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.”
The Guardian 