Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie visiting Treatment Centre/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
12 May 2026 – The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie along with the Departmental Head, Peggy Mhlongo-Kgaboesele on Monday conducted a fact-finding mission dubbed Re Thuse Re Go Thuse oversight to establish the facts that led some staff to put down tools at JB Marks treatment centre in Potchefstroom. The state-run facility was opened in 2020 to offer free drug treatment to service users which includes detoxification and administration inpatient treatment services.
Dantjie said since its establishment, the facility has provided much needed rehabilitation services to users across the province. She further said for a week, some disillusioned staff members suspended their services due to unresolved challenges ranging from shortage of staff to capacity building.
“During my day-long oversight visit to a 40-bed capacity facility, I convened a meeting with the management of the facility, officials from head office and the consent staff to get first-hand information before intervention.
“I have directed the Institution Manager, the District, Programme Managers, Infrastructure Unit and Supply Chain Management to develop a programme of action with timelines within seven days to address staff concerns with a view to stabilise the facility,” she added.
Dantjie said many people in the province still require rehabilitation services of this centre. She said with substance abuse being on the rise among young people and adults alike, they emphasised that officials should find common ground to render rehabilitation services at a brisker pace at JB Marks treatment centre.
Picture: Situation at Khunotswane village from aerial view/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
12 May 2026 – The Democratic Alliance in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality expresses serious concern over the continued flooding crisis in Khunotswane village, despite earlier warnings, oversight visits, and provincial escalation by the DA. In May 2025, the DA conducted oversight inspections in the affected area and raised concerns regarding inadequate stormwater infrastructure, blocked drainage flow and the impact of flooding on residents, schools and healthcare facilities.
DA Constituency Head in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, Cornél Dreyer said these concerns were further escalated to the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs. Dreyer said at the time, residents already warned that the interventions implemented by the municipality were inadequate and momentary.
“Today, those concerns have proven correct. The flooding has returned, once again affecting homes, roads, schools, and clinics in Khunotswane. Learners continue to face disruptions to their education, while patients and vulnerable residents struggle to access healthcare services safely.
“It is deeply concerning that drainage channels previously opened now appear to have been closed again, while uncertainty remains over whether proper stormwater pipes were ever installed,” he said.
Dreyer further said this raises serious questions about the effectiveness, quality and sustainability of the municipality’s interventions. He added that residents are once again exposed to contaminated stagnant water, increased health risks, and deteriorating living conditions.
“This is unacceptable. The municipality has a legal and constitutional obligation to ensure proper stormwater management, disaster relief, and the maintenance of essential services during emergencies. Communities cannot continue to suffer because of poor planning, delayed responses, and short-term measures that fail to address the root causes of the flooding.
“The DA therefore calls for urgent intervention, including immediate inspection and public confirmation regarding the installation and condition of stormwater pipes. Proper reconstruction and reopening of drainage channels and culverts to restore natural water flow,” said Dreyer.
He said the deployment of the municipal yellow fleet to assist with clean-up operations and repairs to damaged infrastructure. Dreyer said provision of safe drinking water and urgent public health interventions to prevent waterborne diseases. Dreyer said they call for restoration of safe access routes to schools and clinics.
“Deployment of temporary support measures where necessary, including mobile healthcare and temporary learning facilities. The people of Khunotswane deserve sustainable infrastructure solutions and decisive leadership, and not repeated promises followed by recurring disasters,” he said.
12 May 2026 – The defiant Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said in that judgment, the Constitutional Court found that certain aspects of the National Assembly rules that govern the process for the removal of the President from office are inconsistent with the Constitution. Ramaphosa said the judgment has given rise to much commentary, debate and speculation.
He further said there has been much concern and uncertainty in the country over the last few days following the delivery of the Constitutional Court Judgement. Ramphosa said when he assumed the office of President of the Republic of South Africa, he said that it was a responsibility that he would discharge with the greatest of care.
“I said that it was a responsibility that I would undertake mindful of the needs, aspirations and expectations of the people of this land. I pledged that I would serve you, the people of South Africa.
“I said that I would work with you, side by side, to build the South Africa that we all want and deserve. It is these undertakings that compel me to address you this evening. There have been calls from certain quarters calling on me to resign. At the same time, there have also been calls for me not to resign,” he said.
Ramphosa said the matter before the Constitutional Court arose from the report of an independent panel that was appointed by the National Assembly in September 2022 in terms of Section 89 of the Constitution to conduct a preliminary inquiry into certain allegations that had been made against him. He said these allegations related to a theft that took place at my farm in February 2020.
“The independent panel concluded that the information that was presented to it disclosed, prima facie, that the President may have committed serious misconduct and a serious violation of the Constitution.
“The Panel concluded that I, as the President, may have acted in a way that was inconsistent with my office and may have exposed myself to a situation involving a conflict between my official responsibilities and my private business,” said Ramaphosa.
He said on 13 December 2022, in accordance with its rules, the National Assembly voted not to refer the independent panel’s report to an impeachment committee that would consider the veracity and, where required, the seriousness of the charges contained in the motion. Ramphosa said the Constitutional Court has now ruled, on the basis of the flaw it found in the National Assembly rules, that the vote the National Assembly exercised on this matter in 2022 should be set aside.
“The Court has accordingly ordered that the report of the independent panel be referred to the Impeachment Committee of the National Assembly. In the judgment, the Constitutional Court declares that where the Panel recommends that a Section 89 inquiry be proceeded with, it must be implemented through a referral to an Impeachment Committee, “unless and until the Report is set aside on review”.
“I accept and respect the Constitutional Court’s ruling. I reiterate my firm commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law,” he said.
Ramphosa said since the judgment was handed down, he had reflected on what the judgment means for the country, for the rule of law and for the office that he occupies. He said he is mindful of the severe difficulties that the country is confronted with today.
“I am mindful of the need for stability at this time more than any other. At times of such uncertainty and contestation, our Constitution remains our guide. The drafters of the Constitution provided a clear, carefully considered process to deal with allegations of serious misconduct and a serious violation of the Constitution against a President.
“They foresaw that it would be necessary to provide recourse in the event that these allegations could be established, while at the same time protecting against spurious or malicious agendas,” said Ramphosa.
He said since a criminal complaint was laid against him in June 2022, he has consistently maintained that he has not stolen public money, committed any crime nor violated his oath of office. Ramphosa said from the beginning, he said that he would cooperate with all institutions that are mandated to deal with these types of matters.
“I have indeed cooperated with all investigations and enquiries into the matter. And I will continue to cooperate with all institutions that are mandated to deal with these matters.
“When the independent panel submitted its report in December 2022, I said that I disagreed with its findings and the process of reasoning that led to those findings. In my submission to the panel, I said the complaints against me are based on hearsay allegations,” he said.
Ramphosa said there was no evidence, let alone sufficient evidence, to prove that he committed any violation, let alone a serious violation of the Constitution or law, or serious misconduct as set out in the Constitution. He said as a consequence, he decided then to approach the courts to take the report of the independent panel on review.
The Guardian 