Picture: North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
22 July 2025- In celebrating the International Nelson Mandela Day, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, led a successful handover of a newly-built house with furniture to Bele Martha Nkatiso (100) from Vrischgewaagt village, Atamelang.
Molapisi further said the handover marked a special tribute to the struggle icon Nelson Mandela and highlights the government’s commitment to improving the lives of its most vulnerable citizens. He added that the fully furnished house is as a result of a successful government and private sector partnership aimed at addressing housing backlogs, as well as strengthening relations between the two sectors to deliver affordable housing and enhance social change.
“The gesture is inspired by the call Tata Mandela made, which is for everyone to take action in addressing the world’s social injustices. Today is a day of giving back and making a difference in the lives of our communities, this is exactly what Nelson Mandela stood for, which is to give back in a way which changes the lives of our people.
“It is for that reason that as the government we saw it fit to bring joy in the face of Nkatiso and her family. We are happy to see that she’s lived up to a 100 years, we are happy to have used this day with the people we’ve collaborated with to give you a house where you can live comfortably, safely and without worry,” said Molapisi.
In receiving keys to the house, Nkatiso gave gratitude to the department and stakeholders for building her family a house, she said this will mark a significant improvement in their living conditions as they have lived in a dilapidated shack divided into two sleeping areas, living space and kitchen.
“I thank the Lord for answering my prayers. I have longed for a proper home, and today, my dream has come true,” she said.
In addition to the furnished house, Nkatiso also received food parcels, blankets and toiletries courtesy of various stakeholders, who responded to the call and played their part in honour of Nelson Mandela.
Picture: One of families receive a house from North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi
By BAKANG MOKOTO
14 July 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has fulfilled a promise he made last year by handing over houses to two destitute families in Tlakgameng village, near Ganyesa, as part of build-up to his department’s Budget Vote that will be held later this month. Molapisi said the generous gesture was made possible through a successful partnership between the Department of Human Settlements and one developer contracted by the department to build houses in the area.
He further said the developer is said to be competent in the construction of houses with credible track record for constructing low cost houses for the department. Speaking during the handover, Molapisi added that it is through collaboration between the public and private sectors that they will be able to address the housing backlog and ensure that people have access to safe, affordable, and dignified living spaces.
“Today, we have brought back the dignity of the Setshogela and Montshabatho families. The houses we are handing over to them are a sign that our government continues to care about the plight of its people.
“This act of generosity has not only provided a safe and dignified shelter for the two vulnerable families but has also restored hope and a sense of belonging. It is through such meaningful interventions that lasting social change is achieved,” he said.
Molapisi said the donation of the houses comes at the right time ahead of the departmental budget vote, which will be held on 23 July 2025, where he will outline plans by the department to achieve the mandate of creating a sustainable human settlement for all the citizens of the North West. He said the department extends its heartfelt appreciation to the philanthropists for their continued unwavering commitment to social responsibility and for making a tangible difference in the lives of those most in need.
“Their contribution is a true example of the power of partnerships between the government, private sector and communities in building a better future for all.
Meanwhile, the handover was accompanied by other donations such as food parcels from the Department of Social Development, vegetable and seedlings from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and planting of trees in each household by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism.
Receiving keys to the newly-built house, Kgomotso Ivy Setshogela, thanked the government and the contractor for gifting her family with the house. She said they now have a proper house structure to sleep in.
“I am grateful to the MEC and the contractor for affording me and my family shelter as I had long lost hope in our situation,” said Setshogela.
Setshogela (47) lives with 12 dependants in an old cracked house, which is on the brink of collapsing. The family survives through child support grants received by some of the children in the household.
Another house beneficiary was the jubilant, Mmiki Montshabatho (70) who also gave gratitude to the department and all those involved for gifting the family with the new house. Montshabatho said she is overjoyed with the gesture and hoped that this does not only end with them and the same should be extended to others in need as well.
“We are a family of nine and we have been staying in a one-roomed shack. We did not have access to any government benefits such as grants and healthcare as we face challenges with civil documentation,” she said.
Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi
By OBAKENG MAJE
202 June 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said his department has promised to expeditiously arrange a meeting between North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and the province’s military veterans. This comes after a Provincial Imbizo on the Military Veterans Housing Programme held at Mogwase, near Rustenburg.
Molapisi further said the Imbizo was held in line with the resolution of the Human Settlements MINMEC, provided feedback and information on the interventions approved by Cabinet to fast-track the delivery of adequate housing to Military Veterans.
He added that key challenges affecting the programme include disagreements about approved plans by the Department of Military Veterans, locations, where homes are built, qualifying criteria, untraceable members and beneficiaries, and a lack of serviced sites amongst others.
“This is despite veterans of the armed forces being either homeless, living with their families, or living in unfavourable conditions as a result of the programme’s poor performance.
“Before the start of the Imbizo, we handed over three completed houses to Military Veterans at Mabele-A-Pudi village and Bapong. We urge the veterans to exercise patience as the government works in their best interest,” said Molapisi.
He said that as a caring government, they recognise the sacrifices of military veterans towards achievement of democracy and freedom. Molapisi said he will personally facilitate the meeting between the departments and Mokgosi to address their challenges.
“We are aware of most of them and we are more than willing to address them. We further promise to engage with municipalities through the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to encourage them to also address their needs, such as the provision of service sites for the construction of houses.
“The Department of Human Settlements should also ensure that they make provision for those who are still in service and earning more and are not qualifying for the houses through the First Home Finance Programme,” he said.
Molapisi said other resolutions he made were to engage the Department of Public Works to avail properties that are no longer in use.
“To track and monitor progress, the Military Veterans Housing Programme will now be discussed at MUNIMEC meetings, where I interact with municipalities on a range of issues about service delivery.
“As our liberators, I pledge to do everything in my power to make sure you get what you deserve, and I will use the departmental budget speech to further address your concerns. There will be less talk and more action this time,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to military veterans, most of their challenges emanate from mistreatment from government officials, as most of their calls are not being answered. They said their applications take forever to be processed and the fact that they do not want to be served by people who have never been in the military, as they would not understand their plight.
Picture: The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality offices up in flames/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
9 June 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi to immediately commission a comprehensive forensic investigation into the burning of the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality offices in Christiana. The municipal offices went up in flames on Saturday night and the cause of the fire is still unknown.
The DA spokesperson on SCOPA in the North West Provincial Legislature, Freddy Sonakile asked when governance burns, who benefits? Sonakile said they call for an urgent probe into the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality inferno.
“It is not the first time that public infrastructure has gone up in flames in Lekwa-Teemane. Over the years, the municipality has seen fires consume critical facilities, including the town hall, a clinic, and a hospital.
“The pattern is deeply troubling and demands urgent scrutiny. This latest fire comes just days after the municipality appeared before the North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), where members expressed outrage at the municipality’s disclaimed audit opinion,” he said.
Sonakile further said this includes the lack of proper supporting documentation. He added that the timing of this fire raises serious concerns and cannot be ignored.
“Facts must be confronted. The committee itself was unequivocal. Destroying or failing to safeguard public records is a criminal offence under the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act.
“The forensic investigation must establish the whereabouts and responsibilities of municipal security personnel at the time of the fire. Whether the municipal offices and their contents were insured and whether this incident may be linked to a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence relevant to financial mismanagement or maladministration,” said Sonakile.
He said in addition, they call on law enforcement authorities to urgently open and pursue a criminal case of arson and for both investigations to be concluded without delay, with findings made fully public. Sonakile said they are determined to uncover the truth.
“The people of Lekwa-Teemane deserve transparency, accountability and justice, not ashes where governance should stand,” he said.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “At this stage, enquiry has been registered regarding the incident and investigations are underway.”
*Meanwhile, the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi was not available for comment as his phone rang unanswered. His response will be incorporated in the article when received.
Picture: The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
27 May 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi expressed his satisfaction on the progress registered. This comes after Molapisi’s recent visit to Redirile Housing Project, wherein 385 housing units are being constructed in Redirile Township, in Derby.
He said this demonstrates the department’s commitment to ensuring that the elderly, people with disabilities and child-headed families are provided with quality housing, their living conditions are improved and they regain their dignity.
“I am very pleased with the speed in which the project is moving at. This shows that we are moving in the right direction to ensuring that our communities have decent housing.
“As a department, ours is to ensure that we create and facilitate sustainable human settlements for our people as this will help to improve the quality of their households,” said Molapisi.
He said the Redirile Housing Project is part of the department’s efforts, which aims to provide quality housing to residents, particularly those who have been living in very dire conditions for years. Molapisi said the project, which started in 2022 is currently at 90% completion, with less than 30 units remaining to be completed and handed over to beneficiaries.
“If the department can keep up with this speed, they will be able to tackle all the housing backlogs they are faced with, thereby providing communities with decent homes and improving their livelihoods,” he said.
Moreover, Molapisi together with the Head of Department, Kgomotso Mahlobo and departmental officials paid visit to an elderly woman (84), who has been staying in a dilapidated shack with her six grandchildren for years and has not benefited from the government’s low-cost housing scheme. He expressed his concerns on the family’s living conditions and committed that his department together with the local municipality will follow-up on the matter to ensure that the household situation improves and the elderly woman gets a decent house.
“It cannot be correct that an elder at her age is still exposed to such living conditions. As the department, we will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to ensure that a house is being built for her,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of Department, Kgomotso Mahlobo echoed the Molapisi’ sentiments that the department, working together with municipalities, will continue to identify elders and assist them. Mahlobo further stressed the importance of regular applications follow-ups and reviewing housing policies to ensure that they are appropriate for identifying deserving applicants.
“By doing so, the department can better support vulnerable community members and provide them with the assistance they need,” she said.
Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi
By OBAKENG MAJE
12 May 2025- The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) in the North West is calling for the immediate resignation of the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi. The party alleged that there is administrative paralysis at various municipalities under the leadership of Molapisi.
The uMkhonto weSizwe provincial convenor, Alfred Motsi said they strongly condemns the continued administrative paralysis and lack of governance across multiple municipalities in the province. Motsi said the recent placement of Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality under Section 139(1)(a) is yet another indication of a systemic collapse that has become a norm under the ANC-led government.
“We call for the immediate and total dissolution of municipalities such as Ditsobotla, Kagisano-Molopo, Madibeng, Matlosana, Moses Kotane and Mamusa Local Municipalities. These municipalities have become synonymous with instability, maladministration and deliberate evasion of accountability.
“Year after year, some of them are placed under administration without any lasting solutions—proof of a governance system that is both broken and deliberately kept dysfunctional. The ANC continues to use its majority in municipal councils to shield corrupt officials and councillors from accountability,” he said.
Motsi further said investigative reports—particularly close-up reports are consistently left incomplete or are never tabled at all, because they expose deep-rooted corruption and incompetence among both senior officials and ANC councillors. He added that this is not just negligence—it is a deliberate and strategic cover-up.
“We further demand the immediate resignation of the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, and the North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi, whose continued tenure only serves to maintain the decay and dysfunction. They, along with many other provincial leaders and administrators, have failed to serve the people of North West with the dignity and urgency they deserve.
“It is time to clean the house. All officials and councillors who have consistently failed to deliver basic services, mismanaged resources and ignored the cries of our people must go. The people of the North West deserve clean, transparent, and accountable local government. Enough is enough,” said Motsi.
Meanwhile, Molapisi spokesperson, Lerato Gambu said: “Ditsobotla, Mamusa, and Kagisano-Molopo are among the municipalities that are struggling in both the administration and the council. Ditsobotla Local Municipality has been experiencing challenges because of instability in both council and the administration, which resulted in poor service delivery.
“The municipality is currently placed under Section 139 (5) (a) and (c) of the Constitution read with section 139 the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003, which gives the provincial government authority to impose the Financial Recovery Plan in this municipality.”
Gambu said the Mamusa Local Municipality has also been experiencing challenges in the administration. He said at the council’s request, COGTA seconded Frans Mabokela as an acting Municipal Manager in accordance with Regulation 20 of the Regulations on Appointment and Conditions of Employment of Senior Managers and Section 54A (6) of the Municipal Systems Act.
“Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality has been placed under Section 139 (1)(a) of the Constitution, which states that when a municipality cannot or does not fulfil an executive obligation in terms of the constitution or legislation, the relevant provincial executive may intervene by taking any appropriate steps to ensure fulfilment of that obligation, including— (a) issuing a directive to the Municipal Council, describing the extent of the failure to fulfil its responsibilities and stating any steps required to meet its obligations,” said Gambu.
He said, additionally, the municipality faces some difficulties, including a high vacancy rate, inability to table an adjustment budget and instability in the administration and council. However, Gambu said Molapisi will not entertain the call to resign by the MKP.
“These views are nothing, but a political witch-hunt and borders on populism of the highest order. Municipalities are functional with systemic challenges, which make it difficult for them to function optimally. Some of the challenges include the political instability in few councils, vacancies in senior management positions, debt owed to Eskom and Bulk Water accounts, as well as little or no revenue generation.
“Through the one-on-one engagement sessions with municipalities, performance plans for each municipality were drafted with clear directives to be implemented to turn around the situation,” he said.
Gambu said this is just one of many initiatives that the department is implementing in an effort to achieve “ideal municipalities” as they push towards ensuring that “every municipality must work”. He said through this initiative, all municipalities must be viable and able to collect revenue.
“They must be able to deliver basic services to communities. This includes being accountable and responsive to the needs of the communities. All municipalities must also have capable, ethical and principled leaders in both council and administration.
“Councils must exercise zero tolerance on corruption, maladministration, and nepotism. What is happening in Kagisano-Molopo is not a systematic failure by the ANC-led government, but the constitution of the Republic of South Africa empowers both the national and provincial governments through Section 154, to support and capacitate municipalities,” said Gambu.
He said the support is aimed at ensuring that municipalities can render basic services. Gambu said therefore, invocation of Section 139(1)(a) by the provincial government should be viewed in the spirit of addressing anomalies at municipalities and ensuring that local government functions optimally, with service delivery as its apex priority. Gambu said the dissolution of municipalities is not an end in itself.
“We have identified the existing challenges across our municipalities. We continue to work in partnership with both SALGA and the provincial treasury and other stakeholders to arrive at an ideal state of municipalities.
“We aim to assist municipalities in achieving clean audits. The national department of COGTA supports our efforts and plans to turn around municipalities and we believe if we set our eyes on the ball and avoid noise, we will achieve our goals,” he said.
23 April 2025- The embattled Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality has officially been placed under Section 139 (1) (a) of the Constitution of South Africa with immediate effect. This was announced by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi after he officially communicated the decision by the Provincial Executive (EXCO) to place the Kagiso-Molopo Local Municipality under Section 139(1) (a) of the Constitution of South Africa, effective immediately.
Molapisi said Section 139 (1)(a) of the Constitution authorises the Provincial Executive Committee to intervene by taking appropriate steps to ensure fulfilment of that obligation, including issuing a directive to the council describing the extent of the failure to fulfil its obligations and stating required steps to be undertaken by the municipality to meet its obligations.
Addressing a special meeting with the municipal council, he announced directives to be implemented within the prescribed period.
“The directives to council include amongst others, to stabilise and strengthen the governance and oversight structures of council, improve compliance with legislative requirements for recruitment of personnel and acting appointment of senior managers.
“Improve the administrative capacity of the municipality, improve financial management and improve prudential management of litigations and related ancillary processes in the municipality. Amongst the issues which the municipality is expected to attend to include filling of vacant positions, especially at senior management level,” said Molapisi.
He further said this includes developing and adopting payment plans informed by sustainable cash flow projections, and dealing with ongoing disputes between the municipality and the substantive Municipal Manager. Molapisi added that EXCO took the decision to give the council an opportunity to remedy the current situation before it reaches a state of paralysis.
“The directives should serve as an opportunity for councillors as elected by the people to reclaim their space, play their role and champion service delivery. The municipality has been for a considerable period characterised by instability in both administration and council which affected the ability of the municipality to operate effectively,” he said.
Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has concluded one-on-one engagements with selected municipalities
By REGINALD KANYANE
17 April 2025- Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has concluded one-on-one engagements with selected municipalities to address specific issues of service delivery and the appointment of Section 54 Managers in these municipalities.
Vass said the series of meetings that started last week, with among others, the Frances Baard District Municipality, the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, the Gamagara Local Municipality, the Nama-Khoi Local Municipality, the Tsantsabane Local Municipality and the Emthanjeni Local Municipality, sought to receive reports on specific issues hampering service delivery and the processes to finalise key and strategic senior management positions in these municipalities.
He further said Vass received reports on issues related to water challenges in some of the municipalities, revenue collection strategies, as well as the delays in the appointment of key positions in some of the municipalities. Vass added that at the end of these meetings, he was happy with the feedback received about the progress the municipalities are making to address service delivery challenges and the processes of filling critical vacancies, especially at a senior management level.
“I am happy that all the municipalities are having tangible plans in place to address a wide range of issues that I discussed with the mayors, speakers and accounting officers of these municipalities. The meetings were cordial and the agreed deliverables will be monitored closely by my office to ensure that there is compliance with all service delivery imperatives and legislative prescripts.
“We will continue to work with these municipalities in the spirit of cooperative governance as required by the District Development Model (DDM). Engagements with other identified municipalities will continue to ensure better service delivery to communities and stable administration in municipalities,” he said.
Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
10 April 2025- Speaking recently at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on the occasion of the debate on housing inadequacy in South Africa and the prevalence of informal settlements, North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, has acknowledged that his department is currently facing housing backlogs due to amongst others the non effective operational municipal system and thus hinders and delays the department to provide adequate housing to the people.
Molapisi said the department is aware of the municipal infrastructure units’ shortcomings such as the deterioration of the infrastructure and therefore having significant effect in housing delivery is compromised.
He further highlighted budget cuts and increase in population as other factors impacting the delivery of houses in the province. He added that, for instance, the province used to get R2 billion in grant funding nearly ten years ago, but like many provinces, that has since changed.
“The targeted delivery of homes and serviced sites decreased as a result of budget cuts that cut off R400 million just two fiscal years ago. With regards to the increasing number of informal settlements in the province, the department continues to observe the expansion of informal settlements, especially at the mining towns due to potential employment opportunities.
“Municipalities are also inundated with constant land invasions putting pressure to the department to respond expeditiously to provide basic services thereby disrupting normal planning cycle and processes,” said Molapisi.
He said they cannot shy away from the fact that informal settlements are increasing. Molapisi said is for this reason that the National Department of Human Settlements has adopted the White Paper for Human Settlements (2024), which provides for a tacit approach to address challenges arising from informal settlements.
“To align and play our part, the North West Department of Human Settlements has just completed an informal settlement upgrading strategy after which it will commence with informal settlements upgrading projects”.
“In addition, the Department of Human Settlements is working closely with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the province to resolve challenges of bulk infrastructure at affected municipalities,” he said.
Molapisi said through the COGTA Bulk Infrastructure Committee (BIC), they have taken advantage of the Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) bid window to apply for bulk infrastructure projects. He said they are working around the clock to try source available funding to alleviate the situation.
“We remain committed to creating sustainable human settlements. It is our considered view that the restoration of our people’s dignity rests in housing them in habitable homes with basic amenities. The Department of Human Settlements is putting a spotlight on issues of lack of bulk infrastructure for human settlements projects, as well as promoting integration of social and economic aspects thereby yielding dividends in terms of spatial planning, community services and broader quality of life for our citizens.
“Through the District Development Model (DDM), we are encouraging our municipalities to consider using bylaws to address land invasions coupled with planning to formalise old settlements on available vacant state land,” said Molapisi.
Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
9 April 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, will on 10 April 2025, host the strategic meeting of the MEC with Executive Mayors and Mayors (MUNIMEC).
Molapisi said the MUNIMEC has been established in line with the Intergovernmental Relations Framework (IGR), which is the platform designed to improve collaboration, enhance municipal governance, address systemic service delivery challenges, such as housing; foster financial accountability and amplify the institutionalisation of the District Development Model (DDM).
“We will also officially launch the Clean Cities Campaign under the theme “Rata Tikologo Ya Gago” (Love Your Environment). The campaign forms part of the province’s broader commitment to sustainable development and improved service delivery.
“The meeting will take place at Protea Hotel in Klerksdorp on 10 April 2025, at 9am, while the launch of the Clean Cities Campaign will take place in Kanana Township, near Orkney at 2pm,” he said.
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