A LIMPOPO schoolteacher heaved a huge sigh of relief when a case of theft against him was thrown out of court for lack of evidence.

The primary school teacher, William Kekana, is also the ANC chairperson of the Mmaditsa branch in Zebediela.

He appeared in the magatle magistrate's court yesterday on charges of stealing four car tyres.

Kekana was last week found in possession of four bakkie tyres that had been stolen.

The teacher owns a bakkie of which the tyres were apparently worn out.

According to sources in the village where he lives, Kekana was arrested by the police after he was found in possession of the stolen tyres.

Police spokesperson Colonel Ronel Otto said his case was thrown out of the local magistrate's court yesterday after it was discovered that the teacher did not know that the tyres were stolen.

"We have arrested two more suspects in connection with the theft of the four tyres," Otto said yesterday.

She said investigations were continuing.

As for any case against Kekana being in possession of the tyres, Otto said, it was up to the department of justice to determine whether he should face any charges of theft or not.

"But for now the teacher is off the hook after it became clear, through our investigations, that he was unaware that the goods found in his possession had been stolen," Otto said.