Monthly Archives: April 2025

Three men accused of killing policeman remanded in custody  

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Picture: Members of SAPU picketing outside Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

7 April 2025- A murder case against three accused, Karabo Kunene Karabo (25), Taolo Sebolai (23) and Boikanyo Setlhabetsi (19), was postponed by the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court until 16 April 2025, for formal bail application. The trio was arrested in connection with the murder of a policeman, Constable Eric Tekolo (41), who was stationed at Bray Police Station.

 Last Friday in the evening, Tekolo was allegedly attacked and stabbed by unknown men while walking in the streets of Phohung Section, in Ganyesa. The assailants allegedly took his cellphone and wallet before they fled the scene.

Tekolo was allegedly ferried to the local clinic by his younger brother Pesaloma, who found him in the streets injured. However, Eric passed away upon arrival at the clinic.

North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said a multidisciplinary team composed of various police units was assembled to investigate the murder of Tekolo. Manyoba said the team made a breakthrough when they arrested three suspects on 5 April 2025.

“According to information, the late Tekolo was taken to the local clinic after being found with stab wounds on the street at Phohung Section, Ganyesa village, outside Vryburg on Friday evening, 4 April 2025. Tekolo later succumbed to his injuries.

“Ensuing investigations culminated in the arrest of the trio, aged 19, 23 and 25, including the recovery of some of the victim’s robbed goods. The accused briefly appeared in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on 7 April 2025, facing charges of robbery and murder,” she said.  

The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, said that the involvement of youth in crime and substance abuse is a cause for great concern, which has robbed not only the family of a breadwinner, but also the country and the community of a young responsible person who wanted to serve and protect. Asaneng further said the accused have brought shame to their families and unbearable pain to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Constable.

“This senseless, barbaric murder is confirming the moral decay and gratuitous violence within society,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng welcomed the breakthrough by the police in the arrest of three accused. Morweng said they are calling on community members to work closely with police to eliminate criminals out of the communities because they have chosen to be animals.

“If a person becomes an animal in the community, let’s treat her or him as such and if that animal is a problem, let’s remove it from the society and take it where it belongs, which is jail.

“You look at their ages. They are very young and should be contributing positively to the development of their community, not to its destruction as they chose to,” he said.

Morweng further said the attack on the police is equal to the attack on the state. He added that, as the state, they will not fold their arms and render useless.

“We must hit hard to free our communities from these cowards. We send messages of condolences to the family and the SAPS community. I will be visiting the family today in the afternoon,” said Morweng.

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Minister Solly Malatsi accused of appeasing business by fouling the law  

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Picture. Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 April 2025 –The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Diko, has expressed serious concern at what appear to be attempts by Minister Solly Malatsi, to erode state capacity and thwart South Africa’s transformation laws. On 4 April 2025, Malatsi appeared in parliament to respond to questions for written reply from the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).

Khusela further said in his responses, Malatsi indicated that he was in the process of gazetting regulations that, in effect, would devolve powers from SITA to departments in a quest for what he calls “efficiency and cost savings”. She added that, while this intention demonstrates an appreciation of the challenges experienced by SITA’s client departments, the proposed regulations serve no purpose other than to worsen existing fragmentation, duplication and lack of integration in government services.

“Further, the proposed regulations clearly run afoul of both the letter and spirit of the SITA Act. The Act, as amended, prescribes that SITA’s purpose is to “provide information technology, information systems and related services to, or on behalf of, participating departments and regarding these services, act as an agent of the South African Government.

“Section 7(3) of the Act directs that “every department must, subject to subsection (4), procure all information technology goods or services through the Agency.” Nothing in the Act gives the Minister authority to circumvent legislation and devolve to departments functions allocated to SITA,” said Diko.

She said at a time when the country is still recovering from a period in which the capacity of the state was all but hollowed out, Malatsi should be seeking a return to that unfortunate trajectory should alarm them all. Diko said SITA was established with the express intention of achieving efficiencies and cost-effectiveness, so the Minister should be occupied with strengthening this critical agency, not crippling it.

“The service delivery challenges at SITA are not insurmountable. They require effective leadership prepared to put in the work, like many other Ministers, to rebuild and strengthen existing state institutions,” said Ms Diko.

“The critical programme of digitalisation of the state requires a strong SITA that coordinates and ensures standardisation and interoperability, an objective not currently being met,” she said.

Diko said devolving functions to departments merely multiplies the problem across silos, resulting in further duplication, fragmentation and lack of coherence in quest for a digitally transformed public service. She said the Portfolio Committee has announced its intention to hold an inquiry into SITA during the coming parliamentary term.

“The aim is to find viable and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing SITA, an exercise the Minister did not see fit to concern himself with, instead seeking to cut corners and circumvent the law.

“The Minister has also undertaken to launch another offensive against South Africa’s transformation laws governing his portfolio by seeking to bypass the Electronic Communications Act to appease recalcitrant business interests,” said Diko.

She said in a recent article in the media, the Minister announced his intention to issue a policy directive on the role of equity equivalent programmes in the ICT sector as a mechanism to accelerate broadband access. Diko said once again, Malatsi is seeking to cut corners and erode hard-won transformation goals.

“The Electronic Communications Act explicitly states in Section 9(2)(b) that the percentage of equity ownership to be held by historically disadvantaged groups must not be less than 30% for any potential licensee seeking to operate in the telecommunications, broadcasting or postal sectors in South Africa.

“Malatsi should know that when it comes to transformation in the ICT sector, the law is clear on compliance and that cutting corners and circumvention is not an option – least of all to appease business interests,” she said.

Diko said it appears these proposed directives and regulations are an attempt to undermine empowerment legislation by stealth and, should this be found to be the case, they will be fiercely opposed. She said the Portfolio Committee is on record affirming its support for the government’s efforts to attract investment and meet the National Development Plan (NDP) target of universal coverage by 2030.

“These imperatives must and can be achieved within the laws governing the country. To this end, the Chairperson has congratulated mobile network operator MTN and their partner Lynk Global for successfully conducting Africa’s first satellite-to-phone voice call in the North West.

“These initiatives underscore the importance of fast-tracking South Africa’s satellite programme and that there is no need for overreliance and obsession with a single satellite provider,” said Diko.

She said several other satellite providers have indicated keen interest in entering the South African market and in compliance with our laws. Diko said the Minister is urged to follow the proper channels if amendments to the law are sought, as any attempt to subvert the country’s hard-fought-for and won transformative laws will be resisted.

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MRM condemns looting of overturned truck

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Picture: Villagers looting overturned truck/Screengrab

By REGINALD KANYANE

7 April 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Monday, condemned looting of bags of maize meal from an overturned truck in Dinokana village, outside Zeerust over the weekend. This follows a video that has gone viral on social media showing scores of villagers pillaging from an accident scene.  

The Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said the despicable act that happened while the driver of the overturned truck was still trapped in the vehicle with only two to three rescuers struggling to pull him from the wreckage, depicts moral decay. Kgwele further said they are concerned that the involvement of children in the looting of goods from an accident scene is inadvertently teaching them to embrace community values that undermine compassion and ubuntu.

“Accident scenes must be respected and not tempered with in order not to jeopardize investigations. If you are not part of the rescue effort, you should not be near a scene of accident as this hampers progress.

“Shooting videos for social media content is not only insensitive, but also undermines the moral and ethical society that we seek to create,” he cautioned.

Kgwele added that, such conduct if not confronted, has the potential to promote escalation of crime along the N4 RSA-Botswana route. He said they urge the SAPS, Border Management Authority and Road Traffic Management to intensify visibility and crime prevention operations along the route to ensure safe travel of motorists and transportation of goods to and from neighbouring countries.

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Ramaphosa: “A budget for inclusive growth and development”

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By OBAKENG MAJE

7 April 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said, last week, Parliament adopted the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals as tabled in the Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance. Ramaphosa said the 2025 Budget is directed at growing the economy and supporting the livelihoods of our people.

He further said it is a critical instrument to drive development, eradicate poverty and narrow inequality. Ramaphosa added that, at a time of constrained economic growth and narrow fiscal space, the budget must direct sufficient resources to activities that encourage inclusive growth and lay the groundwork for sustained economic recovery.

“It reflects the strategic priorities of the Government of National Unity (GNU): inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living and building a capable, ethical and developmental state.

“The Budget advances the Government’s commitment to uplift the material conditions of South Africans. Once our debt repayments have been taken out, 61% of spending over the next three years has been allocated to the social wage,” he said.

Ramaphosa said this includes the provision of free primary healthcare, basic and tertiary education and housing. He said over the past 24 years, they have implemented an indigent policy under which free water, electricity and sanitation services are provided to qualifying households.

“Social grants, like the child care, old age and disability grants, are another tool for alleviating poverty. This year, the value of these grants will increase at above inflation. The Social Relief of Distress grant, which has played an important role in poverty alleviation, will also be extended for another year.

“As part of improving access to healthcare, there will be a higher allocation of funding to clinics and community health centres. We are investing in the recruitment and retention of health personnel, particularly doctors and nurses, and to employ newly qualified doctors after their community service ends,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the budget allocates substantial funds to other frontline services such as teachers, police, emergency personnel and the Border Management Authority. Ramaphosa said improving educational outcomes is key to community upliftment, development and producing the skills needed by the economy. Ramaphosa said budgetary allocations have been made to support teacher training, for expanded mother-tongue bilingual education and for early reading programmes.

“This year sees a substantial investment in early childhood development, reflecting our commitment to establishing a solid foundation for the development of every child.

Additional funds have been allocated to public employment programmes, which play an important role in providing work opportunities at a time when economic growth is constrained.

“To encourage entrepreneurship, funds have been made available to support small businesses. Adjustments are being made to the Employee Tax Incentive to further incentivise businesses to hire more young people,” he said.

Ramaphosa said South Africa’s expenditure on the social wage can only be sustained if there are higher levels of economic growth. He said the budget allocates considerable resources to encourage infrastructure development, which drives growth and job creation.

“Taken together, up to R1 trillion will be spent on infrastructure over the medium term. This includes the allocation in this Budget of an additional R62 billion over the next three years for road maintenance, electricity transmission lines, water and sanitation projects, school infrastructure and to support the ongoing recovery of our rail networks.

“Support is also provided to other growth-enhancing measures in the medium term, including incentive programmes in automotive, business process outsourcing, special economic zones, electric vehicle production, clothing and textiles and other sectors,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the 2025 Budget makes adjustments to allocations to municipalities to enable them to address their infrastructure needs, improve service delivery and improve their revenue collection systems. Ramaphosa said in a challenging economic environment – both locally and globally – this year’s budget supports measures to drive growth and relieve the effects of poverty.

“At the same time, it aims to stabilise public finances and continue to reduce our national debt. The budget reflects the priorities of the Government’s Medium Term Development Plan, a five-year programme of action that prioritises rapid, inclusive growth, creating a more just society and building state capacity.

“At a time when our singular focus must be the South African people, we need to use the limited resources we have to work together for the common good,” he said.

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Vass appointed as acting Northern Cape Premier

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Picture: The acting Northern Cape Premier, Bentley Vass/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 April 2025- The Northern CapePremier, Dr Zamani Saul is currently leading a delegation from the Northern Cape attending the 14th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) in Abu Dhabi. The delegation includes the Northern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies-Magage and other senior government officials.

Saul said the AIM Congress is the World’s leading Investment Platform with its objective being to create investment opportunities and develop economic relations amongst Nations. He further said this is in line with the Northern Cape Provincial Government’s quest to attract investment to the province in an effort to grow its economy.

“The team from the Northern Cape will participate in the different sessions taking place over the next three days, ensuring that the World recognises the Northern Cape as South Africa’s new growth front.

“The MEC responsible for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has been sworn as the acting Premier from the 5 to 10 April 2025, by Deputy Judge President Mmathebe Phatshoane,” added Saul.

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Residents warned about overtopping as DWS opens 5th sluice gate  

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 April 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass cautioned the communities in low-lying areas of the riverbanks in the Northern Cape of possible overtopping following the opening of the 5th sluice gate of the Vaal Dam on 6 April 2025, by the Department of Water and Sanitation. Vass said due to the increased water releases by the five sluice gates, there might be a possible overflow at the riverbanks downstream and this will affect infrastructure built in lower-lying areas within the 100 metres.

He further discourages people from conducting rituals at the rivers and activities like baptisms, swimming and fishing and crossing the rivers by foot or with motor vehicles on submerged bridges. Vass added that, they have engaged all five District Disaster Management Centres across the province to submit situational reports to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), so that should the need arise for immediate intervention and mobilisation of resources, they are ready at the PDMC to provide such support.

“The department through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is on high alert for immediate response.  The Department of Water and Sanitation is continuously monitoring the water levels in the Vaal River System,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said due to the rapid increase of inflows into the Vaal Dam, a 5th sluice gate has been opened on Sunday to manage water levels that have increased overnight as a result of the ongoing rainfall in the Vaal River catchment.

Mavasa said this is 24-hours after the department opened the 4th sluice gate at the Vaal Dam.

“The water storage levels at the dam stood at 108% on Friday, but as of Sunday, the levels had risen to 109%. The outflows at the dam will increase from 550 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s) to just under 700 mᵌ/s.

“The inflows into the dam have increased since this morning from 1000 m3/s to 1200 m3/s by midday.

Bloemhof Dam storage levels have also risen from yesterday’s 103% to 107% this morning and water releases will be staggered incrementally from the current 1000 mᵌ/s to 1 100 m³/s at 10am; 1 200 m³/s at 12h00; 1 300 m³/s at 14h00 and the last increase at 16h00 to 1 400 m3/s,” he said.

Mavasa further said the increased outflows from Vaal Dam are expected to reach the Vaal Barrage in about 6 hours and Bloemhof Dam in 3 to 4 days and will result in water levels rising in both the dam and the river, overtopping the riverbanks. He added that, due to increased water releases by the five sluice gates, there might be a possible overflowing at the riverbanks downstream and this will affect infrastructure built in lower lying areas within the 100-year floodline.

“People living within the high floodline of the Vaal River downstream of the Vaal Dam and the Bloemhof Dam should evacuate and move to a safe area, and remove valuable equipment, movable infrastructure and livestock.

At Grootdraai Dam located in Mpumalanga in the Upper Vaal River Catchment, upstream of the Vaal Dam, one sluice gate remains open to enable water releases. The Dam is currently sitting at 102%.

“The department is implementing these necessary controlled water releases at the dams as part of dam safety precautions to safeguard the infrastructure. DWS is continuously monitoring the water levels in the Vaal River System,” said Mavasa.

He said through various platforms, the department continuously shares hydrology reports and provides regular updates regarding the water levels in the dams, with recommendations in order to provide early warnings in case of flooding.
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A man raped and killed his eight-days old daughter

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Picture: Close-up of unrecognizable cute baby shaking feet while lying in bed, innocence concept/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

7 April 2025- A man (37) was sentenced to two life terms imprisonment by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria for rape and murder. This comes after the accused, Hugo Ferreira from Carletonville, raped and killed his 8-days old daughter, Caithlyn Ferreira.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Ferreira and the child’s mother, who were in a relationship, lived together in Welverdiend, Carletonville. Mahanjana said on 8 June 2023, the mother left home to sell clothes to buy nappies, entrusting the infant to Ferreira’s care.

“Before she departed, Ferreira instructed her to return within five minutes as the baby was breastfeeding. When she failed to return on time and the baby began crying, Ferreira, enraged, assaulted, and raped the newborn.

“He used his fingers to violate her and rubbed his private parts against hers, later claiming he was “giving the baby a reason to cry.” Upon the mother’s return, Ferreira initially hid the injured child and refused to hand her over,” she said.

Mahanjana further said the mother then called the police. She added that, as he was handing the baby over in the presence of the police, her injuries became evident.

“Ferreira was arrested immediately and the infant was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day.  In court, Ferreira pleaded guilty to the charges of rape and murder and said he acted out of anger toward the mother.

“During sentencing, he requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that his guilty plea saved court time and demonstrated remorse,” said Mahanjana.

The state prosecutor, advocate Andre Wilsenach, strongly opposed this and asked for life imprisonment. Wilsenach said Ferreira’s acts were heinous and he committed them against his own defenceless 8-day-old baby to spite the mother for her delay.

“Wilsenach emphasized Ferreira’s role as the biological father, who should have protected his child and not abused his position to harm her. He also highlighted Ferreira’s criminal history, including five previous convictions, one for assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), underscoring his violent tendencies. 

“Therefore, he asked the court not to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence. The NPA welcomes this sentence, which reflects the gravity of a father’s crimes against his child,” she said.

Mahanjana said this case reaffirms their unwavering commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), ensuring that perpetrators face the full weight of justice.

Meanwhile, Judge Portia Phahlane, rejected Ferreira’s plea for leniency and agreed with submissions made by the state. Phahlane ruled that his guilty plea stemmed from overwhelming evidence the state had against him, not genuine remorse, and found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum sentence.

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A man sentenced to life imprisonment for raping another man

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By OBAKENG MAJE

7 April 2025- The accused, Mpho Mokoena (40), was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria Regional Court for the gang rape of a man (35) and an additional three years for kidnapping. The court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently with the life sentence and further declared Mokoena unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Mokoena and the victim are both from Mamelodi East and knew each other. Mahanjana said on 9 December 2014, at approximately 17:30, the victim was walking in Mamelodi when he met Mokoena, who was in a vehicle with his accomplices who remain at large.

“The group asked the victim for directions to a drinking spot and he got into the car. However, instead of heading to the drinking spot, they drove to a cemetery in Silverton. Upon arrival, the perpetrators forcibly removed the victim from the vehicle, held him against it and Mokoena proceeded to rape him causing severe injuries.

“They then abandoned him at the scene. The victim then went to Mamelodi Hospital medical assistance and reported the incident to the police. Following an intensive police investigation, Mokoena was handed over to the police by his mother,” she said.

Mahanjana further said he was later released on bail. She added that the trial commenced in October 2017, and after the victim testified, proceedings were set to resume in February 2018.

“Mokoena, however, absconded, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest. He was eventually re-arrested on 27 June 2023, after being found already serving another sentence in prison.

“During sentencing, Mokoena, through his legal representative, asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. However, the state prosecutor, Anton Burger, urged the court to impose life imprisonment, emphasising the gravity of the crime, the common purpose with his accomplices and that Mokoena showed no remorse for his actions,” said Mahanjana.

She said Burger also argued that the gender of the victim should not influence sentencing as minimum sentence legislation applies equally to all victims regardless of gender. Mahanjana said, additionally, Burger brought to the attention of the court that Mokoena had four prior convictions for theft and one for drug possession,” said Mahanjana.

In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Mncube concurred with the state, highlighting that Mokoena exploited the trust of the victim, who had considered him a friend. Mncube said the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence.

Meanwhile, the NPA said it welcomes the sentence as it underscores the seriousness of the crime and reinforces the justice system’s commitment to protecting society from heinous acts. Mahanjana said the NPA commends the court for ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable for his actions.

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Two men nabbed for raping a minor in Schweizer Reneke

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Picture: ANCWL members pocketing outside court/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 April 2025 – Two men aged 56 and 59, were arrested and appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrate’s Court for rape. The accused were arrested for the alleged rape of a girl (7), on 6 December 2024.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said the accused were remanded in custody upon their appearance in court until 10 April 2025, for bail application. Manyoba said the investigation into the matter continues.

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NWHC CEO, Sello Mogodiri meets with entity’s interim board  

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Picture: NWHC CEO, Sello Mogodiri/Facebook

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 April 2025- The newly appointed North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) interim board, held a meet-and-greet session with management and staff at the NWHC offices in Mahikeng, following their appointment by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi.

The NWHC CEO, Sello Mogodiri said the engagement focused on fostering collaboration and aligning strategic priorities. Mogodiri said the programme included a formal induction session, where Molapisi addressed the board and management.

“He emphasised the need to prioritise Smart and Mega City projects, highlighting the Lokaleng/Mahikeng Student City

project as an urgent priority due to growing public interest and traditional leadership concerns. Molapisi also called for the swift review of the NWHC Act and

urged strong cooperation between the board and executive management.

“The board received a presentation on the entity’s operational performance, finances and governance framework. Key areas discussed included the 2024/25

Quarterly Performance Reports, Strategic and Annual Performance Plans, Audit Outcomes, and the Revenue Enhancement Strategy,” he said.

Mogodiri further said the Chairperson of interim board, Dr Manketsi Tlhape, welcomed the opportunity to serve and committed to strengthening governance, accountability, and the Corporation’s role in delivering sustainable human settlements across the province. He added that they reaffirmed management’s commitment to working closely with the board.

“We will ensure that you receive all the necessary information and that our operations remain transparent. I believe your combined experience will bring valuable insight and wisdom to help us improve service delivery.

“The session concluded with a joint commitment to uphold good governance, transparency, and effective service delivery in line with the developmental goals

of the North West Provincial Government,” said Mogodiri.

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