Picture: The NWPL Speaker, Dr Desbo Mohono and North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
24 February 2026- The North West Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) made up of various government departments and security forces, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), is ready to ensure a safe and secure State of the Province Address (SOPA), which will take place on 26 February 2026.
PROVJOINTS said in order to ensure that the event is incidents free, law enforcement and safety officers will be deployed on all the main roads leading into Mahikeng, as well at the identified key points which include the Mega City, government offices, the North West University, the Courts and the parliament precinct.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said normal daily activities will not be affected by security arrangements, but it is equally important for the public, motorists and pedestrians to take note of the regulated or restricted access into certain roads and thoroughfares around the parliament precinct between 8:30am and 10:00 on 26 February 2026. Myburgh said, however, the police and traffic officers will be on site to re-direct motorists and pedestrians to other alternative roads.
“Civil servants in the complex and neighbouring government buildings will still be allowed to access their offices. The streets / roads that will be affected are Sekame road and Ngaka Modiri Molema Road.
“This includes Sekame road and Dr James Moroka Drive, Sekame Road and First Street, Dr Albert Luthuli Drive and Ngaka Modiri Molema Road and Dr James Moroka Drive and Dr Albert Luthuli Drive,” she said.
Myburgh further said that Dr James Moroka Drive and Stadium Road, including Dr Albert Luthuli Drive and University Drive, Dr James Moroka Drive and Hector Petersen Street will be affected. She added that the PROVJOINTS is making an appeal to members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement officials, who will be manning and working in the area.
“The deployment of law enforcement officials is intended to ensure that normal day to day activities are not unduly affected or obstructed and the cooperation of everyone is important in this regard,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), advocate Lutendo Netshitumbu, invites members of the media for a media briefing on readiness for the official opening of the Legislature and State of the Province Address (SOPA) 2026, that will be held on 26 February 2026, in the Legislature Chamber at 9am.
Netshitumbu said the media briefing session is scheduled to take place at the Legislature Conference Room, First Floor on 25 February 2026, at 2pm. He said the session is compulsory as a briefing on the rules of the chamber and programme that will be outlined for members of the media that will be attending SOPA.
“The media should note that the accreditation cards will be issued on 25 February 2026, from 2pm until 4pm, at the Conference Room, First floor, NWPL. No accreditation will be issued after 4pm. Only those that applied, have been screened and cleared will be accredited.
“Smart ID cards / Green ID books must be produced when collecting accreditation cards. Accreditation cards are not transferable, each individual must collect in person – no one will be allowed to collect for / on behalf of others. No accreditation will be issued on 26 February 2026, the day of SOPA,” said Netshitumbu.
He said all invited members of the media are advised to be seated by 9h45am, as the Legislature Precinct will be closed and no one will be allowed in the precinct after 10am.
The Guardian 