Tag Archives: Lazarus Mokgosi by the Naledi Local Municipality mayor

Ad Hoc Committee concludes its second round of hearing

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Picture: The Chairperson of the Committee, Nathan Oliphant

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

2 February 2026- The North West Provincial Legislature’s (NWPL) Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations of interference against the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi by the Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Clifton J Groep, has concluded the second round of its public hearings held at Sun City from 26 to 31 January 2026. The Ad Hoc Committee commenced its work in November 2025, during which it held the first round of hearings from 24 to 27 November 2025, and heard testimony from a number of witnesses as part of the initial phase of its mandate.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Nathan Oliphant said following the extension of the committee’s mandate by the Legislature until 31 March 2026, the committee resumed its work for the second round of hearings. Oliphant said during the second round of hearings this week, the Ad Hoc Committee heard testimony from Thabo Appolus, former Director: Corporate Services at the Naledi Local Municipality, Modisenyane Thompson Segapo, former Municipal Manager of the Naledi Local Municipality, Aobakwe Mathonsi, a member of the ANC’s Regional Executive Committee in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region and Special Advisor to the Executive Mayor of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.

“This includes Doreen Mariri, a Community Liaison Officer at the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality and Dithole Hendrick Moate, Director: Capacity Building at the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA).

“North West Premier, Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi, appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee on Saturday and concluded his testimony for the current round of hearings, with Adv Pule Seleka SC leading evidence on behalf of the Committee,” he said.

Oliphant further said Mokgosi will, however, continue to engage with the Ad Hoc Committee on 13 February 2026 and 14 February 2026, as part of the continuation of the Committee’s proceedings. He added that the committee remains committed to executing its mandate independently, impartially and without fear or favour.

“The committee’s work is guided by the principles of fairness, transparency and natural justice, and that it will consider all evidence placed before it objectively, without prejudging any party or outcome.

“We will in due course, advise on the next phases of the committee’s work, in line with the committee’s mandate and the Standing Rules of the North West Provincial Legislature. Further communication regarding the continuation of the hearings and related arrangements will be issued in due course,” said Oliphant.

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Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations levelled against North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi convene  

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Picture: Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi

By OBAKENG MAJE

11 October 2025- The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in North West said it welcomes the newly-established Ad Hoc Committee by the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL). The North West Provincial Legislature’s Joint Portfolio Committees on the Premier and Finance and the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs have established an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate allegations of improper conduct made against the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi by the Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Clifton Groep.

EFF Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Justice Dabampe said these allegations were made during the oversight visit by the National Parliament’s Joint Portfolio Committees to municipalities in the North West Province on 1-3 September 2025 held at the North West Provincial Legislature’s Auditorium.

“As the EFF, we fully support the recently established Ad Hoc Committee of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), which is looking into the allegations levelled against the Mokgosi.  

“Groep raised serious allegations against Mokgosi. We fully believe that this committee will come up with clear findings towards what happened and test these allegations. We also hope that the committee will get credible witnesses as many as possible and come up with clear recommendations without casting any aspersions on the affected parties,” he said.  

The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, Freddy Sonakile shared the same sentiments. Sonakile said they welcome the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee by the North West Provincial Legislature.

“Following the visit by the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) of the National Assembly, chaired by Zweli Mkhize, last month, the Mayor alleged that the Premier and three ANC members visited Thabo Appolus, a former employee of Naledi Local Municipality, on his farm and allegedly instructed him to alter a report concerning the appointment of the Municipal Manager, Modisanyane Segapo.

“In response, the National Assembly Committee resolved that the Legislature must conduct its own process, while the National Assembly proceeds with its own. Consequently, the North West Provincial Legislature mandated the Joint Committee on the Office of the Premier and Finance, together with the Portfolio Committee on CoGTA, to deliberate on the matter and propose a way forward,” he said.

Sonakile further said the Joint Committee subsequently recommended the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee, which the House has now adopted. He added that the Ad Hoc Committee is expected to investigate the matter and report to the House by 31 November 2025.

“The DA welcomes this resolution as a sign of maturity and accountability, consistent with the rule of law and democratic principles. It is crucial that such serious allegations are investigated with transparency rather than being swept under the carpet.

“We further urge that ANC internal politics should not be allowed to influence the work of the committee. The people of the North West deserve an unbiased, fair and independent process that upholds the integrity of our democratic institutions,” said Sonakile.

He said the North West municipalities continue to rank among the worst-performing in the country and this process presents an opportunity to uncover whether there is underlying political interference that affects governance, appointments, and service delivery at the local level. Somnakile said the DA’s representative on the Ad Hoc Committee is Chris Steyl, who will be the party spokesperson on the matter and monitor that the process is fair, transparent and free from political manipulation, in the best interests of accountability and good governance.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Committee, Nathan Oliphant said following consultations with Leaders of Represented Parties, in accordance with Rule 187 of the Standing Rules of the Legislature, the following Members of the Legislature have been appointed to serve on the Ad Hoc Committee, as per the resolution of the House sitting on 16 September 2025.

“Nathan Oliphant (ANC) – Chairperson, Tebogo Modise (ANC), Paul Sebegoe (ANC), Kgalalelo Makgokgowa (ANC), Ofentse Moema (EFF), Chris Steyl (DA) and Lerato Tsholo (MKP) – representing all minority parties in the Legislature, including the Freedom Front Plus, Action SA, and uMkhonto weSizwe Party.

“The Committee has officially commenced its work and has appointed an evidence leader, Advocate Pule Seleka SC, who met with Committee members on 10 October 2025. The public will be kept informed of all developments,” said Oliphant.

He said: “As of 13 October, the evidence leader will begin meeting with witnesses in preparation for the Committee’s work. The Committee aims to complete its work by the end of November 2025. However, depending on administrative challenges, there may be a need to request an extension until January 2026.”

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