South African Police Services has issued a safety warning after a teen drowned at Nthabalala Village, Limpopo Province of South Africa.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tshitale has issued a warning to community members to avoid swimming in rivers and streams following a tragic drowning incident in the area. This comes after heavy rains affected almost all rivers in Limpopo province.
The warning comes after the untimely death of a 16-year-old boy who drowned while swimming with friends at the Nthabalala River in Nthabalala Village on Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
According to police, officers were conducting routine patrol duties when they received a report of a drowning at the river. They immediately rushed to the scene, where they found community members already retrieving the victim from the water.
Emergency Medical Services were called to the scene and declared the teenager dead upon arrival.
It is alleged that the victim was swimming with other teenagers when he unexpectedly drowned without being noticed by his peers.
The deceased was positively identified by his next of kin as Akonisaho Gift Maiwashe, a resident of Nthabalala Village.
Police investigations into the incident are continuing.
Some exciting news from Nthabalala village:
Farmers from Nthabalala village near Elim have launched a community forum to tackle a surge in stock theft and other farming-related challenges. The initiative, formed on Thursday 5 June, brings together at least 17 surrounding sub-villages and aims to strengthen cooperation with traditional leaders and government departments.
With more than 5,000 farmers in the area, local producers say livestock theft — particularly of goats and cattle — has reached alarming levels. Farmers have also raised concerns about undocumented individuals living in the area.
Athutshelo Ntshauba (30), a farmer specialising in crop cultivation and cattle production — especially Boran and Nguni breeds — said that, in many cases, the culprits were not from their village. Ntshauba, a University of Limpopo graduate and 2024 Vhembe Youth in Business award winner, said thieves often targeted goats as they were easier to carry and were slaughtered on-site.
“They slaughter animals where they are kept and sell the meat to local residents, butcheries, and at funerals or other events. What’s sad is that the meat is sold locally. We’ve had instances where even cattle were killed, but it’s difficult to catch the culprits,” he said.
Ntshauba was elected vice-chairperson of the Nthabalala Agricultural Forum, which formed a committee during the launch. Farmers say stock theft continues to plague rural communities, with recovery rates for stolen animals remaining low. The forum also aims to address growing competition from informal produce traders, many of whom are foreign nationals.
Crop farmer David Mudau (76) said the arrival of street vendors from Zimbabwe, who sold produce at lower prices, was hurting local farmers. “When we try to sell our own produce, people don’t buy. This has affected our income. We want to find ways to work together, so we all benefit,” he said.
Another young poultry farmer, Avhashoni Maduvha, said small-scale producers struggled with unreliable buyers and the cost of load shedding. “People place large orders and don’t show up, so we waste money on feed. I also use coal to keep chickens warm during power cuts,” she said.
Traditional leader Musanda Vho Lassi Mafutha welcomed the forum’s formation. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. The forum will help tackle many issues,” he said.
Solomon Tshikovhela, chairperson of the Vhembe West Agricultural Forum, said farmers needed to unite to confront their challenges. “This forum was created to respond to issues like rampant livestock theft,” he said.
He added that the forum also planned to offer training in modern farming techniques and fertiliser use, and to work with the Department of Agriculture and the Makhado Municipality to improve support for farmers.
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