25 March 2025– Starting its week-long oversight visit programme in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) yesterday, the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities visited the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) said it is set to assess progress and outcomes on programmes aimed at addressing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), gender equality and youth unemployment.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Liezl van der Merwe, said even though the two entities have viable programmes and policies in place, there is still room for improvement in order to increase their impact. Van der Merwe highlighted the need for the CGE to be more accessible and visible, especially in rural and peri-urban communities.
She further said the committee expressed its appreciation for the programmes and their milestones in its engagement with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). Van der Merwe added that, they also noted with concern the high youth unemployment figures and called on the NYDA to accelerate its youth development initiatives and strategies.
“Today, the committee will visit Inkosi Albert Luthuli School (a mainstream school for learners with disabilities) and hold an engagement with stakeholders from the disability sector, including with parents of children with disabilities.
“The committee will also conduct a site visit to NYDA projects – Phohlolizile Pty Ltd, Lilitha Othopro Solutions, Zonke Bonke Clothing and Accessories,” she added.
Picture: The Democratic Alliance supporters during rally/Generic
By REGINALD KANYANE
25 March 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, Freddy Sonakile said they call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation by the Auditor-General (AG) into the misuse of petrol cards across all municipalities in the province. This follows alarming concerns over potential fraud, irregular spending, and a complete lack of accountability in municipal fuel expenditures.
Sonakile said during the presentation of the 2023/24 municipal audit outcomes to the Legislature’s Provincial Public Accounts Committee, the AG confirmed that petrol card usage was audited in Moses Kotane Local Municipality. He further said given the widespread governance failures across the province, the DA demands that this specialised audit be extended to all North West municipalities to uncover the full extent of possible abuse.
“Not one North West municipality received a clean audit for the 2023/24 financial year—a damning indictment of the province’s financial mismanagement and systemic corruption.
“Reports of fuel card fraud in various municipalities point to a deeper culture of looting, where public funds meant for service delivery are syphoned with impunity.
Municipal budgets are already stretched thin, and every cent lost to corruption means fewer resources for basic services such as water, electricity, and road maintenance,” said Sonakile.
He added that the DA is committed to taking action to ensure that the people of North West receive the efficient and accountable governance they deserve. Sonakile said they demand immediate action from the AG and the provincial government to conduct a full-scale audit into petrol card usage, implement stringent financial controls, and hold accountable those who have abused public resources.
“The DA will continue to fight for clean governance, transparency, and the responsible use of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi
By OBAKENG MAJE
25 March 2025- A frustrated teacher from Nqunde Secondary School in Dithakwaneng village, near Vryburg, alleged that the school principal ill-treats him. These allegations were made and recorded by the alleged affected teacher on a video that has since gone viral on various social media platforms.
In the video, the teacher alleged that the classroom that is allocated to him is not in good condition. The teacher alleged that even learners are afraid to go to that specific classroom.
“Look, there is no furniture and the classroom is damaged. Now, learners are afraid to come to this class because they have to carry some desks. That means every time my period will be disrupted because I have to wait close to 20 minutes before everyone settles down.
“So, that is the strategy that the principal of the school is using to frustrate me and make sure that my learners fail. She will then tell community members that I am not qualified, lacking classroom management and all these other things,” he said.
The teacher further alleged that he knows that the school principal has reserved the position he is currently occupying for one of the residents, who is still studying at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley. The teacher added that, currently, he is only teaching in this shandy because the principal alleged that he is not qualified to teach in high school.
“This is actually a human rights violation because you will find that I’m in one class for six periods, where I’ll be teaching Natural Sciences, Creative Arts and Technology.
“So, this is the kind of frustration that I am subjected to. The high school that I’m appointed to teach does not have a building. You will find the principal always in the kitchen making sure that she monitors all those who are cooking,” he said.
The teacher also accused the principal of being a gossip monger and always surrounded herself with women from the township who do not have matric. He alleged that the staff room is in shambles and looks like a pigsty.
“She also tells the AA not to open the staff room before 8am. The principal and her crew will sometimes arrive at 8:30am. I have laid complaints to the North West Department of Education, however, no one is doing anything because I am seen as a trouble maker.
“Some teachers also take food from school,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi refuted these allegations. Motsumi said the allegations, which are irresponsible, were shared on social media and have since gone viral.
“They misrepresent the department’s efforts to improve school infrastructure. The department confirms that a request for additional funding to relocate unused mobile classrooms was submitted by the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District office in 2024, with Nqunde Secondary identified as a recipient.
“On 9 January 2025, additional funding was approved, and a site handover took place on 25 February 2025, with the SGB Chairperson signing the handover certificate,” she said.
Motsumi said by 13 March 2025, the project had been completed, with mobile classrooms assembled, renovated, and furnished. She said a completion certificate was signed by both the principal and the SGB Chairperson, confirming that the necessary infrastructure improvements had been made.
“We strongly caution against the irresponsible use of social media to spread misinformation and discredit the efforts of the department. It is deeply concerning that some educators, instead of focusing on their core duty of teaching and uplifting learners, are engaging in the deliberate spread of falsehoods.
“The department remains committed to transparency and service delivery, and we urge teachers to follow proper channels to address concerns rather than resorting to social media theatrics,” said Motsumi.
She said the department urges all educators to uphold their professional responsibilities and refrain from misleading the public by distorting facts.
Picture: Police divers retrieved a body of a man from the dam/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
25 March 2025- A man (21) allegedly drowned at Kareenpan Dam in Postmasburg on 23 March 2025. The body was retrieved today at 10:45am by the Northern Cape SAPS Search and Rescue Unit and North West SAPS Diving Unit.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the Postmasburg SAPS are investigating an inquest. Shemane said anyone with information can contact the Postmasburg SAPS detectives on 082 302 0391or 082 878 0920 or the SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or report it on the MySaps app.
“All information will be treated confidentially. The investigation continues,” he said.
Picture: The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Nathan Oliphant/Facebook
By BAKANG MOKOTO
25 March 2025- On Wednesday, the North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Premier and Finance, will be conducting public hearings on the North West Appropriation Bill 2025 at White Hall in Brits, Madibeng Local Municipality, Tigane Community Hall in Tigane, Matlosana Local Municipality, Bona Bona Community Hall in Bona Bona, Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality and Delareyville Municipal Hall, Delareyville, Tswaing Local Municipality at 10h00.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Nathan Oliphant said the North West Appropriation Bill 2025 aims to effect the appropriation of money from the Provincial Revenue Fund for the requirements of the Province in respect of the 2025/26 financial year, and to provide for matters incidental thereto. Oliphant said relevant stakeholders have been invited to attend the public hearing.
The public hearings will be streamed live on the North West Provincial Legislature Facebook page.
Picture: A man sentenced to life imprisonment for rape/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
25 March 2025- A man (37) sentenced to life imprisonment for rape. On 18 September 2022, the girlfriend left her boyfriend with her younger sister and visited her mother in hospital in Postdene, near Postmasburg.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said, however, the boyfriend raped the younger sister (13). Shemane said that evening when the sister returned from the hospital, she found the child extremely upset.
“The victim reported the incident to her sister, who subsequently contacted the police and a case of rape was registered the same night. The accused was arrested the following day, 19 September 2022.
“On 17 March 2025, the Postmasburg Regional Court found accused guilty and sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment for rape and life imprisonment for rape. Count 1 to run concurrently with the sentence of count 2,” he said.
He further said the boyfriend who was entrusted to look after a girl, rather took advantage of the situation and sexually assaulted and raped her. He added that the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his name is to be entered into the National Register of Sexual Offenders.
“He was also declared unfit to work with children,” said Shemane.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, has embraced the hefty prison sentence handed down to a child rapist. Otola applauded Detective Sergeant Gaolatlhe David Mongake of Postmasburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for the meticulous investigation conducted in ensuring the accused is removed permanently from society.
25 March 2025- The MM Sebitloane Special School in Lokaleng village, near Taung, has been rocked by an alleged job-for-pals scandal involving the school principal, Boipelo Gloria Mmokwa. This was after community members embarked on a protest at the school on Monday and demanded to be appointed.
According to some community members, Mmokwa appointed her cronies on various posts without even advertising. They alleged that those who were appointed come as far as Zeerust, Hartswater and Limpopo, while they are not being considered.
One of the community members who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “We have seen those posts a few months ago, but they were cancelled. However, we only realised now that there were people who were subsequently appointed.
“Those posts were not advertised. So, we demand fair treatment as a community of Lokaleng. We all meet the necessary criteria for those posts. So, we are not going to allow Mmokwa to run this school to the ground and undermine us,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said: “According to the information provided by MM Sebitloane, the School Governing Body (SGB) advertised positions for sports-related roles in response to a decline in sports participation. The SGB aimed to recruit individuals who could engage learners in various sports activities after school hours.
“Members of the community were given the opportunity to apply for these positions. All appointed individuals reside in Taung, a village in close proximity to the school.”
Molokwane said Mmokwa also refuted allegations that individuals were recruited from Hartswater, Zeerust areas and Limpopo Province. He said the SGB, as a legal entity, possesses the authority to appoint personnel and utilise their fundraising efforts to compensate for the services they require.
“Typically, SGBs provide stipends rather than salaries, as their budget does not permit such expenditures. In hostel schools, positions are created based on household needs, implying that the roles are defined according to the specific requirements of the hostel.
25 March 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements has raised concern about the management of the housing beneficiary lists for the Hillside View project in Mangaung in the Free State and called on all levels of government to work together to find urgent solutions. The committee yesterday concluded the first day of its week-long oversight visit to the Free State.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Nocks Seabi said it is concerning that the committee was informed that due to a contractual impasse, a contractor was responsible for the management of the list of beneficiaries, which has left the Department of Human Settlements with dual beneficiaries. Seabi said the committee has always maintained that an electronic list is critical to ensure that the right beneficiaries receive houses.
“It is completely unacceptable that the title deed registration was a contractor-driven process, which has led to discrepancies. The current challenges identified in Hillside View are the reason why the department must streamline its systems to ensure that the correct beneficiaries receive houses.
“The committee has, meanwhile, also raised concerns about the conflicting reports between the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and the provincial Department of Human Settlements about the Caleb Motshabi informal settlement,” he said.
Seabi further said, while the committee welcomed the assurance that an audit will be done to assess the project’s progress, it is concerned that the municipality says the project is at 66% completion while the province says the project is complete. He added that the fact that there is this disparity highlights a somewhat smell of corruption, but they will have to wait for a full audit report to reach a conclusive finding.
“We urged the provincial department to improve its project management and monitoring to ensure that such disparities do not develop in the future.
“The committee finds it extremely unacceptable that two spheres of government could have such disparities on project implementation. What worries us more is the working relationship between the two spheres, post the oversight visit by the committee,” he said.
Seabi said they also remain worried about the reported infrastructure vandalism and illegal connections in Mangaung, which destroys infrastructure and leads to additional expenses. He said the committee emphasised the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the provincial Department of Human Settlements to prosecute those that are at fault and are destroying critical infrastructure.
“Meanwhile, we also raised concerns about the challenges military veterans face in accessing quality houses in the province. While we acknowledge that the current departmental leadership has made great strides in strengthening relations with military veterans, it remains concerning that the department largely ignored the veterans’ concerns about the types and quality of the houses.
“The current leadership must ensure accountability because officials are hired to serve the people and not to stonewall them. The committee also reiterated its concerns about the appointment of inadequate and incompetent contractors to deliver projects,” said Seabi.
He said the committee’s concerns are based on the fact that these appointments lead to substandard housing and delays, as well as subsequent challenges like vandalism, financial loss due to rectifications and unauthorised occupation of the units.
“It remains important that the department appoints competent contractors that are able to deliver projects on time and to the requisite standards. The continued appointment of incapable contractors is tantamount to dereliction of duty.
“The committee will today continue with site visits in the Greater Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality,” said Seabi.
25 March 2025– During its oversight visit to the North West province on Monday, the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration raised concern about the number of unfunded vacant posts in the provincial government. The committee is on a week-long oversight visit to the North West and Gauteng provinces to assess the state of public services.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Jan De Villers said noting that there are 6756 vacant unfunded posts, committee members said this might create a temptation
to fill these posts. De Villers said, however, it urged the provincial government to avoid a situation where it overspends on employee compensation and encouraged the province to remove these posts from its organograms, as per Treasury guidelines.
“The committee is conducting the oversight to better understand the issues affecting public service in the province. Often there is much waste in the public sector, especially with so-called ghost employees in the system and on the payroll.
“This creates incredible waste that should be investigated, as it works against efforts to create a professional and ethical public service. The committee has decided to prioritise this,” he said.
De Villers further said they are here to see what has been done to reduce wastage in the public service. He added that they raised the issue in the presence of the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and asked what systems are in place to guard against it.
“The first step, the committee urged, is to clean up the province’s persal system. Noting the 255 misconduct cases the province recorded by quarter 3 of the 2024/25 financial year, the committee asked why finalising these cases takes so long.
“The committee heard that legal experts who chair these disciplinary hearings are often unavailable and the province has been advocating to run the process internally,” said de Villers.
He said the committee also heard that by the third quarter of this financial year, the cost for 15 officials on precautionary suspension was already in excess of R9 million and urged the department to finalise these cases more speedily. De Villers said the committee also said that relevant officials should be sent for training on disciplinary management.
“The Public Service Commission also made a presentation that outlined, among other things, the qualifications of senior management in the provincial administration.
“Members heard that based on data the PSC received from 11 departments in November 2023 and one department in May 2024, the departments of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, and Social Development and Public Works and Roads were the only departments in which all senior management members met the minimum requirements for their respective posts,” said de Villers.
He said the committee again stressed the need for adequate skills to build a capable and professional state. De Villers said the members also visit the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital to assess staffing and the level of service provided, among other things.
“Members asked about the status of the neonatal ward after the hospital made headlines about newborn babies placed in boxes amid a shortage of cribs a few years ago. The committee also raised concerns about the number of acting posts, including the hospital’s CEO.
“Members noted the frequent long waiting times caused by the hospital’s manual filing system. The committee was encouraged by the Centre for Public Innovation’s offer to assist in efforts to digitise systems,” said de Villers.
He said the committee also heard that the province, which was subject to a Section 100 intervention, is unsure about the status quo, as it never received a close-out report. De Villers said this is now affecting operations.
“The committee undertook to raise the issue with the relevant ministers and committees in the National Council of Provinces. Today, the committee will visit the Moses Kotane Hospital and the Home Affairs offices in Rustenburg before it makes its way to Gauteng for the second leg of the oversight visit,” said De Villers.
Setshwantsho-papiso- Sethunya se se dirisitsweng mo bosinying se thopilwe ke sepodisi
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
25 Mopitlwe 2025- Sepodisi sa Taung se batlisisa kgetsi ya go kgothosa o tlhometse. Se se tla morago ga gore banna ba ba sa itsiweng ba le ba tlhano, ba kgorogelo mong wa lebenkele (tuck shop) kwa kgaolong ya Dube kwa motseng wa Manthe ka Labotlhano bosigo.
Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ba neng ba rwele dithima-sefatlhego (balaclavas), ba ile ba kgorogela monna wa motswa-kwa. Go begwa fa ba ile ba mo shupa ka sethunya, mme ba mo tseela madi a seatleng a lekanyediwang go R4500, airtime ga mmogo le metsoko.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, are ga gona ope o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana.
“Dipatlisiso mo kgetsing e, di tsweletse mme mongwe le mongwe o a ka tswang a na le tshedimosetso mabapi le tiragalo e, a ka ikgolaganya le sepodisi ka go leletsa seteishene sa Taung kgotsa 10111,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.
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