13 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass on Thursday, met with the Implementing Agents (IAs) and contractors appointed for the 1 Billion Rand Housing Project for the Northern Cape, launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, in January 2024.
Vass said the project was launched to address the huge housing backlog in the Northern Cape and will deliver a total of 2500 units as part of the first phase of the project, across 13 local municipalities, in the 5 districts of the province. He further said the meeting was part of ongoing engagements with the contractors to address delays in the building process that may delay the delivery of these houses to the beneficiaries.
“There is a need for contractors to accelerate the pace and to meet their contractual obligations and agreed timelines. We are not going to tolerate undue delays or shoddy workmanship, because our communities deserve good quality houses, sooner than later, from this government.
“We are monitoring your performances closely across the five districts, and we are going to ultimately terminate non-performing contractors because we cannot continue at this slow pace,’’ said Vass.
He added that two Implementing Agents (IAs) and nineteen contractors, were appointed by the department in 2024 to be part of this project. Vass said the IAs are responsible for overseeing the entire project.
“They committed to monitoring the contractors closely and to apply necessary proactive measures to prevent any delays,” he said.
Picture: MECs for COGHSTA from various provinces/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
13 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass said he had joined other MECs of Human Settlements, from other provinces, hosted by the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, visited Conradie Park, in Pinelands, Western Cape, as a build up to the MINMEC (Minister and MECs) Meeting, hosted in Cape Town, today. Conradie Park is an integrated human settlements development expected to yield 3500 residential units of which 1715 of them will be allocated to the Social Housing Programme and First Home Finance.
Vass said the fully integrated precinct development will on completion include two schools, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility, retail and commercial space and recreational facilities. He said he was joined by the Head of the Department (HoD), Bafedile Lenkoe, Chief Director for Human Settlements, Mr Gratitude Booysen and Head of Ministry (HoM), Mayenzeke Mbekushe, at this important MINMEC.
“The MINMEC will discuss a wide range of issues related to Human Settlements including, the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) performance by Provinces and Metro Municipalities; progress that has been made in the upgrading of Informal Settlements to Phase 3 (final phase) of the Informal Settlements Upgrading Program as per the National Housing Code of 2009, progress report on the Military Veterans Housing Programme (MVHP).
“This includes an account of the emergency housing operations for the 2024/25 financial year. The Human Settlements MINMEC is a strategic high-level meeting between the Minister and the MECs to discuss critical matters related to human settlements development throughout the country,” said Vass.
Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi during community engagement/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
11 March 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said the anticipated Moshawane housing project will soon get off the ground, bringing a significant amount of excitement and interest from the local community. Molapisi said this during his recent engagement with the community of Moshawane village to address the housing backlog.
Molapisi also highlighted that the Ratlou Local Municipality has prioritised the Moshawane village in its Integrated Development Programme (IDP), which was forwarded to the Department of Human Settlements for construction that includes land ownership, budget and compliance, norms and standards as well as relevant legislation programmes. He assured the community that the housing project will soon take place in their village.
“Our department has made a commitment to build 100 housing units in the village with a total budget of R20 million and all the necessary processes towards the commencement of the project have been made. The project will be announced after the budget speech.
“The department will come for Sod-turning ceremony after the announcement of the departmental budget speech. This project must be an opportunity for job creation, sub-contracting must be given to the community members who have the capacity and knowledge to do the job,” he said.
Molapisi further said his department needs to ensure that the beneficiaries who were approved are available so that the department doesn’t encounter problems during allocation time. He added that most of the elderly people live in shacks and mud houses.
“So, it is the responsibility of the department to ensure that elderly people are prioritised, as well as People Living with Disabilities and Child-Headed families,” said Molapisi.
One of the elderly people, Peloyareng Modisakeng (74) said that he is happy that the Molapisi came to their village and he is looking forward to the project because he is old now and doesn’t have a proper home for his family.
A community leader, Goodwin Maphutshi (45), appreciated the report from the Molapisi as they have been longing for development within their village. Maphutshi said the project will clarify the dilemma making rounds within the village as many community members felt that the government has neglected them.
Meanwhile the Manager for Ngaka Modiri Molema District in the Department, Macmillan Keboneilwe said the marching orders from the MEC are clear that this project must be completed in the coming financial year of 2025/26. He said they will closely monitor the project to ensure that it will be timeously completed and emerging businesses and community members of Moshawane will benefit not only in getting houses but also in job opportunities coming out of the project.
Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass on oversight visits/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
11 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has embarked on oversight visits in Perth and Heuningvlei, where the One Billion Rand Housing Project will commence. The project was launched by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2024.
Vass who was accompanied by the executive mayor of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Pulane Mogatle-Thoane, the District Municipality Speaker, Ephraim Aiseng, the Joe Morolong Local Municipality mayor, Dineo Leutlwetse-Tshabalala, Kgosikgolo Hastings Jantjie and Kgosikgolo Pule Bareki, and several councillors, also had community engagement with the housing beneficiaries in Heuningvlei.
“We briefed the delegation on the housing project for the JTG District and its progress. Over 500 houses will be built in Joe Morolong Municipality as part of the One Billion Rand Housing Project to address the housing backlog in the JTG District.
“This provided us with a first-hand opportunity to observe the progress in the JTG District and to engage with the contractors responsible for the area. The successful visit was concluded with a community meeting, where we engaged 200 housing beneficiaries at the Heuningvlei Community Hall,” he said.
Vass further said as the Northern Cape Provincial Government (NCPG, they intend to expedite the One Billion Rand Housing Project and ensure that the beneficiaries receive their quality houses sooner. He added that, to this end, they receive a weekly progress report, and the Human Settlements team is working closely with the contractors to ensure adherence to the project timelines.
“A follow-up meeting between COGHSTA, the Traditional Council, and the District and Local Municipality, will take place to address some of the challenges highlighted by members of the community, including beneficiary administration and job opportunities and sub-contracting issues.
“Following the briefing, we handed over two houses to Albert Mothobi and Selita Nkgari’s family in Churchhill. These two families were assisted after news reports on the dire state of their mud houses,” said Vass.
Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
20 February 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass said he hosted a successful special MUNIMEC (Municipalities and MEC) meeting to discuss critical issues affecting local government in Springbok on 19 February 2025.
Bass said the MUNIMEC is a strategic meeting of the MEC with Executive Mayors/Mayors, and Municipal Managers, to discuss and resolve critical issues affecting the local government sphere.
He further said a total of 29 out of 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape, attended the special MUNIMEC. Bass added that, the presentations made included a report on the ward configuration process led by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
“We also received a presentation on the progress made by municipalities to adopt the standard draft by-laws for the registration of businesses, the spending by municipalities on the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the revenue enhancement strategies of municipalities.
“We are happy that during the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this month, progressive pronouncements were made, including relooking at the funding model of local government, to ensure modern and fit-for-purpose local sphere of government,” he said.
Vass urged the local government leadership in the province to fully take part in all the processes that will unfold affecting local government, emanating from the president speech during the SoNA. He also announced that the provincial cabinet is finalising plans to host the Northern Cape Local Government Summit.
The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass
By REGINALD KANYANE
18 February 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass is set host a special Municipalities and MEC (MUNIMEC) meeting on 19 February 2025, in Springbok (Namakwa District) to discuss critical issues affecting local government.
Vass said the MUNIMEC is a strategic meeting of the MEC with Executive Mayors/Mayors and Municipal Managers, of all 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape.
He further said the special MUNIMEC will receive and discuss presentations on the ward configuration processes in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Vass added that this includes the progress made by municipalities to adopt the standard draft by-laws for the registration of businesses.
“We will also receive a presentation on the security clearance (vetting) of Municipal Managers and Directors reporting directly to the Municipal Managers, amongst critical items on the agenda of the special meeting.
“We are looking forward to this special MUNIMEC, as we have identified a few matters that must be dealt with on an urgent basis to ensure that municipalities are aware of a few changes to the legislation or regulations,” he said.
Vass said they also need to familiarise themselves with legislative measures as there are upcoming Local Government elections. He said municipalities need to work closely with the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) in the unfolding process of the ward configuration.
“All 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape are expected to take part in the MUNIMEC. Some key sector departments, and local government eco-system partners, are also invited to attend the MUNIMEC that will take place at Springbok Guest Farm (Springbok, Namakwa District) on 19 February 2025,” said Vass.
Picture: Environmental Health Practitioners inspecting some of tuckshops
By REGINALD KANYANE
31 January 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass encourages all Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), spaza shops owners and other food-handling convenience stores across the Northern Cape to register their businesses by the extended deadline of 28 February 2025. Vass said those who would lime to register, they should approach their local municipalities across the province.
“Those who have registered their businesses and have duly received their registration acknowledgment, still need to undertake a further process to obtain their trading licenses. For this process, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) and other regulatory authorities will still inspect registered food-related trading businesses to ensure that these businesses are eligible to trade.
“The government will continue to implement the action plan across all its spheres to address the crisis of foodborne illnesses and the illicit trade of goods across the province,” he said.
Vass applauded businesses that have already approached their municipalities across the province to register their businesses in line with the address by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa on 15 November 2024. He further said in the address to the nation following the deaths of children due to food-borne illnesses, amongst measures adopted by the government, Ramaphosa outlined a key compliance intervention on the regulation of spaza shops.
Vass added: “We plead with all businesses that have not yet registered to heed the call and to comply with the requirements to register no later than 28 February 2025. This will assist the government to better support this important sector of the economy and ensure that we preserve lives.
“South Africans who are landlords are also prohibited by law, not to register businesses on behalf of illegal foreign nationals. Any South African who has been found to have fraudulently registered a business on behalf of an illegal foreign national will face the might of the law.”
He said the multi-disciplinary inspections to strengthen adherence to legal frameworks governing trade and food safety across the Northern Cape are continuing. Vass said the government is committed to safeguarding public safety and preventing future outbreaks through sustainable practices and partnerships.
Picture: The North West MEC for Corporative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisialong with newly appointed members/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
23 January 2025- The North West MEC for Corporative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has welcomed new members of the North West Rental Housing Tribunal at a ceremony in Mahikeng recently. The appointment follows the end of the three year term for the previous members who served from 2021.
Molapisi said the Rental Housing Tribunal is established in terms of the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999, and is responsible for resolving complex rental issues across the North West and also facilitate conflict resolution, as well as establishing sound relations between tenants and landlords in the rental sector. He further congratulated the members and wished them well in their new responsibilities.
“Our department will utilise their expertise in resolving conflicting issues between landlords and tenants and avoid any unfair practices within the rental sector and many others. We also encourage the members to work as a team and called on the members to work across the clock as conflicts happen from time to time.
“We urge the members to avoid unnecessary postponement of cases due to the cost containment that the department is faced with. However, we assure them that they will have departmental support and that I have confidence in them in handling challenges that they will be confronted with during their three year term,” said Molapisi said.
He added that, the new members will be led by Kagiso Mike Khaoue as Chairperson. Molapisi said Khaoue assured him and the department that, they will strive to ensure they deliver as per their mandate, as well as to comply with all the prescripts of the law.
Khauoe said: “The Tribunal sets out guidelines to be followed when parties enter into a rental agreement. The body is again tasked to promote stability in the rental housing sector by resolving disputes that may arise from time to time.
“Issues such as house rules set out by landlords, receipts for rental payments, services cut-offs’ without a court order, withholding of tenants possessions, overcrowding and subletting, exploitative rents, service charges and damage to property are general conflicts that cause disputes between the landlords and tenants. Such challenges are mostly resolved through the Rental Housing Tribunal.”
Meanwhile, other members of the Tribunal include Advocate Matshidiso Mogale as Deputy Chairperson, Goitsemodimo Seleka, Bafedile Shuping and Attorney Tlotlo Kegakilwe.
Picture: The embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality
By BAKANG MOKOTO
21 January 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi is set to meet with all the councillors of the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality.
According to Molapisi spokesperson, Lerato Gambu, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the support provided to the municipality in line with Section 154 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which dictates that national government and provincial governments, by legislative and other measures, must support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to manage their own affairs, to exercise their powers and to perform their functions.
Gambu said the meeting will be convened at the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality offices at 2pm.
Following the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality spokesperson, Pius Batsile said the municipal council held a special council sitting on 17 January 2025, and Mazwi Moruri was unanimously elected as the new mayor of Ditsobotla Local Municipality after the removal of Thabo Nkashe, through a motion of no confidence.
“In the same breath, Rasupang Mooketsi was duly appointed as the acting Municipal Manager effective immediately following a council’s decision to place Olaotswe Bojosinyane on special leave pending the review of the MEC’s court application regarding his appointment as Municipal Manager.
Meanwhile, the suspended Municipal Manager, Olaotswe Bojosinyane sent a letter to all employees saying that, the municipal speaker decided to continue with an irregularly convened council sitting, despite the content of his letter dated 15 January 2025.
“Having noted the impact and the potential to cause political and administrative disruptions. We continue to condemn the delinquent, delusional, and mediocrity paranoia displayed by the Speaker by adjoining the irregular sitting and went on to convene bogus council sitting after he adjourned irregular council.
“Furthermore, all union affiliates and employees are advised to keep calm, despite grandiose delusional disorder displayed on 17 January 2025, bogus council sitting, though its decision will cause financial implications to the institution,” he said.
Bojosinyane said they are convinced that employees are not agitated by such decisions and will be calm, while alternative processes are followed by the affected and aggrieved parties to this regard. He added that they hope this will sit well with them and their extreme calmness will be highly appreciated.
9 January 2025- The North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), working together with Municipal Disaster Centres, remains on high alert for incidents of disaster across the province. This comes as disaster management teams are on the ground conducting needs and impact assessment following heavy rainfall that affected many parts of the province and damaged infrastructure, properties and possessions.
The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said the province has experienced heavy rainfall in the past few days and the district municipalities that were largely affected included Bojanala Platinum and Ngaka Modiri Molema.
Molapisi further said both formal and informal houses were damaged by the heavy rains, including municipal infrastructure such as culverts, roads and bridges. He added that Kromkuil Bridge in Moretele has collapsed, scores of houses in Moretele, Rustenburg, JB Marks, Ditsobotla, Ratlou and Mahikeng Local Municipalities were flooded.
“Roofs of houses at Mokgola in Ramotshere Moiloa and Ledig in Moses Kotane were blown away. Mud houses at Moshwaneng in Ratlou Local Municipality, were affected and faced possibilities of collapsing. Public amenities such as hospitals, clinics and schools were also not spared.
“Lehurutshe Hospital, Moses Kotane Hospital in Ledig and General Delarey in Lichtenburg are some of those which were affected. Bogosi Clinic and Primary School in Moretele was also water-logged,” said Molapisi.
He said mop-up operations are underway to bring all affected facilities back to full operation. Molapisi said upon receiving reports on disaster incidents, he directed coordination on the ground to assist affected residents and communities across the province.
“The provincial preparedness and response contingency plan have been developed and are being implemented. Various sector departments and municipalities have been briefed and activated in line with their roles and responsibilities, and they use their own resources to respond to emergencies/disasters incidents.
“The National Department of Human Settlement provided Temporary Residential Units (TRU’s) for damaged houses in the province. The affected departments will reprioritise their budget to address the pressure created by the flood disaster incidents,” he said.
Molapisi has directed sector departments and municipalities to budget for proactive disaster management activities to avert some of the disaster incidents.
“As part of the long-term intervention, municipalities must on an on-going basis maintain road infrastructures and storm water drainage systems to reduce flooding.
“The Department of Public Works and Roads in collaboration with municipalities will repair damaged roads, bridges and culverts and the Department of Human Settlements will repair all affected RDP houses,” said Molapisi.
He said municipalities must incorporate disaster risk reduction into development planning (IDP’s) and they must also develop bylaws and their enforcement strategy thereof. Molapisi said the department and PDMC will continue to coordinate sectors to ensure safer and disaster-resilient communities in the province.
“The department is also working with South African Weather Service (SAWS) for issuance of severe weather early warnings to role-players and communities.
“SAWS predicts that the province will still experience above-normal rainfall throughout the autumn season,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Development and SASSA profiled affected families and a Social Relief of Distressed grant was provided. The Al-IMAAD and Gift of the Givers organisations provided humanitarian relief in some affected areas, including Ditsobotla.
They included hygiene packs, blankets, food parcels and mattresses. The Red Cross donated 100 blankets to Bojanala District Disaster Management Centre. In most of the areas in the province, the blocked drainage system is to be blamed for flooding.
The Guardian 