Picture: The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on COGTA, Dr Zweli Mkhize
By REGINALD KANYANE
19 May 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) said it has welcomed the launch of the seminal Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government, hailing it as an important step towards more accountable and efficient local governments, resulting in better service delivery.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Dr Zweli Mkhize and several committee members attended the launch event in Johannesburg on Monday. Mkhize said the review was launched under the theme: “Every municipality must work – A call to collective action”.
“The review is long overdue, as a lot has changed in local government since the first White Paper, with many municipalities struggling and dysfunctional.
“The vision for local government as an important lever in addressing historical injustices and improving people’s lives has not aligned with the lived realities in communities over the years,” he said.
Mkhize further said the review provides an important pause to reinvigorate and chart a new trajectory of growth, development and efficiency for the municipalities. He added that they have invited all stakeholders to make their voices heard in the planned consultations that will follow, as the review is set to address service delivery challenges in municipalities and the funding model for local government, among other things.
“The committee is looking forward to interacting with the review process of the White Paper on Local Government. The review is expected to be finalised by March 2025,” said Mkhize.
19 May 2025- The consultative engagement between the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management regarding the GD Montshioa International Airport saga has opened a ‘can of worms’.
Last week, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng made a startling discovery that there are individuals who are ‘illegally’ utilising the aviation facility at the airport. The Guardian newspaper understands that 11 individuals who allegedly occupied the airport were verified.
The department allegedly found one British national, one Ghanaian national, eight Nigerian nationals and three South Africans at the airport.
Now, the Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee, Freddy Sonakile, who had an engagement with the department said, there are more questions than answers. Sonakile said they have resolved to have a follow-up meeting with the department on 3 June 2025.
“We will summon the implicated aviation companies, including the South African Police Services (SAPS) because I also believe they have a case to answer in terms of intelligence.
“The department’s report indicates that the verification process took place only after the MEC went there. So, most definitely, we have to call SAPS,” he said.
Sonakile further said, he is more confused than ever.
“Most definitely, the consequence management will take place because we cannot have a situation like this and behave like it is normal. So, heads must roll. Someone must account and if there were payments, they were paid to whom?
“The department must bring a comprehensive report that is crystal clear. We have also told the department to go and implement consequence management on its part,” he said.
Sonakile added that they will determine what will happen next after they have received a detailed report.
The EFF Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Fanon Moema said they have prodded into many issues that are taking place at the airport and they are not happy with the department’s response. Moema said there is an aviation activity taking place there, but the department was unable to collect revenue because the company that had a contract with them is allegedly collecting rental money on behalf of the department, even though their lease with the department has long been terminated.
“So, a lot of revenue that was supposed to be utilised for other services was lost in between. We strongly feel that the department has failed, yet the province is faced with a backlash in terms of revenue collection, high rate of unemployment and poor service delivery.
“The department could also not give back in terms of corporate social investment in what it has done directly, except saying it will give us answers in writing,” he said.
Moema said if these individuals are not identified, that means they can utilise the national key points such as airports to process drugs and other criminal activities.
Umkhonto Wesizwe Party Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Lerato Tsholo shared the same sentiments. Tsholo said she is totally disappointed regarding the response they received from the department.
“The department’s response lacks accountability and responsibility in its entirety. You cannot have issues that have taken place since 2014, and no one is there to account.
“There is something sinister happening at the airport and who knows that there were drugs being peddled at this airport in the name of an aviation school?,” she asked.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said: “The African Union Aviation Academy does not have students at the moment. Another aviation school operating at the former air force base is called Paramount Aviation and is owned by Kaela Seoe-Okafor, who is a South African and her husband who is a Nigerian national.
“Similarly they had a contract with the management company that had an agreement with the department. The department’s contract with the management company has ended and after their departure the two schools continued to operate without any agreement with the Department.”
16 May 2025- The Standing Committee on Legislative Review and Implementation of House Resolutions held an oversight meeting over a petition submitted by Molefe David Mooketsi on behalf of the petitioners from Bahurutshe Boo Mokgatlha. The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi together with North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi together with the departmental officials were present at the meeting where the petition was submitted by Mooketsi on behalf of the community of Koffiekraan in Moses Kotane Local Municipality in Bojanala District.
Mooketsi said the Bahurutshe Boo Mokgatlha from Mokgatlha (Koffikraal village) raised concerns regarding tribal disputes on traditional leadership dating back from 1993 to date. Mooketsi informed the Standing Committee that there has been a concern about the current leadership’s legal standing and how it was elected without a tribal council.
“We request the legislature to intervene in ensuring that the rightful leadership be appointed as we do not recognise the current Kgosi. We’ve had multiple commissions on the matter through the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Office of the Premier which deals with traditional leadership disputes but the matter has not been resolved.
“There are rumours that there are unsigned close-out reports on the matter but we have not received any formal feedback from the provincial government. We do not have a properly constituted royal family and tribal council where the community is also represented as per prescripts of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act and which receives the relevant community support,” he said.
Mooketsi further said they will give the committee all support with all the out structures in place. He added that they welcome Mokgosi’s plan to establish the dispute committee.
Mokgosi said the provincial government will establish a dispute committee where the matter will be investigated. He said they commit as the government that they will establish the committee within the next two weeks with relevant terms of references, where it will work with all the relevant stakeholders to explore and investigate this matter as part of Section 59 of the Traditional and Khoisan Leadership Act.
“The committee will be given three months to conduct its work and make proper recommendations. We promise as the provincial government that we will prioritise this matter and give it urgency,” said Mokgosi.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee, Tebogo Modise also welcomed the suggestions of the provincial government.
“We hope that this matter can be resolved in the near future and are happy that there is commitment from the head of the provincial government,” said Modise.
16 May 2025- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it welcomes the sentence of life imprisonment for rape handed down by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court to a Zimbabwean national, Mulero Nyangero (32), from Pretoria West. Nyangero was further sentenced to five years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The NPA regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said the court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently and he must be declared unfit to possess a firearm. Mahanjana said on 14 August 2020, in the afternoon, the victim was running on Kloof Street in Pretoria West, when three men came out of the nearby bush, approached and dragged her into the bushes, where Nyangero raped her.
“While Nyengero was raping her the other two men were assaulting her and threaten her with a knife. Thereafter, they forced her to transfer money to them via cell phone banking, tied her hands and fled the scene.
“The victim untied herself, ran to the road, where she got a lift home from a vehicle passing by. Thereafter, she went to Pretoria West Police Station, where she reported the matter,” she said.
Mahanjana further said after investigations, Nyangero was arrested on 21 February 2021, at a tavern in Pretoria West and has been in custody since. She added that, in court, Nyangero pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him and denied ever committing the offences.
“However, the state prosecutor, advocate Chester Molaba, presented compelling evidence by the investigating officers and the victim, which proved that indeed Nyangero committed the offences.
“During sentencing proceedings through his legal representative, Nyangero asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentences because he is married and has two minor children that he needs to provide and care for,” said Mahanjana.
She said, furthermore, he asked the court to consider the fact that he has been in custody for four years since his arrest. Mahanjana said Molaba, however, argued against the deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment because Nyangero showed no remorse for the serious crimes of Gender Based Violence (GBV) he committed, which are prevalent in the country.
“Molaba argued that the offences were inhumane, vicious, and brutal against a defenceless woman. In delivering the judgment, Magistrate Themba Ndwandwe, agreed with the state that the crimes committed by Nyangero were inhumane and that he showed no remorse.
“He said that his actions showed that he had no respect for women because he treated the victim like an animal. Therefore, he found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) advocate, Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, applauds the work of the prosecutor and the investigating officer, Captain Mkhonto, which led to this conviction and sentence. Van Vuuren said she hope that this sentence reaffirms the NPA’s commitment to prosecuting crimes of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Picture: The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi
By REGINALD KANYANE
16 May 2025- The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality said it proceeded with the Mayoral IDP/Budget consultative Imbizo at Boitumelong Sports Ground in Bloemhof on 15 May 2025. The municipality said the event critically fostered community participation and transparency.
The Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi emphasized the importance of active community engagement in shaping local development initiatives. Motlhabi said the municipality outlined the draft budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.
“Our presentation detailed the financial allocations and strategic priorities intended to address the community’s needs. This draft budget is a crucial element in ensuring resource allocation aligns with the community’s expectations and development goals.
“It is important and necessary to cooperate between municipal authorities and residents for effective governance and development. I also provided updates on significant developmental projects within the municipality such as the ongoing progress of the Bloemhof Mall and the thriving Salamat Shopping Complex,” he said.
Motlhabi further said the sewer outflow project aimed at resolving spillage issues, which underscores the municipality’s commitment to infrastructure improvement and environmental health. He added that, the mayoral imbizo represents a continuous effort by the municipality to engage with residents, ensuring that their voices contribute in shaping the municipality’s developmental trajectory.
“This collaboration between the government and its citizens is essential for ensuring sustainable growth and a higher quality of life for all community members,” said Motlhabi.
Picture: Amajita players celebrating against Nigeria/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
16 May 2025 – Amajita are through to the final of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Nigeria 1-0 in a tense final at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt on Thursday night. A lone strike from Tylon Smith in the 66th minute, assisted by Neo Rapoo, sealed the victory for the South African U20 men’s national team.
Amajita coach, Raymond Mdaka’s team started their AFCON campaign with a defeat to the hosts Egypt, but they regrouped to eventually march to the final for the first time in 28 years. Their last appearance in the AFCON finals was back in 1997, where they lost against Morocco.
Mdaka congratulated his players and said they have grown with each passing game in the tournament and shown a lot of character.
“Yes, another win, congratulations to the boys. What a good job, good character, very disciplined, sticking to the agreements, tactical, technical. We really appreciate it.
“As much as it was not easy, our boys are growing in each and every match, growing in character and growing in everything. Thank you so much and well done boys and well done for the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan, congratulated the team on their achievement.
15 May 2025– The Committee on Police is concerned by the low arrest figures of the perpetrators of attacks and extortion on long-haul buses, despite clear evidence provided by bus companies.
The committee held a fruitful engagement with the Golden Arrow bus service and the Intercape bus company following numerous reports of violence against those bus companies and various litigations against the South African Police Service.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Ian Cameron said while they acknowledge the comprehensive work done by the police to implement mitigating initiatives to protect bus companies and their commuters, it remains concerning that of the 300 cases reported between Golden Arrow and Intercape, but no arrest has been made by the police.
Cameron said what is even more worrying is that among the 300 cases, there is a murder case that has not been solved as yet.
“The arrest and prosecution of perpetrators is the only logical deterrence against such cowardly acts, and the lack of movement in this regard is worrying.
“The committee highlighted the concern that, in the case of the attacks on Intercape, the taxi industry has been left to act with impunity and outside the confines of the law. This, according to the committee, is unacceptable and sets a bad precedent that will be difficult to overcome,” he said.
Cameron said the committee has thus resolved that SAPS provide periodical updates on progress of the investigations. He said the committee acknowledged intervention by the SAPS to provide escort and police visibility, these interventions are not sustainable in the long term.
“It is on this basis that the committee has called on the police to institute intelligence-led policing to ensure that perpetrators are arrested. Furthermore, there should be a data-driven approach to policing that focuses on ensuring adequate resourcing of hotspot areas.
“Extortions, in this case focusing on long-haul buses, have proved to be a major economic constraint to businesses that provide necessary transport services,” said Cameron.
He said it is unacceptable that people are robbed of the opportunity to make a choice about the mode of transport they want to use to reach their destination. Cameron said the committee appreciated the collaboration with communities that provide information that is critical to stopping acts of crime.
“The committee has always maintained that community collaborations are critical in combating crime as they are closer to information and are able to provide timeous information to stop crime.
“Meanwhile, the experience with Golden Arrow has proven the importance of collaborations with local governments to combat crime. The installation of security cameras and linkage to the city’s command centre can be a valuable force multiplier and an enabler for faster response times,” said Cameron.
15 May 2025- The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in the North West said it has taken serious note of a video currently circulating in social media platforms wherein the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, MEC Wessels Morweng, is seen confronting individuals allegedly occupying the George Dick Montshioa International Airport without authorisation and instructing them to vacate the premises.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s Provincial Convenor, Alfred Motsi has further taken note that the George Dick Montshioa International Airport is under 24-hour security surveillance by Eagle Eye Security. Motsi said, therefore, the North West Provincial Government ought to have known before about such illegal occupation of a strategic key point by foreign nationals.
“The North West Provincial Government has for many years been talking about repositioning GD Montshioa International Airport as an Airport City and designated Mahikeng Industrial Development Zone (MIDZ) into a special economic zone.
“In many successive States of the Province Address (SOPAs) by various Premiers and the budgets, were allocated to revitalize the airport. Therefore, the recent discovery of illegal occupation of the airport should demonstrate to the public that the previous Premiers and previous Community Safety MECs were in fact incompetent and were sleeping on duty,” he said.
Motsi said uMkhonto weSizwe Party views this incident as an embarrassment of high magnitude that Nigerian foreign nationals have been illegally occupying the GD Montshioa International Airport for about seven years without any lease agreement, without their documents being checked, without paying any rent and whilst enjoying electricity being paid for by South African residents under the watchful eye of the ANC-led government.
He said the airport is one of the key strategic points in the country and therefore the North West Department of Public Works and Roads as the custodian of government property, as well as the police intelligence should have been the first to have picked up the illegal existence of the long occupation of a national strategic key point by foreign nationals.
“It is a huge embarrassment that the North West Provincial Government did not know of the residence of foreign nationals in and the activities taking place in an airport, which is a national strategic key point.
“Therefore, we make an urgent call for investigation for the manifest official omissions and sleeping on duty for about seven years on the part of the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management and Public Works and Roads,” said Motsi.
He said uMkhonto weSizwe Party will reject any plea for ignorance, that no one from the provincial government does not know about this situation. Motsi said this incident should also serve as a manifest indicator of lack of ethical leadership and clean governance on the part of the ANC-led government.
Picture: SABC offices in Auckland park in Johannesburg
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
15 May 2025 – The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) said it has noted with deep concern the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) precarious financial state, which threatens its sustainability in the medium term. The committee said this is despite notable improvements in governance and content delivery.
The Chairperson of SCOPA, Songezo Zibi said SABC appeared before SCOPA on Wednesday to account for its 2023/24 audit outcomes and financial performance. Zibi said SABC received an unqualified audit opinion with a material finding for the 2023/24 financial year – an improvement from the disclaimed audit opinion they received in the 2022/23 financial year.
“However, we remain concerned about the SABC’s long-term financial position because its revenue is insufficient to support its mandate, forcing it to use funds meant for operations for other critical purposes.
“Another concern is that it cannot produce or procure sufficiently fresh programmes and content to compete for advertising and related revenue. It also cannot purchase and install new technologies to meet its mandate in a changing, digitised media landscape,” he said.
Zibi further said similarly, it is struggling to attract or retain talent or stave off demoralisation of staff who have not received a salary increase for several years. He added that, although the corporation has committed to reviewing salaries, increases will likely be modest and uncompetitive.
“Furthermore, it is concerning that the SABC continues to rely on declining TV license fees and government grants to fund 55% of its mandate. TV license fees revenue has declined steadily over the past three years, from R815 million in 2022, R741 million in 2023 and R687 million in 2024, while its expenses have risen extensively.
“The SABC faces a widening funding gap of R7.03 billion over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period and requires a comprehensive funding plan to enable it to access borrowing facilities on the open market,” said Zibi.
He said there is currently no plan to provide the SABC either with a guarantee to access bank loan facilities or a capital injection to meet its mandate. Zibi said when the SABC is unable to provide accurate, credible information to the public the country becomes vulnerable to disinformation and misinformation.
“South Africa has two choices: either to provide support for a capital injection at the SABC or cut back on its mandate. Failure to do either will eventually collapse the institution despite notable improvements in how it is run and managed,” he said.
15 May 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) said it extends its heartfelt gratitude for the strong showing in yesterday’s by-elections, which affirmed the continued relevance of the ANC as a people’s movement rooted in struggle, service and transformation.
The liberation movement said the outcomes of these by-elections reflect more than just electoral victories, they are a reaffirmation of their values and an endorsement of the ongoing work of renewal across our structures and communities.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party congratulates Siyakudumisa Makaula, who was elected in ward 24, City of Johannesburg (Freedom Park/Motsoaledi, Gauteng) and Simon Kleinbooi, elected in ward 5, Nama Khoi Municipality (Springbok, Bergsig, Northern Cape), where the ANC has now reclaimed four wards from the opposition since 2024.
Bhengu-Motsiri said they also congratulate Makhosazane Benrose Bhengu, elected in ward 4, Mpofana Municipality (Rietvlei, KwaZulu-Natal), with increased voter support. She further said these victories are a result of tireless groundwork by ANC volunteers, branch structures and community organisers, who kept the flame of the movement burning in every street, village and township.
“The high turnout and robust support from the streets of Soweto to the rural heartland of Mpofana and the reclaimed ground in Nama Khoi, reaffirm that the ANC is reconnecting with its people and reclaiming its historic role as the leader of society.
“We commit ourselves to honouring this renewed mandate by serving with humility, discipline, and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of our people,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
She said the elected councillors are expected to be visible, responsive and accountable at all times. Bhengu-Motsiri thanked their members, volunteers, supporters and voters who came out in numbers in all these by-elections.
“The ANC is regaining strength, growing in support and marching towards victory. Our Renewal Programme is working, and we will continue to rebuild trust, deliver services and fight for a better life for all,” she said.
The Guardian 