Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass
By REGINALD KANYANE
25 August 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, will be handing over houses to beneficiaries of the Dalton 100 Housing Project in Dalton, Douglas, in the Siyancuma Local Municipality (Pixley Ka Seme District) on 25 August 2025. Vass said Dalton 100 Housing Project is part of the 1 Billion Rand Housing Project launched in January 2024.
He further said he will also hand over title deeds to beneficiaries from around Douglas.
“A title deed is a crucial legal document that proves that a person is the rightful owner of a property or piece of land, and serves to protect rights of citizens, whilst contributing to their economic upliftment, through the leveraging of their properties for various financial and developmental opportunities,” added Vass.
Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
5 August 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, visited beneficiaries of the Jacksonville 139 Housing Project in Jacksonville, near Kimberley today. This follows the handing over of 15 houses to these beneficiaries on 25 July 2025.
Vass said the courtesy visit was to make sure that the beneficiaries have settled in and are happy with their houses. He further said the visit was also to hand over title deeds to the beneficiaries and confirm that they are the rightful owners of these houses.
“This is a follow up visit to these beneficiaries to ascertain that a few days since we handed them their keys, they are still happy and have moved into their new houses. Furthermore, I came today, to personally hand over their title deeds, which is a crucial legal document that proves that they are the rightful owners of these properties.
“The title deed also protects your rights and contributes to the economic upliftment by enabling individuals to leverage their properties for various financial and developmental opportunities,” he said.
Vass added that his department hands over the houses as soon as they are completed to avoid vandalism and to ensure that the beneficiaries take ownership of their houses immediately, while work commences to finish outstanding houses.
Meanwhile, a beneficiary, Andries Zeekoie (63), said he waited long for the house and is eternally grateful to the government for restoring his dignity and ensuring shelter for his family.
30 July 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said they will continue to take decisive action to confront corruption, fraud and poor governance entrenched in various municipalities across the province.
Molapisi said in terms of Section 106 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No. 32 of 2000), and in his capacity as the MEC responsible for Local Government, he has authorised investigations into serious allegations of maladministration, fraud, corruption and other irregularities in the Greater Taung, City of Matlosana and Madibeng Local Municipalities.
“In the case of Greater Taung Local Municipality, the investigation was triggered by persistent instability within the municipal council, which rendered it incapable of discharging its statutory responsibilities. The investigation is completed and remedial actions have been instituted against those councillors who have been implicated.
“We can confirm that the municipality is now stable and is able to execute its executive obligations. In the City of Matlosana, the investigation followed irregularities within governance and administrative structures,” he said.
Molapisi further said the investigation was completed at the end of 2024/2025 financial year. He added that the report will soon be communicated to the council and the findings implemented.
“On 15 July 2025 – we invoked Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act to investigate allegations of maladministration and malfeasance in Madibeng Local Municipality.
“I met with the council to introduce the appointed law firm which will conduct the investigations. During the meeting, councillors have thrown their weight behind the investigations,” said Molapisi.
He said the findings will be finalized within three months and shared with all stakeholders for action. Molapisi said the investigation is part of a broader drive to restore ethical governance, rebuild public confidence and ensure that municipalities truly serve the people.
“EXCO has also resolved to invoke Section 139 (1)(a) of the Constitution in Mamusa and Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipalities. The decision has been communicated to both municipalities and is therefore expected to implement the directives and submit monthly reports to the department.
On 13 December 2023, 26 municipal councillors in the Greater Taung Local Municipality, allegedly convened a special council sitting in the absence of municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai and municipal manager, Andrew Makuapane, where they elected Lerato Babuseng as the new Chief Whip, Kealeboga Seboko as the new municipal speaker and Onkarabile Tong as the new mayor.
The latter accused the former of widespread corruption and maladministration. They alleged that this has affected the smooth running of the municipality and forced Moipolai to request intervention from the then North West MEC for COGHSTA, Nono Maloyi.
Meanwhile, the Action SA councillor, Mika Moeti said he is not aware of the report and he cannot comment.
Picture: The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Namane Dickson Masemola
By AGISANANG SCUFF
24 July 2025- The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Namane Dickson Masemola, presented the Review Discussion Document on the 1998 White Paper on Local Government (WPLG) at a Special MunMEC Consultative Workshop in the Northern Cape. The initiative was convened by the Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass.
The MunMEC was also attended by THE Northern Cape MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene.
Welcoming the 29 of the 31 municipalities of the Northern Cape in attendance and other stakeholders like SALGA, the Northern Cape Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders and other key departments, Vass highlighted the importance of the review process.
“This review process provides us with an opportunity to introspect, to reflect, and ultimately to reimagine local government that is fit-for-purpose and that addresses the multitude of service delivery challenges confronting our communities,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Masemola highlighted that the assumptions underpinning the 1998 system are outdated due to significant political, demographic and economic changes. He emphasized the need to assess whether current local government structures and models remain fit for purpose.
“The inclusive and consultative nature of the review process being led at both political and administrative levels, with public submissions open until 31 July 2025. The process will then move toward developing a draft policy document, to be refined further through feedback engagements in September 2025 and beyond,” said Masemola.
Picture: Fire Department personnel extinguishes fire/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
10 June 2025- As the winter chill tightens its grip, communities across the North West are being urged to remain vigilant amid severe weather conditions as well as strong fire-spreading winds. The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said as freezing weather is upon them, an increasing dependence on indoor heating techniques like paraffin stoves, heaters and open fires are likely to be the order of the day and community members are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution to avoid disastrous domestic and veld fires.
Molapisi said the weather forecasts indicate that the cold weather will persist over the next coming days, bringing with it a combination of snowfall in high-lying areas, strong winds, severe thunderstorms, and extremely cold daytime temperatures.
“Families are encouraged not to leave children unattended near open flames or heating devices, and to practice safe fire behaviours during the winter season.
“These conditions significantly increase the potential for uncontrolled fires, both in domestic settings and across open veld. Strong winds, in particular, can propel and rapidly spread veld fires, putting lives, property, and natural ecosystems at great risk,” he said.
Molapisi said, in addition, the use of heating appliances and open flames indoors during extremely cold weather often results in accidental domestic fires, especially in informal settlements. He further said they urge all residents and communities to take extra precautions during this winter season.
“Avoid leaving fires, candles, or stoves unattended. Use heating appliances safely and keep them away from flammable materials. Do not start fires in open areas, especially on dry, windy days.
“Report any signs of veld fires immediately to local disaster management or emergency services. Disaster management teams led by Provincial Disaster Management Centre, are on high alert and ready to respond for any eventuality,” said Molapisi.
He added that individuals should do their part to stay warm, safe and protect themselves from unnecessary fire disasters this winter.
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.
22 April 20255- On 14 April 2025, the majority of councillors—consisting of 9 out of 16 councillors at Mamusa Local Municipality, petitioned the now former speaker, councillor John Batsi, the Municipal Manager, Rantsho Gincane, and the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, to convene a virtual council meeting on 16 April 2025.
According to the Municipal Manager, Rantsho Gincane, the meeting was convened in terms of Section 29(1A) of the Municipal Structures Act (as amended)(Act), which provides: “If the speaker or acting speaker refuses to call a meeting of the council as requested in terms of subsection (1), the Municipal Manager or in the absence or refusal by the Municipal Manager, a person designated by the MEC for local government in the province, may call and chair the meeting.
“The speaker refused to comply with the request of the majority of councillors, prompting them to approach me. On 17 April 2025, I acceded to the request and issued a notice for the council meeting to be convened on 22 April 2025 via a virtual platform,” he said.
Gincane further said the primary purpose of the meeting was to allow councillors to deliberate on a motion of no confidence against Batsi and Chairperson, Ephraim Chubisi. He added that, the meeting was intended to confirm his appointment, as well as the termination of acting Municipal Manager, FT Mabokela.
“As the convenor of the meeting, I wish to affirm that the council meeting was convened and satisfied the necessary quorum. Residents and stakeholders are hereby informed about the council resolutions.
“A motion of no confidence against Batsi was unanimously passed and he has been replaced by councillor Lesego Motlapele following his uncontested election. Chubisi has been removed as the Chairperson of Finance and Corporate Services and replaced by Councillor Nthabiseng Modise after a motion of no confidence was passed, unanimously,” said Gincane.
He said the council reaffirmed its previous decisions of the meeting held on 18 March 2025, to reinstate him as the substantive Municipal Manager and terminate Mabokela as the acting Municipal Manager. Gincane said the council wishes to categorically state that Mabokela is no longer in the employ of the Mamusa Local Municipality.
“Our immediate concentration and preoccupation is on restoring the confidence of our people and all stakeholders by providing the most basic services and strengthening the municipal administration,” he said.
Picture: A mud house destroyed by torrential rain/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
7 April 2025- Some municipalities across the North West province were affected by the torrential rains. Even though no injuries or fatalities were reported, the impact of the floods includes discomfort.
The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said most of the communities are residing in mud houses, while others reside within floodplains/ low lying areas (Khunotshwane and Matsatseng, near Slurry). Molapisi said most of the damages happened in disaster prone areas exacerbated by material used in construction of structures, especially informal settlements.
“In Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, the affected areas are in Mahikeng, Ramotshere Moiloa and Tswaing Local Municipalities. Some houses in Matsatseng, near Slurry, were waterlogged as well as Khunotswane in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality.
“In Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, the affected area was ward 1 in Migdol in Mamusa Local Municipality. The areas flooded due to the poor storm water drainage system. In Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, Klerksdorp was affected by the flooding,” he said.
Molapisi further said mostly low-lying bridges were severely affected and motorists were advised to use alternative routes. He added that future intervention required communities residing in flood plains/ low lying areas to be relocated to habitable land.
“Municipalities to improve storm water drainage systems. Bridges and culverts in low lying areas need to be upgraded. Community Awareness Campaign to be enhanced as for communities that reside in disaster prone areas.
“The Provincial and Municipal Disaster Management Centres continue to monitor the situation in order to mitigate and prevent major impacts of the heavy rainfall,” said Molapisi.
7 April 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass cautioned the communities in low-lying areas of the riverbanks in the Northern Cape of possible overtopping following the opening of the 5th sluice gate of the Vaal Dam on 6 April 2025, by the Department of Water and Sanitation. Vass said due to the increased water releases by the five sluice gates, there might be a possible overflow at the riverbanks downstream and this will affect infrastructure built in lower-lying areas within the 100 metres.
He further discourages people from conducting rituals at the rivers and activities like baptisms, swimming and fishing and crossing the rivers by foot or with motor vehicles on submerged bridges. Vass added that, they have engaged all five District Disaster Management Centres across the province to submit situational reports to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), so that should the need arise for immediate intervention and mobilisation of resources, they are ready at the PDMC to provide such support.
“The department through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is on high alert for immediate response. The Department of Water and Sanitation is continuously monitoring the water levels in the Vaal River System,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said due to the rapid increase of inflows into the Vaal Dam, a 5th sluice gate has been opened on Sunday to manage water levels that have increased overnight as a result of the ongoing rainfall in the Vaal River catchment.
Mavasa said this is 24-hours after the department opened the 4th sluice gate at the Vaal Dam.
“The water storage levels at the dam stood at 108% on Friday, but as of Sunday, the levels had risen to 109%. The outflows at the dam will increase from 550 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s) to just under 700 mᵌ/s.
“The inflows into the dam have increased since this morning from 1000 m3/s to 1200 m3/s by midday.
Bloemhof Dam storage levels have also risen from yesterday’s 103% to 107% this morning and water releases will be staggered incrementally from the current 1000 mᵌ/s to 1 100 m³/s at 10am; 1 200 m³/s at 12h00; 1 300 m³/s at 14h00 and the last increase at 16h00 to 1 400 m3/s,” he said.
Mavasa further said the increased outflows from Vaal Dam are expected to reach the Vaal Barrage in about 6 hours and Bloemhof Dam in 3 to 4 days and will result in water levels rising in both the dam and the river, overtopping the riverbanks. He added that, due to increased water releases by the five sluice gates, there might be a possible overflowing at the riverbanks downstream and this will affect infrastructure built in lower lying areas within the 100-year floodline.
“People living within the high floodline of the Vaal River downstream of the Vaal Dam and the Bloemhof Dam should evacuate and move to a safe area, and remove valuable equipment, movable infrastructure and livestock.
At Grootdraai Dam located in Mpumalanga in the Upper Vaal River Catchment, upstream of the Vaal Dam, one sluice gate remains open to enable water releases. The Dam is currently sitting at 102%.
“The department is implementing these necessary controlled water releases at the dams as part of dam safety precautions to safeguard the infrastructure. DWS is continuously monitoring the water levels in the Vaal River System,” said Mavasa.
He said through various platforms, the department continuously shares hydrology reports and provides regular updates regarding the water levels in the dams, with recommendations in order to provide early warnings in case of flooding. taungdailynews@gmail.com
7 April 2025- The newly appointed North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) interim board, held a meet-and-greet session with management and staff at the NWHC offices in Mahikeng, following their appointment by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi.
The NWHC CEO, Sello Mogodiri said the engagement focused on fostering collaboration and aligning strategic priorities. Mogodiri said the programme included a formal induction session, where Molapisi addressed the board and management.
“He emphasised the need to prioritise Smart and Mega City projects, highlighting the Lokaleng/Mahikeng Student City
project as an urgent priority due to growing public interest and traditional leadership concerns. Molapisi also called for the swift review of the NWHC Act and
urged strong cooperation between the board and executive management.
“The board received a presentation on the entity’s operational performance, finances and governance framework. Key areas discussed included the 2024/25
Quarterly Performance Reports, Strategic and Annual Performance Plans, Audit Outcomes, and the Revenue Enhancement Strategy,” he said.
Mogodiri further said the Chairperson of interim board, Dr Manketsi Tlhape, welcomed the opportunity to serve and committed to strengthening governance, accountability, and the Corporation’s role in delivering sustainable human settlements across the province. He added that they reaffirmed management’s commitment to working closely with the board.
“We will ensure that you receive all the necessary information and that our operations remain transparent. I believe your combined experience will bring valuable insight and wisdom to help us improve service delivery.
“The session concluded with a joint commitment to uphold good governance, transparency, and effective service delivery in line with the developmental goals
of the North West Provincial Government,” said Mogodiri.
