Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has lamented the lack of security at the Tlharihani TVET College in Bolobedu outside Tzaneen. The shocking statement comes after a horrific incident where four students were raped at the college’s residence, exposing serious safety gaps at the institution. Speaking out on Tuesday, 4 March 2025, the Premier expressed her frustration with the college’s management, pointing to inadequate security measures that left students vulnerable to a brutal attack. With only two security guards assigned to the campus—one for the day and one for the night—Ramathuba questioned how such a system could protect students, especially after the night guard failed to show up on the evening of the assault.

A Night of Terror at Tlharihani TVET College

The incident that sparked outrage happened just a week ago, in late February 2025, at the Tlharihani TVET College in Mamaila, Bolobedu, Limpopo. According to Limpopo police reports, a lone suspect armed with a gun stormed into the college’s student residence. He forced eight students to undress, raped four of them, and robbed them of two cell phones before fleeing into the night. The attack has left the community shaken and raised urgent questions about the safety of students at educational institutions across the province.

The Limpopo Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) confirmed the Premier’s visit to the campus on 4 March 2025, where she met with affected students and college officials. Her visit, accompanied by MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye, aimed to offer support and demand answers from the institution’s management.

Premier Ramathuba’s Outrage: “You Can’t Have One Security Guard”

During her address, Dr Phophi Ramathuba didn’t hold back. She revealed that the private TVET college relied on a dangerously thin security setup—just two guards to cover a 24-hour period. On the night of the attack, the situation worsened when the night guard called in sick, leaving the campus completely unprotected. “So, you only discover around 19:00 in the evening? Can you also do your own investigation because we don’t know,” Ramathuba said, her tone reflecting both disbelief and anger.

She went further, questioning the logic behind the college’s security arrangements. “You can’t have one security guard to be guarding this whole place. You can’t have somebody patrolling and leaving the gate alone,” she added. For the Premier, the incident wasn’t just a tragedy—it was a preventable failure that pointed to deeper issues at Tlharihani TVET College.

A Call for Accountability and Action

Ramathuba made it clear that she won’t let the matter rest. She urged the college management to stop accommodating students if they can’t provide the basic resources needed to keep them safe. “I’m going to be inviting [Department of] Higher Education to come and assess your institution to see if it is really qualified in terms of standards to accommodate students,” she warned. This move signals a potential crackdown on private institutions that fail to meet safety and operational standards—a step that could have far-reaching implications for TVET colleges across South Africa.

The Premier’s comments echo a growing sentiment in Limpopo and beyond: educational institutions must prioritise student safety. Her call for an investigation by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) underscores the seriousness of the situation, as authorities scramble to address the fallout from the attack.

What Happened on the Night of the Attack?

Details of the incident paint a chilling picture. Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the suspect entered the residence under the cover of darkness. Armed with a firearm, he intimidated the students, forcing eight of them to strip before subjecting four to sexual assault. After the rape, he stole two cell phones and escaped, leaving behind a scene of trauma and fear.

The absence of the night security guard only came to light after the fact, raising questions about how the college handles staff absences. Ramathuba was quick to point out the flaws: “If somebody is not feeling well, you don’t call us now and drop us. That is the first thing.” Her words suggest that the college’s management may have been negligent in ensuring a replacement was in place, a failure that left students exposed to danger.

Police Investigation Underway

Limpopo police have launched a manhunt for the suspect, with Premier Ramathuba insisting that no stone be left unturned. “Police must find the perpetrator who raped four students at the Tlharihani TVET Campus in Mamaila,” she told SA Government News on 5 March 2025. The urgency of her statement reflects the public’s demand for justice and the government’s commitment to tackling gender-based violence (GBV) in the province.

As of Wednesday, 5 March 2025, no arrests have been reported, but the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the suspect’s capture, with community leaders and students alike calling for swift action.

A Broader Crisis: Security at TVET Colleges

The rape incident at Tlharihani TVET College isn’t an isolated case—it’s part of a troubling pattern of security lapses at educational institutions in South Africa. Just a month earlier, in January 2025, two nurses were abducted and raped at Ga-Chuene Clinic outside Polokwane, an attack that also exposed weaknesses in private security arrangements. In that case, Ramathuba vowed to investigate the security company involved, a promise she’s now extending to Tlharihani.

Posts on X from late February 2025 show the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) raising similar concerns about Tlharihani’s safety measures, pledging to engage with college management. The DHET has also stepped in, promising psycho-social support for the affected students, as reported by SABC News on 26 February 2025. These responses highlight a growing awareness of the need to protect students, but they also reveal how much work remains to be done.

Ramathuba’s Track Record on Safety and Justice

Dr Phophi Ramathuba has built a reputation as a no-nonsense leader since taking office as Limpopo Premier in June 2024. A medical doctor by training, she’s been vocal about issues like gender-based violence and public safety. In December 2024, she took a tough stance on statutory rape, warning perpetrators that “anyone thinking about committing this crime in our province, you will find us waiting for you,” according to Sowetan Live. Her response to the Tlharihani incident fits this pattern—direct, decisive, and focused on accountability.

Her visit to the college, alongside MEC Violet Mathye, wasn’t just a symbolic gesture. It was a clear message to institutions and communities: safety isn’t negotiable. By involving the DHET, Ramathuba is pushing for systemic change, ensuring that private colleges like Tlharihani meet the same standards as public institutions.

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