Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has concluded one-on-one engagements with selected municipalities
By REGINALD KANYANE
17 April 2025- Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has concluded one-on-one engagements with selected municipalities to address specific issues of service delivery and the appointment of Section 54 Managers in these municipalities.
Vass said the series of meetings that started last week, with among others, the Frances Baard District Municipality, the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, the Gamagara Local Municipality, the Nama-Khoi Local Municipality, the Tsantsabane Local Municipality and the Emthanjeni Local Municipality, sought to receive reports on specific issues hampering service delivery and the processes to finalise key and strategic senior management positions in these municipalities.
He further said Vass received reports on issues related to water challenges in some of the municipalities, revenue collection strategies, as well as the delays in the appointment of key positions in some of the municipalities. Vass added that at the end of these meetings, he was happy with the feedback received about the progress the municipalities are making to address service delivery challenges and the processes of filling critical vacancies, especially at a senior management level.
“I am happy that all the municipalities are having tangible plans in place to address a wide range of issues that I discussed with the mayors, speakers and accounting officers of these municipalities. The meetings were cordial and the agreed deliverables will be monitored closely by my office to ensure that there is compliance with all service delivery imperatives and legislative prescripts.
“We will continue to work with these municipalities in the spirit of cooperative governance as required by the District Development Model (DDM). Engagements with other identified municipalities will continue to ensure better service delivery to communities and stable administration in municipalities,” he said.
17 April 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi wishes all Christian-faith based organizations a safe and peaceful Easter Weekend filled with spiritual rejuvenation. Mokgosi has called on residents to observe this weekend with extra care and caution following inclement weather conditions, which have damaged private property and public infrastructure.
He further appeals to road users to be vigilant as thousands will be travelling to various holiday destinations and denominations for divine intervention. Mokgosi added that faith-based organizations remain an important puzzle of the province’s social fabric, particularly as the government continues to forge ahead with finding solutions to a number of challenges afflicting the province.
“The country’s democratic foundation was among others spearheaded by faith-based organizations, as South Africa will mark thirty-one years of freedom on 27 April. The participation of faith-based organizations in community driven development issues is needed more than ever.
“Through liberation theology leaders of faith-based organizations were instrumental in raising the alarm on atrocities which were meted on our people by Apartheid. While we have made progress in addressing this legacy, the next 30 years requires all of us to work together and in particular faith-based organizations to work hand in glove with the government to find permanent solutions to a number of challenges afflicting our communities,” he said.
Mokgosi said, furthermore, the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, has been hard at work activating the Easter Weekend Plans, which among others, encapsulate a thorough monitoring of arterial routes such as N4, N12, N14 as well as N18. He said priority will also be given to provincial roads, as well as rural areas, where there has been a growing trend of accidents in the last few years.
17 April 2025 – The Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and the Minister in the Presidency convened a significant dual-session meeting focused on two critical issues, finalising the C-list of the Marine Oil Pollution (Preparedness, Response and Cooperation) Bill [B10B–2022] and scrutinising audit outcomes presented by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) for the departments of Transport and Public Works and Infrastructure.
The committee said it considered the final list of amendments to the Marine Oil Pollution Bill, which gives legislative effect to South Africa’s obligations under the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) Convention.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Rikus Badenhorst said all nine provincial legislatures had submitted negotiating mandates – most with constructive proposals. Badenhorst said these proposals, especially those from the Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape, were adopted by the Department of Transport and significantly improved the Bill’s clarity, consistency and enforceability.
“I want to commend the provincial legislatures for their thorough engagement. This bill is a triumph of cooperative governance and shows how meaningful input from stakeholders and provinces can strengthen our legislative framework to protect our coastlines and maritime economy.
“During the second part of the session, the committee hosted a robust workshop with AGSA, which focused on the audit findings of the two departments. The AGSA flagged numerous issues from the 6th Parliament pertaining to both these crucial departments, late or missing Medium-Term Strategic Framework indicators in annual performance plans (APPs), lack of accountability for delayed projects and budget overruns, and a troubling absence of maintenance indicators aligned with asset profiles,” he said.
Badenhorst further said these findings are deeply concerning. He added that, they are not seeing evidence-based planning, but rather compliance-driven paperwork.
“If departments are reporting achievements without reliable evidence – or omitting key deliverables altogether – then we are not just failing oversight, we are failing the people of South Africa.
“A critical discussion point raised was the growing culture of non-payment to entities like the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE), which threatens the sustainability of public infrastructure delivery,” said Badenhorst.
He said organ of state debt now exceeds R4 billion to the PMTE and R600 million to the IDT. Badenhorst proposed that the AGSA consider incorporating payment compliance to public entities into future audit scopes.
“As Parliament, we cannot allow this cycle of neglect and financial strangulation of critical infrastructure agencies to continue. The committee resolved to consider the final mandates on the bill in the next parliamentary term and committed to enhanced oversight during the review of departmental strategic plans and APPs during the 7th Parliament,” he said.
17 April 2025- Pardon me for I did not speak in time! O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, North West. Fellow comrades and compatriots, allow me to address a matter that weighs heavily in my heart, the hearts and minds of many in the North West.
Pardon me for not speaking in time!
It is no secret that the African National Congress (ANC), once a beacon of hope and progress, is facing a profound crisis in our region. This piece is not simply a critique of the current state of the ANC in the North West.
It is a call to action for all of us who are deeply invested in the future of our province. Let us take a moment to reflect on the spirit that once animated the ANC. This organization was born out of struggle and sacrifice.
Pardon me for not speaking in time!
The ANC was built on the foundations of unity, justice, and the relentless pursuit of equality. We celebrated victories together. We stood shoulder to shoulder, ready to challenge the injustices of our past. But today, the branches of the ANC in North West are virtually non-existent.
This is not just a structural failure. This is a failure of vision and leadership. It is disheartening to see that there is little to no work being done in the province. A once revolutionary house, Getrude Mphekwa is in shambles in the presence of the ANC leadership in the province, shame on you.
The absence of active branches means that our voices are muffled. It means that our concerns are not being heard. The very organization that once championed our rights now seems disconnected from the grassroots reality of our communities.
The frustration among ANC members is palpable. It echoes through the streets, in our homes, and in the hearts of our people.
Pardon me for not speaking in time!
We must ask ourselves why this is happening. How did we arrive at this point where the ANC, a once formidable force, is now struggling to maintain relevance in our province? The answers lie in a combination of neglect, disillusionment, and a failure to engage meaningfully with the people.
The leadership has become distant, focused more on internal power struggles than on the needs of the community. The discontent is not just limited to party members.
It spills over into the general populace. Citizens are seeking answers. They are looking for leaders who will listen, who will act, and who will restore faith in our political system.
Pardon me for not speaking in time!
We cannot afford to ignore the voices of the people any longer. The silence of our leaders is deafening. It is a silence that speaks of betrayal, a silence that reflects a lost connection with those who put their trust in the ANC. Now, as we stand at this crossroads, we must decide what legacy we want to build for the future of the North West.
The demise of the ANC does not have to be our fate. We can reclaim our party and restore its purpose. We can reignite the spirit of activism and engagement that once defined us.
But this requires a collective effort. It requires us to hold our leaders accountable and demand transparency and action. We must mobilize at the grassroots level. We must rejuvenate our branches and ensure they are active vehicles for change.
There is no time to waste. We need to engage with our communities and listen to their stories. We must be their champions, advocating for their needs and aspirations. In this way, we can begin to restore faith in the ANC as a transformative force in the North West.
Pardon me for not speaking in time!
Additionally, we must prioritize the rebuilding of trust. Trust is not given freely. It must be earned through consistent actions and genuine commitment to the people we serve.
We need leaders who are not just politicians, but community servants. Leaders, who will walk the streets, engage in dialogue and work tirelessly to uplift the lives of our citizens.
Let us also remember that the power to change does not rest solely with our leaders. It is in our hands as members of the ANC and as citizens of North West. We need to be proactive. We need to challenge the status quo and advocate for the changes we want to see.
We must create spaces for dialogue, where our concerns can be voiced and addressed. The journey ahead will not be easy because others are carrying money in their bags and boots of their expensive cars.
We will face resistance such as gate keeping. But history has shown us that when people come together with a shared purpose, change is not just possible. It is inevitable. ANC members must have the strength of collective will. We have the resilience of our communities.
We must harness this energy to revive the ANC in the North West and ensure it is a force for good. We owe it to our forebears just to name a few, Moses Mauane Kotane, “Uncle” John Beaver Marks, Mama Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Abram Onkgopotse Tiro, Mme Gertrude Mphekwa, Ntate Molefi Sefularo.
Pardon me for not speaking in time!
Let us not be passive witnesses to the demise of the ANC in our province. Let us be active participants in its revival. Together, we can create a new narrative.
A narrative rooted in accountability, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the people we represent and enact, “Through the eye of the needle”. The future of the ANC and the future of North West depend on us. Let us rise to the occasion and be part of the ANC renewal programme and reclaim our legacy.
Amandla ase Masebeni.
(Note: The article is written by Shuping Daddy Sebolecwe, who is a member of ANC in good-standing in Ward 28, Mahikeng. He wrote this article in his personal capacity and the content does not represent The Guardian newspaper and its associates. The views in the article remain of the author and The Guardian newspaper does not agree nor disagree with it.)
Setshwantsho: Lefapha la Thuto mo Bokone Bophirima le etele lelapa la moithuti o tlhokafetseng/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
17 Moranang 2025- Ba lelapa la moithuti wa Grade 3 kwa sekolong se se potlana sa GJ Podile kwa motsesetoropong wa Montshioa, gaufi le Mahikeng, ba re ba setse ban a le dipotso ka mokwa o sekolong se samaganeng le go tlhokafala ga ngwana wa bone ka teng. Bothati go tswa kwa Lefapheng La Thuto mono Bokone Bophirima, ba letse ba etetse lelapa la ga Ogone Sedupelele (8), yo o ileng a tlhokafala morago ga magatwe a gore o jele mazimba a nang le bolthole.
Go begwa fa Ogonne ga mmogo le mogoloe, Gofaone Sedupelele (10), ba ile ba lwala kwa sekolong morago ga go ja mazimba a nang le bolthole, mme ba a rekile go morekisi mongwe wa kwa mebileng. Go na le dipego tsa gore sekolo gas a dira sepe go na bona gore baithuti ba, ba bona thuso ya potlako.
Sebueledi sa lelapa, Itumeleng Tau are kopano ya bone le bothati go tswa kwa Lefapheng la Thuto mono Bokone Bophirima, e nnile e e tlhaloganyesegang. Tau are ba utlwane, fela ba setse ba na le dipotso ka mokgwa o sekolo se ileng sa samagana le kgetsi e ka gone.
“Fela re dumalane gore e tla re morago ga phitlho, re tla nna le kopano le ba lefapha go tla go atlhaatlha ntlha e. Go ya ka rona, ngwana o tlhokafetseng, o tlhokafaletse kwa sekolong fa mogolo ene a le kwa karolong ya balwetsi ba ba gateletsweng thata (ICU).
“Re na le tumelo ya gore ngwana o tlhokafetseng o, o dutse diura di feta pedi kwa sekolong a tlhokafetse. Se se re makaditseng ke gore, bana ba lwala kwa sekolong, mme sekolo ga se dire sepe go re itsise. Se se re utlwisitseng botlhoko le go, ga ba letsetsa le ambulance. Jaanong, dilo tseo tsotlhe ga di a di dula sentle. Re ipotsa gore fa ene e se letsatsi la go tsaya di report tsa bana, go tla be go diragetse eng,” Tau wa tlhalosa.
Tau are ba na le tumelo ya gore ngwana o kwa ICU, Gofaone, le ene o kabe a tlhokafetse, gonne ba dutse nako e telele thata kwa sekolong a lwala. Tau are jaanong, ba batla go tlhaloganya kemo ya lefapha mabapi le pabalesego ya baithuti kwa dikolong.
“Fa bana ba rona ba le kwa dikolong mo tlase ga tlhokomelo ya barutabana, a ba sireletsegile? A mme barutabana ba letleletswe go letsetsa ambulance fa go ka nna le bothata mabapi le moithuti mongwe kwa sekolong kgotsa jang.
“Re ile ra itsisiwe ke motsadi o aneng a ile kwa sekolong go ya go tsaya di report tsa bana ba gagwe. Motsadi wa ntlha o bone tiragalo e ka ura ya borobongwe mo mosong, mme a romelela mmagwe ngwana molaetsa wa WhatsApp. Ka maswabi, mmagwe ngwana one a sena data, mme ga bona molaetsa o,” Tau wa tlhalosa.
Tau are motsadi wa bobedi, Nomonde Cindi, o ile a tla kwa lelapeng ka bone, mme a tsamaya le ngwana wa sekolo o aneng a ile go mo botsha kwa Ogone le Gofaone ba dulang teng. Tau are Cindi o ile a ba tlhalosetsa fa bana ba bone ba lwala.
“Mmagwe bana ba o ile a tabogela kwa sekolong. Ke nnete o ile a fitlhela o mo tonna a lwala thata, mme ene ya re fa a fetsa go mo bona, one a laelwa fa ngwana o mongwe, Ogone, a robetse kwa phaphosing. O ile a mo fitlhela a sa bonye le go bonya, mme a sa itse gore a ngwana wa tshela kgotsa jang.
“Are o fitlhetse letlalo la ngwana le le lesetlha ekare ke gone a bonwang. O ile a tsaya bana bao ba le babedi go ba isa kwa kliniking ka thuso ya mongwe wa barutabana. Fa ba tsena kwa kliniking, baoki ba ile bam o tlhalosetsa fa ngwana o mogolo a lwala thata mo ebileng ba ka se kgone go mo thusa, mme a tabogisetswe kwa bookelong,” Tau wa tlhalosa.
Tau are, fela baoki ba ile ba tlhalosa fa ngwana wa bobedi e le kgale a tlhokafetse. Tau are sekgala magareng ga sekolo sa GJ Podile le go ya kwa kliniking, ga se fete metsotso ele metlhano.
“Jaanong, seo se bontsha fa ngwana a dutse diura di feta pedi a tlhokafetse. Tiragalo e, ga ya tshwara mmagwe bana sentle, mme o utlwile botlhoko thata. Re le lelapa re wetswe ke leru, mme re ipotsa gore go kgonagetse jang gore batsadi ba le teng kwa sekolong, mme ngwana a tlhokafale jaana?
“Re dumela fa barutabana ba ne ba tsibogile ka nako, re ka be re se fa. Jaaka lelapa, ga rena le madi a go ka tsaya dikgato tsa semolao, gonne re bo gopane ba moikapari. Sekolo se tlhalosa fa se lekile go letsa, mme se tlhalosa fa dinomoro di ne di le robongwe,” Tau wa tlhalosa.
Fela Tau o ganetsana le magtwe ao, mme a re go ne go na le dinomoro tse dingwe tse pedi, mem go baneng sekolo di sa di dirisa.
Mongwe wa batsadi ba ba boneng ka matlho, Nomonde Cindi are one a ile go tsaya di report tsa ban aba gagwe kwa sekolong fa a ne a ka bona tiragalo e. Cindi are ene ya re fa a tsena kwa sekolong, o ile a fetela kwa phaphosing ya ngwana wa gagwe, Andile Cindi.
“Ke ile ka fitlhela baithuti ba setse ba tswile kwa phaphosing, mme ke ile ka botsa gore morutabana o kae. Ke ile ka bolelelwa fa morutabana a tswile. Ke ile ka leba kwa phaphosing ya bana ba ga nnake, gonne le bone ba tsena sekolo kwa GJ Podile.
“Ke ile ka fitlhela morutabana, ga mmogo le moithuti o tlhokafetseng a robetse ka mpa ya sebete, mme a khurumeditswe ka kapi ya tracksuit e a neng a e apere. Morutabana o ile a nkopa gore ke mo shebe gore a ke a mo itse, gonne go tlhalositswe fa a dula kwa di Smarties,” Cindi wa tlhalosa.
Cindi are o ile a khurumulula ngwana go mo sheba, fela o ile a mo fitlhela a sa bonye le go bonya. Cindi are one a mo tlogela, mme a leba kwa phaphosing ya morwae, Andile.
“Ke ile ka fitlhela morutabana, mme ka tsaya se ke se tsayang. Kei le ka boela kwa phaphosing e moithuti o tlhokafetseng ane a kwa go yone. Ke ile ka kopa morutabana go ithaopa go ya go batla kwa moithuti o a dulang teng. Fela ke ile ka tlhalosa fa ke sa go tlhaloganye sentle, mme ke ile ka kopa moithuti a le mongwe o itseng kwa lelapeng la moithuti o, go ka tsamaya le nna.
“Re fitlhile kwa lelapeng, mme ke fitlhetse malome wa moithuti o, mme o ile a letsetsa mme mmagwe moithuti o, yo o ileng a tlhalosa fa a setse a le kwa toropong, fela o mo tseleng. Re ile ra boela kwa sekolong, mme ke ile ka fitlhela mmagwe ngwana a tshwere Gofaone,” Cindi wa tlhalosa.
Cindi are, ngwana o neng a le kwa phaphosing, ene one a sa shebiwe. Are, fela morutabana mongwe o ne a ba pega mo sejanageng sa gagwe, mme a ba isa kwa kliniking.
“Ke nnete moithuti o neng a ntsheditswe kwa ntle gore a itewe ke phefo, o ile a patelewa go shutlha matlhatsa a gagwe. Ke fitlhetse baithuti ba ntsheditswe kwa ntle, mme ene one a patelediwa go shutlha matlhatsa le fa a ne a le bokoa.
“Tiragalo e, e nkamile thata mme ke ipotsa gore a bana ba rona ba babalesegile kwa sekolong, gonne tiragalo e, e ka diragalela ngwana mongwe le mongwe. Ke utlwile botlhoko thata, mme ke tshepa fa ba losika ba ka tshidisega,” Cindi wa tlhalosa.
Sebueledi sa Lefapha La Thuto mo Bokone Bophirima, Mphata Molokwane are: “Dipatlisiso mabapi le kgang e di tsweletse, mme re kopane le ba lelapa go ka bona tharabololo mo kgannyeng e. Re tlile go ntsha kitsiso ya dipatlisiso morago ga gore dikonosediwe.
“O tla gopola gore mo ngwageng o fetileng, re ile ra ntsha kitsiso go dikolo, mme re kopa batsadi go se neele bana madi fa a ya sekolong. Baithuti ba, ba reka dijo tse di sa siamang go barekisi ba bam o mebileng fa sekolo se tswa, mme ga nke re itse gore a dijo tseo di siametse go ka jewa.”
Kgabagre, lekoko la ANCWL mo Mahikeng, Kgalalelo Gorapelwe are ba utlwisitswe botlhoko ke tiragalo e, fela ba tshepa fa ba lelapa ba ka tshidisega.
Picture: SAPS in Northern Cape engage with community members in Prieska/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
17 April 2025- A man (33) was arrested for possession of tik and mandrax, while a large amount of concoction was confiscated and destroyed during shebeen raids. The suspect was arrested during multi-disciplinary disruptive actions by Provincial Components, the Tactical Response Team, De Aar K9, Prieska SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, Traffic Department, Liquor and Gambling Board and the Prieska Community Police Forum (CPF), which also raided shebeens and drug outlets in Prieska.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said compliance inspections were conducted at shops and liquor outlets in the greater Prieska policing area. Kock said the blitz operations also yielded successes at a roadblock on the N10 road, near Prieska.
“During the roadblock, 48 vehicles and 77 persons were stopped and searched, while seven fines were issued amounting to R3450 for different traffic offences. The police then engaged with the community in the Pixley Ka Seme.
“The community raised issues and concerns. The Keynote address was delivered by the Northern Cape Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Johnny Besnaar, who commended the Prieska Community for their attendance and for the assistance offered to the SAPS and all other relevant role players,” he said.
Kock further said Besnaar also assured the community that the police will be out in full force with more boots on the ground during and beyond the Easter holidays. He added that the communities should practice road safety and continue to be the eyes and ears of the police as crime fighting is everyone’s responsibility.
17 April 2025- The government said it welcomes the recent findings by Intelpoint’s Research, which rank South Africa as the second most literate country on the African continent, with an adult literacy rate of 95%. This research is based on the percentage of the population aged 15 years and older who are able to read and write.
The acting GCIS spokesperson, Nomonde Mnukwa said this remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s progressive education policies and programmes, implemented since the advent of democracy in 1994. Mnukwa said it reflects a significant and sustained reduction in adult illiteracy, underscoring the success of ongoing efforts to broaden access to quality education for all South Africans.
“A range of education initiatives led by government since the first democratic government administration until the 6th administration, have contributed to these gains. These initiatives are underpinned by strategies focused on teacher development, access to quality learning materials, and cultivating a culture of reading from an early age.
“In the 7th administration, government continues to prioritise literacy development in the foundational years of education. Our Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes have been strengthened through the adoption of international best practices, improving school readiness among young children,” she said.
Mnukwa further said government takes pride in this achievement, and is committed to addressing remaining gaps and accelerating efforts toward achieving universal literacy. She added that they take this opportunity express appreciation to the hard work of the previous Ministers of Education, including the longest serving Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga.
“We extend best wishes to the current Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, in continuing with the implementation of measures to improve foundational education and the expansion of teaching in indigenous/ home languages.
Picture: The Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane
By BAKANG MOKOTO
16 April 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said today has laid corruption charges against the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane. Simelane is alleged to have defrauded Eskom, while working for Vitrovian, her previous employer.
The DA Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development and Member of Parliament (MP), Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach said they are confident that an investigation by SAPS will get to the bottom of these allegations. Breytenbach said the DA has laid charges of corruption against Simelane after she is alleged to have stolen more than R700 000 by fraudulently billing Eskom when she worked for Vitrovian.
“Eskom is reported to have used Vitrovian, a consulting firm, to suppress protests at the Kusile Power Plant during its construction. Vitrovians’s charges to Eskom appear ridiculously inflated and Eskom was allegedly invoiced by Vitrovian for work done by employees that did not exist.
“Simelane’ signature appears on the very first of these fraudulent invoices, directly implicating her in the scandal. This is in addition to Simelane’s alleged involvement and subsequent implication in the looting of VBS Bank,” she said.
Breytenbach further said the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has repeatedly refused to disclose the content of Simelane’s report to him on these allegations, despite several requests by the DA that he does so. She added that Ramaphosa’s continued protection of Simelane raises serious questions on his ability and willingness to root out corruption at the highest level.
“Ramaphosa is allowing a culture of impunity among ANC Ministers implicated in corruption, and if he fails to remove Simelane from her post, he will become complicit in the corruption he says he is intent on fighting.
“We trust that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will launch a full investigation into Simelane and her involvement in this corruption scandal. The DA is determined to purge this government of its corrupt officials, with or without the help of the President, and we eagerly await the outcome of the investigation,” said Breytenbach.
The Guardian 