Tag Archives: the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance

Junior employees are more qualified than senior managers at some municipalities in North West 

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

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

11 February 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said they are bringing detailed key interventions aimed at improving the state of municipalities in general and enhancing service delivery in particular. Molapisi said they had a productive service delivery interventions workshop with the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality.

He further said there are challenges at the municipality and admitted that, it made headlines more than any other municipality in the province. Molapisi said the role of his department is succinctly as explained on Section 40 of Chapter 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. 

“The three spheres of government (national, provincial, and local sphere) are distinctive, interdependent, and interrelated. Section 41 explains principles of co-operative government and intergovernmental relations and the Constitution directs all spheres of government to exercise their powers and perform their functions in a manner that does not encroach on the geographical, functional, or institutional integrity of another sphere.

“The reason I am explaining this is for you members of the media to understand that local government is another sphere of government, governed by legislation, and sometimes, as either provincial or national government, we cannot impose some of the decisions on councils,” he said.

Molapisi said, however, they have an obligation in terms of Section 154 of the Constitution to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to manage their affairs, to exercise their powers, and to perform their functions. He said out of 22 municipalities, at least 8 are currently under mandatory intervention in terms of Section 139 (5) (a) and (c) of the Constitution read together with Section 139 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) due to poor financial management. 

“The Provincial Treasury has appointed Provincial Executive Representatives for three years. These municipalities are Ditsobotla, Kgetlengrivier, Madibeng, Ramotshere Moiloa, Maquassi Hills, Tswaing, Naledi Local Municipalities and the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. 

“Out of 22 municipalities (both local and district municipalities), only Bojanala Platinum District, Lekwa Teemane, Mamusa, and Tswaing do not have substantive Municipal Managers,” said Molapisi.

He said the department has however, seconded acting Municipal Managers at Kagisano Molopo, Mamusa, Tswaing Local Municipalities and Bojanala District Municipality as per the request of the respective councils. Molapisi said by law, the council can resolve to request the MEC of Local Government to second an acting Municipal Manager.

“We are implementing the Local Government Turnaround Strategy that focuses on four areas such as Leadership, Governance, and Administration, Financial Management, Service delivery and Fund Mobilization and Leveraging. 

“As part of the Local Government Turn Around Strategy, we have developed an early warning system to improve service delivery in the form of a dashboard to monitor municipal performance and reporting,” he said.

Molapisi said they have also completed the skills audit for municipalities and the sole purpose was to assess the current competencies and capabilities of the municipal workforce across various units and to identify the skills gap.

“Through the audit, municipalities were able to identify the current skills of their employees and the skills gap as it revealed that in some municipalities, employees in lower-level positions are overqualified, while managers in some municipalities do not possess the necessary qualifications and competencies relevant to their positions.

“The audit report recommended that municipalities must develop targeted education and training programs or recruitment strategies to ensure the entire workforce has the necessary capabilities to undertake their duties and impact positively in the provision of services,” he said.  

Molapisi said municipalities such as Bojanala, have registered an improvement for 2023/2024 and 2022/2023 audit outcomes. He said Bojanala Platinum District Municipality moved from qualified to unqualified, Madibeng from adverse to qualified, and Naledi from adverse to qualified audit opinion.

“Two districts and one local municipality, namely Bojanala Platinum, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, and Moretele Local Municipality, received unqualified audit opinions. Twelve local and one district municipalities received qualified audit opinions, and they are Kgetlengrivier, Madibeng, Moses Kotane, Rustenburg, Matlosana, JB Marks, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Greater Taung, Naledi, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Mahikeng, Ramotshere Moiloa, and Tswaing.

“Maquassi Hills and Mamusa received adverse audit opinions whilst Ditsobotla, Ratlou, and Lekwa Teemane received disclaimer audit opinions. Ten municipalities, namely, Maquassi Hills, City of Matlosana, Madibeng, Kgetlengrivier, Ditsobotla, Lekwa Teemane, Naledi, Tswaing, Mamusa, and Ramotshere Moiloa, were assisted with the application to National Treasury to participate on the programme of Municipal Debt Relief in line with MFMA Circular 123 and 124,” said Molapisi.

He said the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) expenditure as of the end of December 2024 was 41% of the total allocation of R2,1 billion. Molapisi said six municipalities are performing beyond average and have passed the 60% mark of their allocation in terms of expenditure for the end of December 2024:

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Molapisi to address challenges at embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality  

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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.

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Molapisi prioritises service delivery despite budget cut

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Picture: North West MEC COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

7 October 2024- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said the Presidential District Development Model (PDDM) programme, remains key in delivering services to the province.

Molapisi who delivered keynote address during his departmental strategic planning session in Rustenburg recently said, coordination of services among departments and other spheres of government is critical and most services require more integration from the beginning until the end.

He further said provision of services such as water, sewer, houses and many other, which remain a serious challenge to communities are priorities. Molapisi added that the DDM is the most viable tool at their disposal to address some of the challenges that they deemed as shortcomings within human settlement.

“We must work closely with provincial government departments, districts and local municipalities, to address issues such as poor maintenance of infrastructure and inadequate bulk, poor implementation and limited community engagements and population growth, which leads to the mushrooming of informal settlements.

“However, working together will lead to increase in us fulfilling our mandate of providing habitable human settlements for the people of the North West. I would like to acknowledge my departmental performance during the 6th administration and I remain hopeful that we will emerge victorious under this capable team,” he said.

According to Molapisi, assessing the work done in the previous five years, he is convinced that there is determination from all employees within his department. He said this will assist them to realise the vision and mission of his department.

“The current conjecture (GNU), places the department at the epicentre of ensuring that we lead to improved living conditions through the provision of integrated sustainable human settlement in the province.

“We are therefore all required to place our skills and expertise to realise this objective. Some areas require our immediate intervention. However, I am disappointed about the state of infrastructure in the province, especially blocked projects,” said Molapisi.

He said the recent report by the visiting National Council of Province (NCOP), should be corrected before November 2024. Molapisi said the committee expressed disappointment at incomplete projects and further called on the department to remedy the situation and deliver habitable homes to deserving beneficiaries.

“We also focused on other key departmental service delivery programmes such as the progress recorded in areas like Deelpan village, which was hit by two devastating floods in the past two years.

“We looked into developments in Moretele and the upcoming ministerial visit to the province in the next two weeks. I am happy that managers remained confident that the department will achieve its mandate, despite cut in budget.  

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A complete paradigm shifts necessary to achieve mandate of COGTA

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Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi addressing the CoGTA Strategic Planning Session/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE

2 October 2024- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, addressed the start of the three-day Strategic Planning Session held in Mahikeng. Speaking at the strategic planning session, which coincided with 100 days of the 7th administration, Molapisi called for a paradigm shift from managers towards achieving the mandate of the department.

“We call on all officials to build on the work done over the years to restore the dignity of the institution, accelerate pro-poor service delivery and rural development.

“We also advised managers to discuss ways to improve departments’ audit status from consecutive unqualified opinions to a clean audit outcome; use of available performance information of municipalities to inform a strategy to support improved municipal audit outcomes and focus on research and innovation for solutions,” he said.

Molapisi further called on the administration to take the lead in ensuring that the District Development Model (DDM) is institutionalised across all municipalities. He added that leaving this session, they must have aligned their strategic plans with available resources, driving development and growth.

“We must prioritise the people on the ground at all material times. Our department must focus on the three key priorities as outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029, with specific focus on building an ethical and developmental state,” he said.

Molapisi added that they need a renewed determination and a realistic plan to improve the delivery of basic services and bring stability to local government.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NWHTKL), Kgosi Thari Maotwe, senior officials led by the Head of Department (HOD), Dr Ben Bole, SALGA and other stakeholders, were amongst attendees.

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Strategic measures in place to strengthen municipalities

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

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi has announced decisive measures to improve governance and financial management across all municipalities in the province. 

During the tabling of the Departmental Budget Speech for the 2024/2025 financial year at North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) in Mahikeng, Molapisi said several key initiatives aimed at enhancing municipal administration, integrity and financial health.

He further said to strengthen municipal governance, the department issued a directive last year to all municipalities to fill all senior management and critical vacant posts.

“Out of the 22 municipalities in the province, only Madibeng and Lekwa-Teemane, are yet to appoint Municipal Managers. This process is receiving the highest priority to ensure effective municipal administration. 

“In pursuit of a clean administration, a training programme on Municipal Integrity Management Framework (MIMF) will be rolled out to councillors, officials and community members. The MIMF sets high standards of integrity and ethical behaviour, guiding municipalities in conducting their services,” said Molapisi.

He added that the initiative aims to restore public confidence in local government, ensuring no one is left behind. Molapisi indicated that municipalities have significantly contributed to Eskom’s financial challenges, currently owing the power utility R5.4 billion.

“To tackle this issue, the department, in partnership with the Provincial Treasury, has facilitated a programme on debt relief for municipalities. 

“This initiative has assisted municipalities in meeting their contractual obligations with Eskom. The municipalities involved in this program include Madibeng, Kgetlengrivier, Maquassi Hills, Ramotshere Moiloa, Ditsobotla, Naledi, Tswaing, Mamusa, Lekwa Teemane and Matlosana”, he said. 

Molapisi announced that the department has implemented a robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism. He said they have also introduced revenue enhancement policy interventions to help municipalities improve revenue collection and meet their credit obligations.

“These interventions will be closely monitored to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability. The department will continue to provide capacity support to municipalities, ensuring they prepare Annual Financial Statements (AFS) in accordance with the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA). 

“The department will also continue to empower committees such as the Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPAC) through various interventions, to strengthen and enhance their effectiveness,” said Molapisi.

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North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi calls on his management to address service delivery challenges

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

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi has challenged management in both the Departments of Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to address service delivery challenges faced by communities in the province.

Molapisi has already started engagements with the National Department of Human Settlements and the Provincial Treasury to assist with sufficient budget in order to implement Human Settlements responsibilities.

“Our position must be clear and concise in order for us to be in a better position to drive our vision and mission and this will require us to engage openly on the capacity we have to meet the objectives of the 7th administration.

“We echoing the message of North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi during his inauguration acceptance speech that, we are duty bound to devote ourselves to the preamble of the constitution, which commits them to heal the diversions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights,” he said.

Molapisi further urged the executive management of both departments to develop a road map that seeks to respond to Mokgosi’s pronouncements. He also emphasized that this road map must be clear in addressing their major indicator of restoring the dignity of the people of the province.

“Whilst there is enormous improvement registered on the eradication of blocked projects, on top of the list should be the priorities that they have committed ourselves to eradicate mud houses and asbestos roofs.

“These pronouncements were made during Human Settlements Summit. We will also assess our performance regarding the 40% target set aside for women owned companies. Provide updates on backlogs, including those on the Military Veterans Housing Programme,” said Molapisi.

Moreover, he added that the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs needs to strengthen its internal capacity in order to support municipalities and traditional leaders.

He emphasised the need to regularly meeting with the mayors and relevant stakeholders in order to deal with some of the challenges at local government level, whilst he indicated that Ditsobotla Local Municipality is receiving the necessary attention.

“Our communities want service delivery and expect nothing less. With regards to traditional affairs, we will have an engagement session with the Executive Committee of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, to discuss issues affecting traditional leaders,” said Molapisi.

Meanwhile the Head of Department, Kgomotso Mahlobo also took an opportunity to acknowledge and thank the former North West MEC, Nono Maloyi for his sterling leadership during his tenure and further congratulated and welcomed Molapisi, who is equal to the task as a leader and assured him of the support and commitment of the entire management and staff of the department.

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Unblocking of housing projects delight beneficiaries

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Picture: Some of the beneficiaries during the hand over/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi said the process of unblocking housing projects across the province is unfolding. Maloyi said the commitment was made during the first and the second phase of Thuntsha Lerole, which is an Accelerated Service Delivery Program.

“The community of Ventersdorp is one of many that continues to receive houses on a daily basis as contractors are on the ground completing projects that were blocked due to challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The housing project in Ventersdorp consists of 360 units, which started in 2019 at Toevlug. The project could not be completed because of the wetland and other construction challenges,” he said.

Maloyi further said they have also handed over eight title deeds to the community of Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom. He added that the remaining 801, will be collected by residents at municipality offices.

“Our department is implementing a title deeds restoration project in collaboration with the National Department of Human Settlements, with the aim to eradicate the current backlog in the transfer of pre-1994 properties into the names of beneficiaries,” he said.

Maloyi said the handing over of houses and title deeds formed part of Thuntsha Lerole, Accelerated Service Delivery Programme held in Ventersdorp in the JB Marks Local Municipality, where Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembisile Nkadimeng, Minister of Unemployment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla, MECs and Heads of Departments (HoD) where part.

“Government is committed to delivering services to everyone in the province. We do this as it is according to the contract we signed with the people of the North West. Through the Thuntsha Lerole programme, we are more determined to fast track the delivery of services to every community in the province. We do this because we are a caring government,” said Maloyi.

Meanwhile, amongst beneficiaries were a widower, Morageng Seleka (72), who lives with his four children and two grandchildren. Seleka has been staying in Ikageng Township for over 20 years.

“I am happy that my children have a home,’’ he said.

Another beneficiary, Abel Jonkers (90), who is a grandfather of two, shared the same sentiments. Jonkers could not contain his emotions when he received the keys to his house.

“I am now happy that my dream of having a house of my own has come true.  I come from Rietfontein Farms and stay with my two unemployed grandchildren and one great grandchild. My family survives through social grants money.

“I am happy that I have a decent home where I am going to live happily with my children. I would like to thank the department for their good gesture,” he said.

Mmamokete Molusi (71), who is also a beneficiary, said she comes from Kliplaasdrift Farm and stays with her two grandchildren and one grandchild. Molusi said they also depend on social grants for survival.

“I am grateful that the department gave me the house of which I have been waiting for,” she said.   

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The Greater Taung Local Municipality in financial distress

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Picture: The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality  

By OBAKENG MAJE 

Various political parties at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), alleged that they know nothing about the invocation of Section 139 (1) (a). On 19 January 2024, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi, introduced Section 139 (1) (a) after instability. 

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillor in Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Mmoni Letele said, as the municipal council, they do not know anything about invocation of Section 139 (1)(a). Letele further said, there is no Section 139 (1)(a) that will be introduced and implemented without following proper measures. 

“I was so surprised to hear that, the North West Head of Department of North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Ben Bole had a meeting with the municipal employees, instead of engaging the municipal council regarding the invocation of Section 139 (1)(a). 

“They have never met with the municipal council. So, from where we stand, the invocation of Section 139 (1) (a) at the municipality is non-existence,” she said.

Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) councillor, Mika Moeti, shared the same sentiments. Moeti alleged that the municipality is in financial crisis. 

“What is needed is a forensic investigation because the municipality is in a financial crisis. Imagine, five years ago, the municipality’s investment accounts had R500 million. But in 2021, the account only had R100 million. 

“We must be honest to our people and tell them the truth. If the municipal council is serious, it must sit in a meeting and call for a forensic investigation. We need to know what really happened to the money that has been depleted,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bole refuted the allegations and said there has been positive progress at the municipality since the invocation of Section 139 (1) (a). 

“The Executive Council of the North West has taken a decision to invoke Section 139 (1) (a) at the municipality. This was to give the municipality directives and they were communicated to the municipal council by Maloyi.  

“Basically, that invocation was as a result of instability at the municipality. The municipal council dismally failed to meet its obligations. The municipal council was dysfunctional and as a result, the EXCO took a decision after Maloyi made a presentation before it,” he said. 

Bole further said they have given the municipality directives and they are monitoring them on a monthly basis. He added that they have received the first report and there is a sturdy process. 

“Since last year, the municipal council has failed to sit for council meetings, where it was supposed to take decisions in addressing service delivery challenges. One of the issues that the municipal council was supposed to do, is with regard to appointment of the senior managers. 

“However, there was back and forth and that triggered Maloyi to bring intervention. It is not only that, but before the EXCO invoke Section 139 (1)(a), Maloyi convened a meeting with the municipal council to try and deal with the situation,” said Bole. 

He said, however, it became very clear that Maloyi needed to elevate this matter before the EXCO in order to have a decisive action taken. Bole said Maloyi introduced Section 139 (1)(a) not for impunity measures, but corrective measures to crack the dysfunctional of the municipality,” said Bole.

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