Tag Archives: the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance

Invocation of Section 139(1)(a) at Mamusa     

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Picture: The embattled Mamusa Local Municipality 

By REGINALD KANYANE 

11 July 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi has expressed deep concern after disruptions at a meeting meant to officially communicate the invocation of Section 139(1)(a) of the Constitution at Mamusa Local Municipality as resolved by the Provincial Executive Council.

In an unprecedented turn of events, community members demanded to meet Molapisi directly reporting alleged failure by council to follow due process in the appointment of senior officials and a lack of service delivery amongst others. 

Molapisi further said he takes a ‘dim view’ and strongly condemns actions by community members. He added that although disappointed by the disruption, he still chose to listen to the community’s concerns. 

“We urge them to allow the Department of COGTA to do its work and help fix the problems. In respect of matters currently before the court, including the reappointment of the Municipal Manager, we urge the community to allow due legal process to take its course, await outcomes and respect courts systems. 

“An urgent meeting with councillors will be convened within seven days to address outstanding issues. In light of today’s events, I am more determined to carry out the Provincial Executive Council’s decision. The decision of EXCO will be communicated to the council and implemented without fail,” said Molapisi.

IMATU branch secretary in Schweizer Reneke, David Motswana said as the union, they welcome the decision. Motswana said two days ago, municipal employees embarked on a protest over unpaid salaries. 

“It is not for the first time that municipal employees go months without getting their salaries. However, some municipal employees embarked on a protest because they do not want the legitimate Municipal Manager, Rantsho Gincane in the cocoon,” he said.

SAMWU branch secretary, Lebogang Tutubalang shared the same sentiments. Tutubalang said: “You will remember that Section 139(1)(a) of the South African Constitution allows a provincial government to intervene in a municipality when it fails to fulfill its executive obligation. 

“This intervention involves issuing a directive to the municipal council, instructing them on how to meet their responsibilities. So, we will not stand in the way of MEC to implement a mechanism to ensure the municipality upholds its constitutional and legal duties.”

Tutubala said the implementation was done after analysis and they welcome that. 

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‘Situation in Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality is deeply concerning’

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Picture: The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Oageng  Molapisi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

30 June 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Oageng  Molapisi said he has noted the statement issued by the Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) regarding the state of governance in the Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality. Molapisi said he agrees with the committee that the continued failure by the municipal council to elect a mayor is a “clear violation of governance norms, with serious implications for oversight, service delivery, and accountability.”

He said he also supports the permanent appointment of the mayor for municipal governance stability. Molapisi further said during the invocation of Section 139(1)(a), he had directed the municipality to finalize the election of the mayor.

“Although notable progress and commitment on the side of the administration since the invocation of Section 139(1)(a), the situation in Kagisano-Molopo is deeply concerning and cannot be ignored. The residents of the municipality deserve effective, accountable leadership and a council that upholds the rule of law and serves the public interest.

“In addition to the report to be submitted by the Speaker of Council as directed by SCOPA, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will send a senior delegation to Kagisano-Molopo in the coming week to engage with the municipal council, provide legal guidance, and ensure that the municipality urgently complies with the legislative requirements for the election of a mayor or acting mayor,” he added.

Molapisi thanks SCOPA for its vigilant oversight and reiterates his department’s commitment to clean governance, ethical leadership, and the urgent restoration of the rule of law across all municipalities in the province.

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Molapisi commits to advancing housing for Military Veterans

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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.

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Molapisi assess progress in the Redirile Housing Project

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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.

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MuniMEC promotes cooperative governance and institutionalisation of the DDM

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Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

16 April 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi has underscored MuniMEC as a critical platform aimed at promoting cooperative governance, intergovernmental collaboration, coordinated policy implementation and institutionalisation of the District Development Model (DDM). Molapisi delivered the keynote address at the inaugural meeting held recently and attended by Executive Mayors, Mayors and Senior Managers across three spheres of government.

He further said the MuniMEC convened under the theme: “Every Municipality Must Work”, brought together leadership from municipalities, oversight institutions, strategic partners and traditional authorities to reimagine local government and address systemic challenges, improve financial accountability and ensure service excellence. Molapisi added that the MuniMEC session is more than a meeting.

“It is a collective recommendation to serve our people with integrity, urgency and accountability. It marks a new chapter of renewed focus and determination to address non-compliance, infrastructure backlogs, fiscal instability, and the rollout of critical human settlement and sanitation programmes.

“Amongst key issues discussed during the session was the persistent non-compliance with legislation governing the recruitment and selection of senior municipal managers, Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) expenditure per municipality, the importance of developing credible budgets and management of debt,” said Molapisi.

He said the session also highlighted underperformance of MIG by some municipalities and resolved that the affected municipalities must develop recovery plans. Molapisi maintained that poor expenditure of infrastructure grants by municipalities is unacceptable.

“We have municipalities that do not spend on their grants funding, yet our communities are still without clean water, decent homes and access roads. This is not just unfortunate – it is intolerable. It is a betrayal of our people’s constitutional rights.

“Appointments of Senior Managers against the guiding policies and regulations are a travesty of justice, it undermines professionalism and fuels governance instability,” he said.

Molapisi said municipalities must align with all prescribed regulations, or risk continued dysfunction and costly litigation.

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Molapisi launches Clean Cities campaign

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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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Vass embark on oversight visit to Sol Plaatje Municipality

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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

Molapisi appoints new acting NWHC Board

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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.

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Molapisi calls for the institutionalisation of DDM

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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.
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Housing project to be rolled out in Moshawane

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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.

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