run smoothly.”
He added that he has noticed that the profit is very small compared to themoney he is spending on the business.
According to him,one of thechallenges they face is thatalthough they are ploughing,they do not haveproperequipment.They alsoneed equipment so that their business can run smoothly.
Mbila added that if they hadthe necessary equipment, they would be able to operate efficiently and make aprofiteverymonth. He said they need a4x4 tractor with its implements and an irrigationsystem. Thereason they do not rotate their crops is that they do not have an irrigationsystem.
“We do have aborehole, butwedonot have anything that carries water to our fields These are the challenges that we have. We also need to extend our hectares so that we can rotate our planting. At the moment we are only using two hectares, eventhough we have three.
“We received start-up support from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) in 2021. They fenced the field and gave us a small tractor. We gotitbecause we met the requirements. They also drilledaborehole for us, but now there is nothingthat brings water to the plants.
“We were lucky because of the rain,althoughthe sun affected us alittle bit, but we still have something that we areharvesting.”
According to him,they sell their products to nearby shops and some supermarkets in town. However, he said it is not easytotransport their producetoPortStJohns because they do not have transport.
He revealed that they have approached different government institutionsfor assistance, but have not had any luck. As aresult, they now prefer to seek help from private institutions rather than government departments. He added that they have knocked on many doors, even in private agencies, and they are still waiting for aresponse.
One of the workers in the project, Sinebhongo Manzana (28), said the project has helped him alot. “I am able to assistmyfamily with the money that Iearnhere, so for me it is a breakthrough. Ialso do otherpiece jobs afterI finish work here,” said Manzana.
Aservice provider fromEmbo South Trading Enterprise, Nombulelo Mhlonyane, said she is their mentor.She explainedthat she was employed by Port St Johns Municipality in the Local EconomicDevelopment (LED) unit and won atender to mentor the owners of the project. She said the programme is an incubation programme that lasts 12 months.
“I have 11 farmers who specialise in vegetables, two farmers who deal with wool sheep and meat sheep, and four people who specialise in chickens. Theproblem of climate
change is affecting our farmers, so they must be taught smartways of farming. Iteach them many things that can help them when they face challenges, such as flooding.”
Shesaidwhen the farmersstart planting, she assists them with preparingthe soil and ensures that everything that needs to be done beforeplanting is completed.
“What Idid was teach them how to make trenches when ploughing their potatoes.I also make surethat they reportpesticide use. Oneofthe mainchallenges they arefacing is storage, because when they harvest, they do not have enough space to storetheirpotatoes This can affect them because they mustharvest beforethe winter rainsstart, as therain can cause thepotatoestorot.
“They also need forkspades becausenormal spadescan damage the produce,”saidMhlonyane. Sheconfirmed that she assists them in termsofgettingmarketaccess.
The Director for EyoluntuProjectMarket from NtingaO.R.Tambo Development Agency, Melinkqubo Ndabokutya, saidthat at Eyoluntu Project Market, they take produce (vegetablesand fruits)fromthe farmersand sell them to their broad growing clientele, including retail, informal traders,tender businesses, wholesalers and the general public, to mention just afew.
“Fromthe farmers, aproduct mustbeof good quality, and the pricemust be competitive and importantly, it must meet the market requirements. For example, on potatoes,they must be washed, graded and properly packaged; potatoes must be uniformand be able to compete with other farmers’ produce on the floor.The best thing is for the farmer to show us their sample first, and we take it from there because what determines the priceisquality, product presentation andlastly, which is important, is supply and demand dynamics.Like now potatoes areall over,everyone is harvesting potatoes, so prices arelow,”hesaid. He addedthatthey train andcapacitate farmerssothat they can meet their requirements even for potatoes. He saidthey had a session about potatoes recently, and it was well attended by the farmers.
“If they areinterested, Ican assist them and take them through, even about washing potatoes manually at home, so that they enter the market. HereatKei Fresh Produce Market, there is aPotato Washing, SortingMachine for farmers.”
FounderofPondolandFarmand PrimaryCooperative, Alindile Mbila, posing with some of hisworkers in hisfield
Someofthe potatoesthatwere harvested by members of Pondoland Farmand PrimaryCooperative. PHOTOS: BABALWA NDLANYA
TARDIgraduates38animalhealthspecialists
EXCITEMENT filled the air at the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture’s Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI) as 38 graduates receivedtheirdiplomasinAnimal Healthduringthe institute’s 9thgraduation since it opened its doors in 2015.
Since its establishment in 2015, TARDIhas produced 412 graduates who have made valuable contributions to the developmentofthe agricultural sector. Theinstitute’s commitment to excellence in education and training has earned it areputationasacentreofexcellence in animal health.
This year’s ceremony emphasisedthe critical step needed to be taken by the graduates when they leave the institution -thatis, to open theirown animal health enterprises.
MEC for the DepartmentofAgriculture (DoA), Nonceba Kontsiwe, saidthe institute, albeit rural, was aworld-class agricultural institution. She encouraged them to establish theirown veterinary clinics instead of seeking employment and continue supporting communities with their advisory services.
“You carry acritical mandate of safeguardingour livestock and ensuring that our province remainsthe heartbeat of national food security. We are commissioning you today as the vanguardthat willensurethat our commercialisation agendainthe ruralspace is realised,”said Kontsiwe.
Principal from TARDI, Nandi Ndudane, said theinstitute intentionallyadvocates forgreater participation of females in their courses.
“Thisisthe beginning of theirprofessional journey. They are going to be enteringasectorthatisvital. We areaware that currently, thereisfoot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that is ravagingthe livestock industry. They (graduates) are ourhope to help combat the spread of FMD andensurebetter rural economic participation and improve the biosecurity of theEastern Cape and wherever they are.
Shesaid the graduates wouldhelp “strengthenthe animal health services, farmersupport,and in the long termwould be able to run their own animal health enterprises.
The Health and Welfare SETA, AgriSETA
Radiopresenterbringsmental healthsupporttoDutywa
Ayanda Ntsaka.
COMMUNITY members from Dutywa and surrounding areas are expected to restore their mental well-being through an upcoming Mental HealthDay event
The eventwill be hosted by Qaphela Majola, an online entrepreneur from Kith Ngesi Radio. Majolaisbased in based in KuGompo City(formerly known as East London)
The Mental Health Day willtake placeatthe new JS Skenjana Hallin Dutywa on 22 March 2026.
The event, which willstart at 09:00 andrun until 13:00, aims to assist communitymembers who ar facing mental health challenges.
Besides being apresenter, he is also a teacheratZwelidumileSenior Secondary School in Willowvale.
Majola saidhehad always dreamed of hosting this event, but it was difficult for him to get started
Accordingtohim, he met aradio presenter from UmhloboWenene FM, Mzwandile Ntshona, who is also his spiritual father,aswell as psychologist
“I then told them about this dream, and they decided to supportmeinensuringthat it happens. Ihave realised that, as people, we need our minds back because we are now facing alot of challenges in our communities since we have lost our mental clarity.Inmy understanding, if you win yourmind back, it means you win yourlifeback,” he said.
He added that seeing moral degeneration and asociety that is becoming corrupted is very painful. He said this was the reason he decidedtohost the event
This will be the first timethey host such an event, butheiswilling to host it quarterly if he can find sponsors.
“What Iwant to achieve is for people to be healed emotionally,mentally, spiritually and morally.Ihope this continues because thisproblem is affecting even children. Iamexpecting people of all genders to attend.The event is free because you cannot ask people topay whilst saying you want to helpheal them.”
and the Department of Agricultureare instrumental in the success of the programme through financing the studentsand infrastructural development.
One of the graduating students, Phumla Dube, saidtoday is aday of celebration, reflection and of immense gratitude. “We are gath-
ered not only to receive our qualifications but also to celebrate the journey that has brought us to this verymoment,”she said.
Sheadded that whilstthey faced many challenges during theiryears of study, they overcame them with the help of theirfamilies and the TARDI community.
Students from Tsolo Agriculture and RuralDevelopmentInstitute (TARDI) recently graduated.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
BABALWA NDLANYA
BABALWANDLANYA
THE former principal from Candulwande Primary School in Libode, Bongiwe Ngcibi, has encouraged other teachersto equip themselves by expandingtheir education and always seeking more knowledge. Ngcibi retired at the age of 61 after serving the department for years, working at both Candulwande and Coza Primary Schools.
Parents and teachersfrom the school bid farewell to her, describing her as adedicated, humble and down-to-earth person.
“I startedteachingin1985 at Coza Primary School, which was aJuniorSecondary School at thetime. Iwas teachingEnglishand Geography, whichare the subjects Ilike very much Back then, learnerswerevery respectful. Duetochanges from the department, Ilatercameto Candulwande in 1987, whereI becamethe Head of Department. Among other things, Imade sure to equipmyselfbyfurthering my studies,” she said She added that she will always remember the relationship she had with the learners. She advised other teachersto continue seeking further knowledge and not to grow tired of increasing theirunderstanding. Ngcibi said she will continue using her knowledge to assist children from her area.
The traditional leader from Ngcolora locality in Libode, Chief Noma-Afrika Singatha, saidtheir area used to be described as aplace of illiterate people, but after Ngcibiarrived, everything changed.
“We now have professionals in our area because of her. There is alot of development because of her work. We are saying farewell to her, but we will never forget what she did for our community.
“She was everything to our school. She played the roleof asocial worker,teacher and parent at the same time,”said
Singatha.
She added that whilstsome teacherscause problems in theirschools, Ngcibihas never been aproblem. She said she wishes other teacherscould learnsomething from her. She further said that when Ngcibiarrived at the school, the situation was verydifficult, but when she came with her group, they brought positive change. She said Ngcibi leaves them at adifficulttime when society is facing the challenge of drugs and alcohol. “The issue of drugs and alcohol is something we are trying to fight. The problem is that even though they are not sold locally, our children go and buy them from other areas. We are doing everything we can to fight thisproblem. We are deeply pained because thisis destroying theirfuture.”
The Chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB), Sicelo Dungwana, said Ngcibiwas very humble and respectful. He said shealways made sure sheknewwhatshe wanted and was committedtobeing ateacher
“If you came to the school to talk about something, she would make sure she listened to you. She was always in the classroom because she loved what she was doing,”said Dungwana. Oneofher former students, Welile Ngaveli,saidNgcibi arrivedatthe school in 1987 at a time when learnerswerestruggling because theydid nothave teachersfor criticalsubjects such as Mathematics andScience
“Her arrival helped us alot because she managed to boost our confidence. She was teaching us Geography, and we had low self-esteem, but she helped us pave our way to abright future,”said Ngaveli.
He added that he is now also ateacher at the same school, teaching in the intermediate phase. He confirmed that he was previously ateacher, then became aWard Councillor, but in 2023, he decided to return to teaching.
THE 2024 Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup champions, Young StarsUnited FC Under-17 team, from Mchubakazi in Mnquma, are at an advanced stage with theirpreparationsfor the fourth edition of this tournament, which is scheduled to take place at Walter Sisulu University Bika campus from 27-29 March.
Young Stars United FC coach Nceba Maduntswana, speaking to Mthatha Express,said their preparations are going very well, and they are hopingthat when the NozuluYouth Legacy Cup kicks off later this month, they will be ready for action.
He made his remarks during an interview with this publication when askedabout theirpreparations for the upcoming annual Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup event.
The Mchubakazi team is among 16 teams that will be competing against each other for themajor
prizes during the event
Among these teams, 10 clubs come from the Mnquma Under-17 promotion league, whilst six teams are invited from places such as Mpumalanga province, Mthatha andEast London.
As allteams arecurrently busy preparing for the upcoming tournament,the Mchubakazi teamisalso making intensive preparations.
“All Ican sayisour preparations are going very wellasYoung Stars United FC, and we have av young, good, exciting squad, and believeour boys will perform du the event,” said Maduntswana
Hesaid that although their rent squad will be dominate Under-15 players in theupcomin tournament, they are confident, thetechnical team,that theirb will perform at theirbest.
Furthermore, he said that technicalteam is currently wo on player combinations as they integrating Under-15 players with
fewUnder-17 players who have previously playedinthistournament
He concluded his interviewby sayingall hisplayers are currently injury-free, and he is hopingtheygo to theevent with allplayers available.
The NozuluYouthLegacy Cupis meant to contribute to thedevelopment of sport in Mnquma andsurroundingareas andalso give young players theopportunity to showcase theirtalents in front of scouts and
SAFA Eastern Cape is to launch adevelopment league that will focusongrassroots leveldevelopment, exposing talent in the province.
SAFA EC recently signed a contract with Great Africa Supporters Union (GASU), which will be the mainpartners in theEastern Cape Development League.
This first-ever development league will be launched in East London on 25 May 2026.
According to SAFA provincial executive officer, Sikelela Mtangayi, this Under-15 league will feature schools and local teams, bothboys and girls. This is going to be the first of its kindleague in the EC,asthe provincial SAFA is targeting thedevelopment of players at ayoung age.
Mtangayi said this league is going to protect children from exploitation, as themajority of young players in theEasternCapepreviously travelled to other provinces forsport-related opportunities and ended up being scammed
The league is expected to start in April 2027, butall other logistics will be completed in 2026.
“The launch will be held in May 2026 in EastLondon, and the registrationsofteams and playerswill be done in 2026, also including the designs of kits. We have already started working, and recently we signedthe contract agreement with Great AfricaSupporters Union(GASU),” said Mtangayi.
Everyyear,whenthe league concludes its matches in November,itwill hold an awards ceremony (gala dinner)torecognise players, coaches,and
referees. Mtangayi said top playerswill alsoreceivescholarshipsand getopportunities to play in major academies and teams even outsidethe country.
“The provincial winner will play against other countries that arepartofthisagreement, namely Italy, Ghana, and Nigeria,and it will rotate among thecountries. Within our agreement, we alsohave amajor scoutingagency that will be busyscouting players and referringthemtotop international academies,” added Mtangayi
TheEastern Cape development leaguewill be played in phases, and the first phase will start in April 2027 and runthrough July 2027. It will be played at the regional level. OR Tambo Region, Alfred Nzo,Chris Hani, and Amathole areexpectedtohave 12 teams, both boys and girls, in each region.
Nelson Mandela Bayand Buffalo City will have 14 teams in each Metro for both genders. JoeGqabi Districtand Sarah Baartman will have 10 teams for both boys and girls. Mtangayi emphasised that each region will usetwo venues for control purposes.The leaguewill start from April 2027 to Novemberand will be played in phases.
Phases willbe: April to July2027 (regional games)
• JulytoAugust2027 (regional play-offs)
• August to September (top two teams in each region will play against each other)
• October to November (regional winnerswill play against each other, top8teams)
• November (awardsceremony/ gala dinner)
MIGHTY Eagles FC havebeen relegated back to the Hollywoodbets Regional League after competing for just two seasonsin the Eastern Cape ABC Motsepe League.
Mighty Eagles FC made their debut in the ABC Motsepe League in the 2023/2024season, performing admirably by finishing in third position. The team also secured ahistoric spot in the 2025 Nedbank Cup last 32 as one of the amateur teams representing the Eastern Cape.
Despite this strong record in their inaugural ABC Motsepe League season, the Mtha-
tha-based teamhas disappointed their supporters this season. This past Saturday, they committed the worst possible error in football after failing to present players’cards during their mustwinmatch againstBizana Pondo City in Mthatha This has left many Eagles fans extremelyfrustrated. So far this season, Mighty EaglesFChave collected only nine points from 17league matches. Mighty Eagles FC will play their final league match this weekend againstFCRavens, who are at thetop of the table As things stand, FC Ravens will proceed to the provincialplay-off match.
Mchubakazi team Young Stars United FC whoonce wonNozuluYouth Legacy Cupin2024isreadyfor thefourthedition of this tournament
