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.
9 April 2025- Military veterans in Ganyesa were on cloud nine as they moved into their new houses. This comes after the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, presented them with keys to their houses recently.
Molapisi said the handover marked a significant milestone in the department’s commitment of eradicating the military veterans housing programme backlog and providing quality houses to them, thereby improving their livelihoods. He said during the handover, he emphasized that the provincial department, in conjunction with the National Department of Military Veterans, have resolved and agreed on the standard plan nationally and that made way for these houses to be constructed.
“The department remains committed to ensuring that all military veterans are traced and get access to their benefits, including building houses for them. It remains the department’s mandate to ensure that the military veterans housing backlog becomes a thing of the past.
“This is possible, if we work together to ensure that our military veterans are given back their pride and dignity for all the sacrifices they have made for the freedom we are enjoying today,” he said.
Molapisi further said he is proud to stand before them to witness their patience finally paying off. He added that they kept their faith and thanked them for that.
“This is your home, please look after it,” said Molapisi.
The acting mayor of Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality, Karolo Mothwane, welcomed the delivery and handover of the houses. Mothwane said the municipality prides itself to be recognised as the first municipality in the North West to hand over houses to military veterans.
“As the municipality we are very privileged to be home to these great men who committed their lives to the fight for freedom, their legacy will forever be preserved for prosperity” he said.
Former Bophuthatswana Defence Force (BDF) member and one of the beneficiaries of the military veterans housing programme, Patrick Nampa (54) said he is happy that his dream of owning a house has been realised. Nampa has been living in his family house with his wife and children.
Another beneficiary, Motlapele Otto (59) said that he is happy for his family now that they have their own home. Otto worked for the Bophuthatswana Defence Force from 1986 to 1994, then joined the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) until 1997. He is currently staying with his wife and children, and he is a military veteran’s grant recipient.
“I want to thank the department for taking care of the military veterans. This really shows that we were not fighting the Apartheid regime for nothing,” said Otto.
Both Nampa and Otto urged other military veterans to be patient, because they believe that their turn will also come.
Meanwhile, out of the targeted 33 houses for the previous financial year, the department has managed to build and complete 13 military veterans’ houses. Seven are in Ganyesa, two in Tlakgameng, one in Kgokgojane and the other three are in Mabele-a-pudi and Bapong villages respectively.
Picture: Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass, Sol Plaatje municipal speaker, Dipuo Peters and Executive Mayor of Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, Martha Bartlett/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
2 April 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass undertook an oversight visit to the Sol Plaatje Municipality (SPM), as part of a drive to accelerate service delivery and ensure better coordination between the two spheres of government. Vass said the visit began with a high-level meeting, attended by the Executive Mayor, Martha Bartlett, the Municipal Speaker, Dipuo Peters, Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs), and senior administrative leaders of the SPM.
“During the session, reports were presented on the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) project aimed at addressing the municipality’s water challenges, as well as the ongoing issues in Diamond Park related to sewerage.
“The meeting also focused on the municipality’s planned interventions to resolve these issues. Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Newton Water Reservoir and the Diamond Park area to further assess the situation on the ground,” he said.
Vass further said he was joined by the acting Head of Department (HoD), advocate Mogami Manyeneng and Senior Managers from the department. He added that they are encouraged by the positive feedback on the BFI water project and the ongoing efforts to resolve the water challenges in the city.
“We have established a task team consisting of the Department of COGHSTA, the Sol Plaatje Municipality and National Department of Water and Sanitation to explore long-term solutions for the sewer challenges in Diamond Park, while acknowledging the municipality’s interim measures to alleviate the situation for residents.
“Similar oversight visits will be conducted in other municipalities across the province to ensure that all municipalities are mobilized to accelerate the resolution of service delivery issues,” said Vass.
Meanwhile, Bartlett said: “We are pleased that Vass took the time to visit today, as it has provided us with an opportunity to engage on critical issues of service delivery.
“We value the support from COGHSTA and trust that such engagements will continue regularly so that we can work together to better serve our communities.”
Bartlett said the visit also aimed to reinforce intergovernmental coordination and improve service delivery, in line with the priorities of the 7th administration and the integration and partnership model set forth by the District Development Model (DDM).taungdailynews@gmail.com
Picture: The new NWHC Interim Board members/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
31 March 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has appointed interim board members for the North West Housing Corporation (NHWC) with effect from 1 April 2025, until a new board is appointed. Molapisi has made appointments in terms of Section 3(2) of the North West Housing Corporation Act No 24 of 1982.
He further said the primary mission of the NWHC is to provide housing through development and property management. Molapisi added that he has appointed Dr Manketsi Tlhape, Kabelo Mataboge, Wendy Nelson, Dikeledi Moagi, Samuel Tsagae, Sarah Nkatlo, Seatlathebe Lepomane and Lenah Miga.
“In terms of Section 3(2) of the Act, I have designated Tlhape as the Chairperson of the Interim Board with Mataboge, serving as her Deputy. The interim board has been directed to lead review of the current Act and kickstart the process of filling the vacancy of the CEO, as the tenure of the incumbent ends in July 2025.
“Immediate focus will also be on the Smart and Mega Cities Project, including the Mahikeng Student City. We wish the interim board well in its efforts to assist the housing development mandate in the province,” he said.
Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
26 March 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has called on senior managers of the department to ensure the institutionalisation of District Development Model (DDM), to address challenges faced by municipalities in the province. Molapisi was addressing the strategic planning session of COGTA, held recently in Mahikeng to draft plans with clear targets, aimed at changing the face of local government and upscale support to institutions of traditional councils.
He further said service delivery challenges that as experienced by the communities, rest on ineffective local government. Molapisi added that, many municipalities lack the technical skill and resources to deal with unmaintained roads, frequent disruption in the supply of water and electricity, uncollected refuse as well as sewerage that runs in the streets.
“I demand immediate actions on amongst others the filling of vacant funded positions, inputs to the White Paper on Local Government, finalisation of policy on Traditional Leadership, particularly on issues of coronational and tools of trades as directed.
“The department must play a leading role in the institutionalisation of the DDM as the key vehicle for service delivery. We will host the local government focused summit soon to discuss how best we can institutionalise the DDM approach. The DDM is more than a policy. It is a call to honour our constitution,” he said.
Molapisi said they must never tire, but continue to work to resolve key challenges in the municipalities. He said they might consider aligning their strategic documents with One District Plans.
“We must also develop a tool to monitor the implementation of DDM across four districts. We need to take the lead in ensuring full participation of National and Provincial champions. We must ensure DDM champions take the lead in various interventions and programmes within their respective deployments.
“Local Economic Development leg of our interventions will also be upscaled to deal with socio-economic challenges faced by different communities. The priorities of the government include driving inclusive growth and job creation, to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living and to build a capable, ethical and developmental state,” said Molapisi.
He said, therefore, they need a leverage on this commitment to improve the state of local economic development in the municipalities. Molapisi said all officials were urged to do everything humanly possible to ensure that “Every Municipality Must Work” as local government it is the closest sphere of government to the people. taungdailynews@gmail.com
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