Picture: Embattled Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

5 May 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Social Development will receive a briefing tomorrow from the Department of Social Development on a forensic investigation into departmental appointments. The committee will also hear the outcome of an investigation conducted by the Public Service Commission into appointments linked to the Minister.

The Chairperson of the Social Development, Bridget Masango said the department will further be required to account for the Presidency’s findings that the Minister of Social Development violated provisions of the Public Service Act. Masango said these relate specifically to the handling of disciplinary action against the former Director-General, as well as the process followed in advertising the vacancy for a new Director-General.

“Furthermore, the committee will also receive responses from the department on allegations surrounding the appointment of the Minister’s so-called “Food Aide”. The meeting will take place at M514, 5th Floor, Marks Building, Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday at 9am.

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By STAFF REPORTER

4 May 2026- The Pokwane Local Municipality said the Kolong Bridge in Pampierstad will be temporarily closed overnight due to poor visibility and high water levels. The municipality said closure will commence from 8pm until 6am on Tuesday.

Phokwane Local Municipality spokesperson, Kgalalelo Letshabo said this closure has been implemented by traffic officials for public safety. Letshabo said they thank motorists for their understanding and their cooperation.

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By REGINALD KANYANE 

1 May 2026 – The ANC in North West said the 10^th ANC Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Regional Conference that was marred with court interdict went successfully well.  Motseokae “Sense” Maje (Regional Chairperson), Sebang Motlhabi (Deputy Regional Chairperson), Walter Mabogola (Regional Secretary), Wenene Molaolwa (Deputy Regional Secretary) and Boyboy Sejake (Regional Treasurer) were elected unopposed. 

The regional conference that was held at Christiana All Seasons Resort, was postponed more than once.  

The ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said: “Indeed, we can confirm as the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) that, the ANC regional conference in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region did sit yesterday and successfully elected the leadership of the region. 

“Before the commencement of the regional conference, there were legal matters that were brought before the court to interdict that conference by two members from the ANC branches. Unfortunately, that interdict was granted successfully to them.”

Maruping further said, however, at the later stage following consultation with their legal team as the organisation, the interdict was appealed successfully hence the regional conference went ahead. 

In turn of event, it is alleged that this morning, the ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula sent a letter to the ANC Provincial Secretary, Louis Diremelo and ANC Regional Task Team (RTT) coordinator, Walter Mabogola, declaring the 10^th ANC Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Regional Conference irregular and unsanctioned. According to the letter, this comes after directions pending the Part B hearing of 8 May 2026 and the constitution of the Conference Dispute Resolution Committee. 

“My office has just learned via second hand information that on the morning of 30 April 2026, in the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court of South Africa, Johannesburg, in the matter of Kenewang Seleseng and Kitso Kala v African National Congress and Others under Case No. 2026-097836, the Honourable Justice Minaar AJ granted an interim interdict restraining the Respondents — including the Office of the Secretary General, the Provincial Secretary of the ANC North West and the Regional Task Team Coordinator of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region — from commencing or continuing with the 10th Regional Conference and any elective processes thereunder, pending the finalisation of the relief sought under Part B of the notice of motion. 

“The Court further directed the Respondents, at paragraph 1.2 of the order, to establish a Conference Dispute Resolution Committee. Part B has been set down for hearing at 11:30 on Friday, 8 May 2026. Notwithstanding that order, of which the Respondents’ counsel and attorneys had direct knowledge, a notice was issued at 15:32 on 30 April 2026 over the signature of Walter Mabogola, in his stated capacity as Regional Coordinator of the Dr RSM Region, instructing all delegates to assemble for the official opening of the conference at 16:00 the same afternoon,” he said. 

Mbalula alleged that the conference did, in fact, commence at that time. He added that he writes, in the exercise of the powers and duties vested in the Office of the Secretary General by Rule 12.5 of the Constitution of the African National Congress and read with the Revised Guidelines for Conferences (29 July 2024), to place on record without equivocation that the post-interdict commencement was irregular and unsanctioned 4. 5. 

“The notice of 15:32 on 30 April 2026 and the commencement of the 10th Regional Conference at 16:00 on the same date were not authorised by the Office of the Secretary General. No instruction, directive, sanction, condonation or acquiescence to such commencement issued from the Office of the Secretary General. 

“To the contrary, the consistent posture of the Office of the Secretary General throughout the period 28 March to 30 April 2026 has been one of lawful supervision under the ANC Constitution, the Guidelines and, where engaged, the orders of the High Court,” said Mbalula. 

He said in the premises, the proceedings of the 10th Regional Conference of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region purported to have been opened or conducted on or after 16:00 on 30 April 2026 are, with immediate effect, recorded as irregular and unsanctioned by the Office of the Secretary General. Mbalula said any nominations, elections, ratifications, declarations of office, presentations of credentials, or political and organisational reports purporting to have flowed from the proceedings of 30 April 2026 are, with immediate effect, suspended and shall be of no force or effect within the structures of the African National Congress, pending the determination. 

“The determination is the Part B hearing on 8 May 2026 in the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court of South Africa, the Application for Leave to Appeal noted by the Respondents in terms of Uniform Rule 49(1)(b) and (d) and section 17 of the Superior Courts Act, 10 of 2013, on 30 April 2026 at 15:50. 

“This includes the constitution and report of the Conference Dispute Resolution Committee directed at paragraph 1.2 of the order of Honourable Justice Minaar AJ and any further directives that may be issued by the Office of the Secretary General consequent upon (i) to (iii) above,” he said. 

Mbalula said no certificate of regional outcome shall be issued by the National Organising and Membership Department, no inclusion of any purported regional officials shall be effected on MMS, no submission shall be made to the National Working Committee or to the National Executive Committee, and no public communication shall be made on behalf of the movement, predicated on the proceedings of 30 April 2026, save with the express written authority of the Secretary General. 

He said he demanded a written explanation by no later than 5pm on 2 May 2026, to furnish the Office of the Secretary General with a sworn written explanation, addressing in particular, the constitutional and statutory authority on which the notice of 15:32 on 30 April 2026 was issued. 

“The explanation should include the chain of communication, if any, between you and the Office of the Secretary General, the National Officials, and the Conference Convening Authority between 09:45 and 16:00 on 30 April 2026. Comrades, the African National Congress is a constitutional movement. The discipline of the movement requires that, even where decisions of the Courts are perceived to be in error, the proper response is to invoke the appellate procedures provided by the Superior Courts Act, not to disregard the Court’s authority. 

“The interests of the movement are not advanced by conduct that places its leadership in personal jeopardy of committal proceedings. The Office of the Secretary General defends the African National Congress from within and from without — including, where so required, by speaking the truth to its own structures,” said Mabalula.  

He said they are reminded of the duties of cadres in office under Rule 5.2 of the ANC Constitution, of the duties of the Provincial and Regional structures under Rules 16 and 19 read with the Revised Guidelines for Conferences, and of the obligation of every member of the movement to conduct himself or herself in a manner consonant with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Mbalula said all rights of the Office of the Secretary General — including the right to refer the conduct of any office-bearer arising from the events of 30 April 2026 to the National Disciplinary Committee under Rule 25 of the Constitution — are expressly reserved. 

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By OBAKENG MAJE

1 May 2026 – The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management advises all motorists travelling in and out of the province to drive cautiously and cooperate with law enforcement on flooded roads. The department said some roads especially in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, are impassable due to torrential rains experienced.

The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Oshebeng Koonyaditse said N14 between Vryburg and Kuruman is still flooded and remain closed. Koonyaditse said overnight rain in Vryburg and Taung led to the closure of N18 road near Tigerkloof.

“The road linking Schweizer Reneke and Bloemhof is also flooded and impassable and is also closed. Other local and rural routes affected are Taung to Reivilo in Mokgareng, Pudumong to Matlapaneng and Choseng respectively, Madipelesa adjacent to Pampierstad and other villages around Kgomotso.

“Villages which according to the South African Police (SAPS) are inaccessible include Mmadithamaga, Shaleng, Kamelputs, Rietfontein and Mountain View,” he said.

Koonyaditse further said there are completely isolated and unreachable areas such as Tamasikwa, Takaneng and Qhoo as bridges are submerged. He added that Taung Dam is reported to be overflowing which may exacerbate the situation in surrounding villages of Cokonyane, Modimong, Manthe and Kolong.

“Law enforcement alongside other government stakeholders are still assisting motorists and assessing the situation. It has unfortunately come to the attention of the department that some motorists have ignored an advisory and drove through flooded roads.

“Some of these motorists were stranded midway and were ultimately rescued by the law enforcement officers,” said Koonyaditse.

He said the department wishes to appeal to all motorists to corporate with law enforcement officers and all other state officials on duty to avoid further disaster. Koonyaditse said some of the situation is continuous and soon as it is safe to do so, roads will be opened for traffic.

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Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi

By REGINALD KANYANE

29 April 2026 – The North West Department of Education urges all parents and guardians across the province to ensure that learners are safe to travel to school during the torrential rains currently impacting various areas in the province. The department said this request follows multiple videos shared on social media platforms showing flooded roads and hazardous conditions that may endanger the lives of learners while travelling or commuting to and from school.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi firmly cautions parents against taking risks by sending learners to go to school when heavy rains are ongoing in their respective areas. Motsumi said the safety of the learners remains their highest priority.

“Parents must avoid risky situations by taking precautions when roads are flooded, bridges are unsafe or weather conditions pose a danger to children travelling to school. Parents are urged to keep learners at home if they see that it is not safe for them to go to school.

“The department has arranged with schools to implement catch-up programmes for learners who have missed lessons due to the heavy rains,” she said.

Motsumi further pleaded with parents to stay vigilant, keep a close watch on weather conditions and work closely with schools to prevent avoidable tragedies during this period of severe weather. She added that parents should maintain active contact with schools, especially during these adverse weather conditions to ensure access and to prioritise the safety of learners above attendance during dangerous conditions.

“The department will continue to oversee the situation and provide necessary support to affected schools,” said Motsumi.

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