Daily Archives: September 18, 2025

Jewels of Heritage should empower locals 

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Picture: The ANC MPL in North West Provincial Legislature, Pricilla Williams/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

18 September 2025- Magaliesberg Biosphere and the Moruleng Cultural Precinct are jewels of heritage that should empower locals, African National Congress (ANC) Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West Provincial Legislature, Priscilla Williams emphasised in her Heritage Month debate speech delivered on Tuesday. The North West Provincial Legislature held a debate on Heritage Month 2025 under the theme: ‘Reimagine Our Heritage Institutions for a New Era’ during its last sitting to conclude the 2nd Quarter legislature programme before adjourning for a two weeks recess that starts on the 22 September 2025.

Williams mentioned that the theme for this year has been chosen to mark an important milestone in the country’s achievements and to mark a turning point, highlighting that South Africa’s heritage economy must belong to all.

“True heritage means that a young entrepreneur in Moruleng, a craftswoman in Rustenburg, and a tour guide in Hartbeespoort all share in the dignity and wealth created. All our people have stories to tell. We are determined to give an opportunity to make a distinction between history and heritage and, at the same time, reconcile with heroic figures as they shape a new identity. 

“The sites must not only honour cultural diversity but also the sacrifices of workers who’s sweat and unity across colour lines helped shape the provincial economy. This year’s theme challenges us to reposition museums, archives and sites as active contributors to identity, social change and development,” she said. 

Williams further said this is not rhetoric — it is policy direction for the year: reimagining heritage as a catalyst for a dynamic, socially responsive, technologically innovative and economically inclusive future. She added that there is a need for establishment of community-anchored hubs, libraries, archives, maker-spaces as well as small galleries to be located at or near transport nodes and equipped with Wi-Fi, digitisation labs and multimedia studios led by youth interns.

“We call for government procurement to be biased towards women crafters and bappegi who make dihele, xibelani, mbhaco and Setswana crafts as well as incubation of Cooperatives including formalised routes that link cultural villages, memorials and farms to township tourism in order to boost local value chains.

“We welcome the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation’s efforts towards digitising to monetise, 3D scanning of artefacts, recording of oral histories to preserve our rich cultural heritage, licensing of content to schools, broadcasters and platforms as well as training of creators in Intellectual Property, e-commerce and touring circuits,” said Williams. 

She said as the Freedom Charter continues to be the lodestar that inspires them, they recommit that the people shall share in the wealth of history and the wealth that heritage can create. Williams said from memory to momentum — that is how they reimagine for a new era to accelerate service delivery, deepen transformation and advance their people’s interest. 

“The ANC conference resolutions on Arts, Culture & Heritage instruct us to integrate heritage with economic transformation, social cohesion, and the creative industries — using technology, public-private partnerships, and community participation,” she concluded. 

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Thuntsha Lerole Programme hits Matlosana

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Picture: The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi

By REGINALD KANYANE

18 September 2025- The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) will on 19 September 2025 intensify its service delivery efforts in the City of Matlosana, where the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, will lead the handing over of several completed projects, joined by Members of Executive Council (MECs) and executive mayors.

Mokgosi spokesperson Sello Tatai said among these projects will be the handing over of newly constructed classrooms and a cleared VU fence at Ithuseng Primary School, the additional classrooms and an administrative block at Are-Bokeng Primary School, while five classrooms and an administrative block will be officially handed over at Atamela Primary School. Tatai said these three schools are all in Kanana Township, near Orkney.

“To bolster mobile healthcare services, two TB Mobile Vehicles, generously donated by the Global Fund, will be officially handed over to support and expand access to health services in the City of Matlosana.  

“Moreover, the paving of taxi routes and stormwater drainage improvements projects will be handed over in Khuma Township, near Stilfontein,” he said.

Tatai further said to encourage increased food production among localities, 11 goats (10 Does and 1 Buck) and 30 garden equipment and related packages will be handed over to identified beneficiaries. He added that environmental maintenance efforts will be heightened, with cemetery cleaning operations and the clearing of illegal dumping sites next to Tower Mall and at the corner of Tilo and Boikhutsong.

“Potholes patching and road markings will be carried out at targeted streets across the local municipality. Furthermore, the Centralised Supplier Database (CSD) team will be present on-site to assist local businesses with company registration, updates, and amendments on the system.

“In a bid to strengthen government’s ability to accelerate service delivery across the province, the Thuntsha Lerole programme will be carried out at other district municipalities such in Longaneng Community Hall in Madibogo village in Ngaka Modiri Molema District,” said Tatai.

He said the programme will take place at Mmadinonyane Community Hall in Mmadinonyane village in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

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The emotional welfare of SA teachers

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Picture: The Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the North West University (NWU), Dr Marelize Vergottini/Supplied 

By AGISANANG SCUFF

18 September 2025- At a time when teachers are often regarded as the unsung heroes of society, growing attention is being paid to the emotional burden they carry on a daily basis. The question is no longer whether teachers are under pressure, but rather how long they can withstand it without severe consequences for their own well-being and for the future of South Africa’s children.

The Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the North West University (NWU), Dr Marelize Vergottini cautioned that the emotional well-being of the teachers is in a state of crisis – one that can no longer be ignored. Vergottini said teaching has always been a challenging profession – a “calling”, as the saying goes – but in South Africa, it is currently taking an emotional toll on teachers that cannot be ignored.

“Teachers are the backbone of the education system, and play one of the most important roles in the future of our children, but they are expected to work in unbearable conditions.

“Their emotional welfare causes concern and many teachers leave the profession, which has far-reaching consequences. Let us be honest now: the conditions are extremely difficult – not just for the teachers themselves, but also for learners and the bigger education system,” she said.

Vergottini further said one of the most urgent challenges is workload. She added that teachers have been responsible for more than just teaching for a long time.

“They have to deal with an overflowing list of tasks: lesson planning, assessments, moderating, extramural activities, disciplinary interventions, parent meetings, committees and other administrative duties.

“The emphasis of the Department of Basic Education on accountability and performance measurement has unwittingly increased the pressure on teachers. Many teachers spend hours after school on paperwork and other tasks that leave them emotionally drained, with little time to rest and take care of family responsibilities,” said Vergottini.

She said inclusive education, although it is an essential and idealistic policy, adds another layer of complexity. Vergottini said classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse, with learners having a wide range of learning needs and barriers to learning – including physical disabilities, learning problems and psychosocial, emotional or behavioral challenges.

“Although the intention behind inclusive education is good, many teachers are not adequately trained and receive little support to meet these divergent needs. The lack of appropriate resources, specialist support and manageable class sizes leads to feelings of helplessness and frustration.

“Discipline is a major problem, with the rights of learners being totally overemphasised and little responsibility accompanying these rights,” she said.

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Greater Taung Local Municipality ordered to pay whistleblower, Thuso Bloem

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Picture: The whistleblower, Thuso Bloem

By OBAKENG MAJE

18 September 2025- The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) was ordered to pay its employee, Thuso Bloem, close to R3 million and reinstate him. This comes after the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria, dismissed the municipality’s attempt to take the Public Protector’s decision on review.

The municipality’s core issue was to determine whether the Public Protector had jurisdiction to consider Bloem’s complaint and whether the remedial action was a lawful attempt to take this case on review.

In 2011, Bloem reported the misuse of public funds, irregular tender awards, and other issues to the municipal council. He was subsequently dismissed, but submitted a complaint of victimisation on account of his whistleblowing to the Public Protector of South Africa.

The Public Protector’s 2018 report found the municipality violated Section 3 of the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA), South Africa’s primary legislation protecting whistleblowers. The Public Protector therefore ordered the whistleblower’s reinstatement, the issuing of backpay, and other relief measures.

However, the municipality applied for the report to be taken on review, but with Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa’ support, Bloem opposed this application.

PPLAAF’s Southern Africa Director, Roshnee Narrandes said Bloem was dismissed by the municipality and left in limbo for over a decade after uncovering alleged maladministration and corruption under the then acting Municipal Manager, Mpho Mofokeng. Narrandes said at the beginning of August, the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria, ruled in favour of Bloem, reaffirming the Public Protector’s remit to order remedial action for whistleblowers.

“This ruling buttresses whistleblowers in South Africa, affirming their rights to protection. Municipalities, the coal-face of service delivery, form the majority of government departments in South Africa that have qualified audits.

“Extending protection beyond the labour process is necessary for a culture of accountability in a country that so desperately needs it,” she said.

Narrandes further said Bloem joined the municipality in 2003, working his way up to senior administrative clerk whilst simultaneously occupying the role of shop steward for the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU). She added that in 2011, on the same day as his complaint, Bloem was served a notice of suspension, purportedly on charges of misconduct.

“Following this, Bloem was unfairly charged and subsequently dismissed in 2012. He challenged his dismissal on the basis that it was an unlawful breach of contract, filing an application at the Labour Court which was dismissed for falling outside of the Court’s purview.

“The whistleblower approached the Public Protector to file a complaint of occupational detriment against the municipality as a result of having made a protected disclosure,” said Narrandes.

She said her investigation into Bloem’s allegations of misconduct and victimisation not only vindicated his concerns, but also confirmed that he had indeed suffered financial and emotional prejudice as a result of his whistleblowing. Narrandes said this detriment amounts to a contravention of Section 3 of the PDA, allowing for remedies as outlined in Section 4 to be put in place.

Meanwhile, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said they will take the matter on review again.

“The municipality is aware of the judgement. The municipality is unable to respond to the questions as the matter is sub judice as certain aspects of the judgement are being challenged,” he said.

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Former policeman jailed for corruption 

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Picture: A policeman jailed for corruption/Generic 

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

18 September 2025- In a relentless effort to pursue law breakers irrespective of their current circumstances, Springbok Regional Court imposed another six years imprisonment on Kelvin James Brown (46) on Wednesday. Brown, a former South African Police Services employee and held the rank of a Sergeant, pleaded guilty to five counts of corruption committed while he was still in the service.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said undeniable evidence against Brown included accepting gratification of R3000 from an undercover police agent, and linking the agent with drug dealers where illegal drugs transactions took place. Thebe said he further provided police escort for safe transportation of illegal drugs using state vehicles.

“The convict is currently serving life imprisonment for another matter, the court directed that his six years conviction should run concurrently with the life imprisonment. 

“He was declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.

 Meanwhile, the acting Provincial Head of the Hawks, Brigadier De Witt Botha welcomed the conviction and said: “Corruption in the police will be pursued till the end. Congratulations to both the investigation and prosecuting team for their hard work.”

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Majodina to hand over WHIS Award  

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Picture: Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina

By REGINALD KANYANE 

18 September 2025- As part of Heritage Month commemoration, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, will hand over the World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS) Award to the Orange-Vaal Water Users Association, and the newly refurbished Douglas Water Treatment Works (WTW) to Siyancuma Local Municipality, in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Northern Cape on Thursday.  

Majodina spokesperson, Cornelius Monama said the WHIS award is a prestigious designation given to historic irrigation structures by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), and it recognises the cultural, historical, and technological significance of these structures.  Monama said the Douglas Weir, a 134-year-old engineering marvel that pioneered irrigation-led rural development in the Northern Cape was recognised as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure by the ICID.  

“It was nominated by the South African National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (SANCID), and the award was accepted on behalf of the committee by ICID Vice-President and SANCID Chair, Prof Sylvester Mpandeli last September at the 9th Asian Regional Conference of ICID in Sydney, Australia.

“Since then, the weir, located at the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers in Douglas and regarded as the world’s oldest, has been included in the ICID Register of World Heritage Structures,” he said.

Monama further said a weir is a barrier across the width of a body of water that alters the flow characteristics of water and usually results in a change in the height of the water level. He added that weirs are used to control the flow of water for rivers and other water resource structures.

“This is the first time that a South African irrigation structure has received the award since the inception of the WHIS recognition category in 2012. The award will be officially handed to the Orange-Vaal Water Users Association responsible for managing the infrastructure.

“Majodina will thereafter hand over a refurbished Douglas Water Treatment Works also located near the confluence of Vaal and Orange River, which serves as raw water abstraction supply points for water purification and supply to the town and surroundings,” said Monama.  

He said the existing purification plant was not operating efficiently as it had exceeded its 30-year design life cycle, and it therefore needed an urgent refurbishment. Monama said the R28 million revitalisation project scope entailed the refurbishment of the water purification plant, the general rehabilitation work of the plant and the installation of a 200KVA emergency generator. 

“The plant will filter a total capacity of 4 273 cubic metres per day of purified water to the population of 22 180 persons residing in 4 704 households within the area of Douglas.

“Following the handover of the WHIS Award and the WTW, the Minister will have a community engagement with the local residents, and later conduct an oversight visit at Douglas Weir,” he said. 

Monama said Majodina will be joined by the Chairperson of Water Research Commission (WRC), Dr Rethabile Melamu as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Orange-Vaal Water Users Association, Mr Peter Joseph.

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A man jailed for raping mentaly ill woman 

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

18 September 2025- A man (66) was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for rape. This comes after the accused raped a mentally challenged woman. The case stems from an incident that occurred on 8 October 2023, at approximately 11am, when the victim was on her way to church in Kagung village, near Mothibistad in Kuruman.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the accused, who is a neighbour of the victim, offered her a lift. Shemane said instead of taking her directly to church, he drove to a dumping site, where he forcefully raped her.

“After the assault, he gave her R30 and instructed her not to tell anyone. When the victim returned home, her mother noticed that she had money and questioned her about it.

“Then the victim disclosed the ordeal to her mother, who immediately reported the matter to the police. A case was registered and the accused was subsequently arrested,” he said.

Shemane further said the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be entered into the National Sexual Offences Register. He added that the South African Police Service Management in the Northern Cape welcomed the judgment.

Meanwhile, the acting John Taolo Gaotswe District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, praised the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Jamine Melissa Armstrong of the Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, for her meticulous investigative work which secured the conviction. Baloyi further commended the outcome as a strong demonstration that justice has been served on behalf of the victim and that dangerous offenders are being removed from society for lengthy periods.

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Municipal Manager’s qualifications under scrutiny  

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Picture: Embattled Municipal Manager of Naledi Local Municipality, Modisenyane Segapo 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

18 September 2025- The embattled Naledi Local Municipality said it will not respond to any questions regarding the ‘irregular’ appointment of its Municipal Manager, Modisenyane Segapo, including his ‘questionable’ qualifications until the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) complete its investigations on the matter. The committee allegedly raised a red flag against Segapo’s qualifications during its recent visit to the North West. 

This comes after allegations on whether Segapo completed his B. Iuris undergraduate degree or not. 

In 2023, the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng, rendered the appointment of Segapo as the Municipal Manager as invalid and unlawful. The aggrieved employees and councillors at the municipality, Thabo Appolus, Lerato Setlhake, Lebogang Jacobs and Vuyiswa Morakile, launched an application on an urgent basis challenging the appointment of Segapo.

Judge FMM Reid said the report they received from the MEC did not support the appointment of Segapo as Municipal Manager. Reid said the report of the MEC dated 26 April 2023 and titled: “Report on the process of appointing the Municipal Manager at Naledi Local Municipality.”

“The finding of MEC is that the appointment of Segapo as Municipal Manager is not supported because MEC found the procedural and substantive requirements in relation to the appointment of municipal senior managers, submitted as per Regulation 17 (4) not to have been complied with.

“Amongst others, the following issues of non-compliance were highlighted in the MEC’s report. Interviews were conducted 44 days after the screening process, which is 23 days more than the period that is allowed in terms of Regulation 15(1),” he said.

However, the municipality has since challenged the matter at the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) and is believed to have already spent over R20 million on the legal battle.  

The Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Clifton Groep said: “We have received your questions regarding the appointment and qualifications of the Municipal Manager, Modisenyane Segapo. However, the matter is still under investigation by the Portfolio Committee as declared on 3 September 2025, by the Chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize. 

“Therefore, there is not much that can be said until the investigation is completed and after all the proof is submitted before the committee. If you are still interested post the completion of the investigation, then you are welcome to send a reminder regarding the matter and all questions will be addressed with all supporting documents.”

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi did not want to be drawn into the matter regarding Segapo’s appointment and qualifications. Molapisi said the matter is subjected to court processes and the department will only render a comment once the matter is finalised. 

“As part of professionalising the local government sphere, the recruitment of qualified and competent individuals who are fit for purpose is non-negotiable. Municipalities must, for all positions, appoint qualified and competent individuals who will contribute to the proper functioning of municipalities.  

“On a regular basis, the department receives reports from municipalities as they pursue concurrence on the appointment of senior managers as per the provisions of section 54A(8) and 56(6) of the Municipal Systems Act, (Act No. 32 of 2000) as amended,” he said. 

Molapisi further said if the department picks-up non-compliance through the purview of Regulations on Appointment and Conditions of Appointment of Senior Managers – 2014, it will not support the appointment and this will be communicated to the municipality to correct. He added that the municipality has a chance to engage the department to rectify the matter or MEC can approach the court for declaratory order to nullify the appointment.

“The department is also capacitating councillors and municipal officials on the Local Government: Regulations on appointment and conditions of appointment of senior managers – 2014,” said Molapisi.

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Committee welcomes plans to identify ghost workers

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

18 September 2025- The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration said it welcomes the development of plans and processes to identify ghost workers in the public sector, but insisted that this must be followed by prosecution where wrongdoing is established. The committee received a briefing from National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) on efforts underway to eliminate ghost workers in the public sector. 

The Chairperson of the Committee, Jan de Villiers said the Office of the Auditor-General (AG) also briefed the committee on overpayment of salaries to ghost employees in the Mpumalanga Department of Education. De Villiers further said the National Treasury informed the committee that it has launched a data-driven audit of ghost employees and payment irregularities across national and provincial departments, where salaries account for more than 60% of expenditure. 

“Using the PERSAL payroll system as a base, Treasury is cross-checking data with SARS, Home Affairs and other institutions to identify ghost employees, duplicate IDs, multiple salaries and unauthorised allowances.

“Members heard that preliminary anomalies have been flagged, but verification is ongoing. The process will include a two-month window for employees to confirm their status. Salaries of confirmed ghost employees will be frozen, funds recovered and criminal or disciplinary action pursued,” said de Villiers.

He added that the committee noted the cooperation among the DPSA, National Treasury, the Auditor-General, SARS and other stakeholders. De Villiers said, however, it emphasised that cooperation and planning alone are insufficient. 

“There is the need for regular engagements to present clear outcomes and progress. We will assess progress not based on strategies but on outcomes. Our future engagements must provide evidence of results, including the number of ghost employees identified and removed, the monies recovered and the number of prosecutions.

“The committee also urged the department and Treasury to work closely with anti-corruption agencies such as the Special Investigating Unit, the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority and other relevant agencies to ensure that investigations culminate in prosecutions and successful convictions,” he said.

De Villiers said the committee also emphasised the need to modernise identity systems and expressed its support for efforts by the Department of Home Affairs to develop digital identity systems. He said the committee believes this will go a long way to help address vulnerabilities and strengthen controls.

“Another concern was over the possibility that ghost employees may be receiving pension contributions from the Government Employees Pension Fund. This possibility, while alarming, may provide an opportunity to strengthen detection systems by also auditing the fund’s records and database. 

“The committee also noted the AG’s presentation showing that the provincial education department of Mpumalanga disclosed R28.3 million in salary overpayments made to employees after their services were terminated due to death, resignation, retirement or dismissal,” said de Villiers. 

He said the members were stern in their rebuke of accounting officers, who preside over such losses without consequence and questioned how such conduct is not deemed criminal. De Villiers said the committee acknowledged the frustration felt by South Africans regarding corruption in the public service. 

“I would like to describe this sentiment as “corruption fatigue”, as the public is growing weary of hearing about corruption without seeing any consequences. 

“The South African public has the right to see concrete outcomes such as ghost employees removed from the system, perpetrators prosecuted and jailed and public money safeguarded for service delivery,” he said. 

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