Daily Archives: December 26, 2025

Lenkopane to probe mismanagement and misappropriation of funds at NWPTB   

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By AGISANANG SCUFF  

26 December 2025- The North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said they welcome the settlement of long outstanding third-party obligations affecting employees of the Golden Leopard Resorts (Soc) Ltd (GLR) and Madikwe, following decisive steps by the department and the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB). Lenkopane said for more than three years, pension contributions were deducted from salaries but never paid over to the pension fund administrators.

She further said this failure left employees without retirement security and in tragic cases, families of deceased staff unable to access benefits. Lenkopane added that previous allocations from the department to address the arrears were never implemented, deepening the hardship.

“In the latest adjustment, DEDECT allocated R42.5 million to resolve these issues, R12.5 million for pension fund arrears, R26 million to settle SARS obligations including VAT and payroll taxes and R4 million for overdue salary increases covering 19 months from April 2024 to October 2025.

“Payments have now been made in full, bringing pension contributions up to date for all staff members affected.

This settlement benefits more than 300 employees of GLR and Madikwe,” she said.

Lenkopane commended the current leadership of the departmental accounting office and the entity for taking decisive action to resolve the matter, describing it as a significant relief and a worthy Christmas gift to affected employees and their families. She said the resolution of this matter demonstrates that the 7th administration continues to place the interests of the people at the centre of its work and remains committed to addressing historical challenges, restoring confidence in public entities and ensuring accountability and sound financial management.

“In addition to the settlement, we have an intensified investigation into the matter, aimed at holding those responsible accountable. The probe will cover the period when GLR was still a subsidiary of the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) and criminal charges will be pursued against individuals implicated in depriving employees and families of their rightful benefits.

“DEDECT and its entities have also strengthened governance and accountability measures to ensure such failures never recur. Enhanced monitoring of salary deductions and third-party payments is now embedded in GLR’s turnaround strategy, which has been endorsed by the provincial executive council,” said Lenkopane.

She said this correction is a promise kept—and a trust restored. Lenkopane said their work does not stop here.

“We remain committed to sustainable, ethical, and people-centred operations across all DEDECT entities,” she said.

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Picture: The North West MEC DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane

A move to unblock delays at Brits Water Treatment Works upgrade

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Picture: The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, together with Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong

By BAKANG MOKOTO

26 December 2025- The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, together with Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, conducted an oversight visit on 22 December 2025, to the Brits Water Treatment Works in Madibeng, North West, to confront prolonged delays in the upgrade of the critical bulk water infrastructure and demand urgent corrective action.

The Deputy Ministers were frank and unequivocal in their engagement with officials, stressing that the Madibeng Local Municipality and Magalies Water must move with urgency to complete the project. They warned that continued delays will not be tolerated and that consequence management will be enforced should timelines continue to slip.

Mahlobo issued a clear directive that the municipality should urgently develop and submit an efficiency improvement plan, which must not only fast-track the completion of the upgrade, but also address the long-term operation, maintenance and upkeep of the Plant to prevent future system failures.

“This project cannot remain in a perpetual state of completion. We want a clear efficiency improvement plan that accelerates delivery and ensures proper maintenance of the plant once completed. Communities cannot continue to suffer because of weak planning and poor execution. If delays persist, officials will be held accountable.

“The Brits Water Treatment Works is a strategic bulk water supply project funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and implemented by the Magalies Water Board,” he said.

Mahlobo further said the project is key to the government’s broader efforts to support Water Services Authorities in meeting their constitutional obligation to provide safe, reliable and dignified water services. He added that, once fully operational, the upgraded Plant will increase its treatment capacity from 60 to 80 megalitres per day, strengthening raw water treatment, pumping and pipeline systems and improving distribution to bulk reservoirs.

Morolong said more than 75 000 households in areas including Letlhabile, Mathotlung, Oukasie, Oskraal, Sonop, Brits CBD, Elansrand and surrounding industrial zones stand to benefit. He emphasised that from the Presidency’s perspective, the timely completion of infrastructure projects is central to restoring public trust and ensuring that government commitments translate into real improvements in people’s lives.

“From the Presidency’s point of view, the completion of projects is non-negotiable.

Delays undermine service delivery outcomes and erode public confidence in government.

“Infrastructure must move from plans and budgets to functioning assets that improve the daily lives of communities,” said Morolong.

He expressed concern that despite the completion of phases one and two of the project in 2020, which included refurbishment of the water treatment works, upgrading of the raw water pump station, and mechanical and electrical works, the project remains unfinished after multiple delays over an extended period. Morolong called for firm milestones and strict monitoring to fast-track the outstanding phases, including the expansion of plant capacity and the upgrading of final water and distribution pipelines to command reservoirs.

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Bafana fully focused on Egypt challenge

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

26 December 2025- Bafana Bafana was hard at work on Christmas Day and preparing for Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B match against Egypt. Coach Hugo Broos said the South African senior men’s national team is looking forward to facing Egypt at the Grand Stade D’Agadir after beating Angola 2-1 in their opening match of the continental tournament in Marrakech this week.

“We all know what kind of team Egypt is and they are a very good team. They are seven-time AFCON winners and record holders, so that means something. They also have some amazing players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

“So, we know them well but on the other hand, we are confident. Again, we’re looking forward to playing that game today,” said Broos.

Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster, who scored the winning goal and was also voted Man of the Match in the game against Angola, said the team is in high spirits following that first outing of the tournament.

“Merry Christmas to everyone. Yeah, the morale in the camp is good. I think, as the coach said, the first game was very important and for us to get maximum points.

“I think that helped a lot going into the rest of the tournament. So yeah, the morale in camp is good. It has always been good, the spirit is high, and we are confident and ready for the next game,” said Foster.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana arrived in Agadir on Wednesday.

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Picture: Bafana Bafana against Angola