Tag Archives: The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development

North West MEC, Bitsa Lenkopane’s ‘bad’ behaviour under scrutiny after ‘attacking’ SCOPA members  

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Picture: The The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane

By OBAKENG MAJE

13 February 2025- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane is under scrutiny after she allegedly attacked the Members of Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in North West.

The Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA), Smuts Matshe, who condemned the alleged behaviour of Lenkopane, said she opted to abuse her presence at a Scopa meeting convened on 12 February 2024, in Schweizer Reneke, to process the 2023/24 Audit Report of the North West Parks and Tourism Board by attacking Members of the Provincial Public Accounts Committee.

Matshe said the previous day, 11 February 2025, Lenkopane was scheduled to appear before the committee with the department and all its entities, but unfortunately the North West Parks and Tourism Board, failed to attend. He further said the committee resolved that the absence of the North West Parks and Tourism Board from the session is unacceptable and within 24 hours, the entity should present its report, hence the meeting that was held on Wednesday.

“The presentation from the North West Parks and Tourism Board failed to respond to all written pre-submitted questions of the committee. The committee then directed that since there was no report to be engaged, the Board must submit a proper report within seven days.

“I was surprised by the behaviour of Lenkopane towards the conclusion of the meeting as she attacked almost all Members of the Committee, accusing them of having vested interests in the entity,” said Matshe.

He added that, the Members of the Committee had not even put forward their views since there was no report to engage.

“An attack on Members of the Committee was the last thing one expected from a Member of the Executive Council. To even accuse members of being conflicted is not only being arrogant but disrespectful to the work of the Legislature.

“I am satisfied that none of the Members of the Committee were ever employed or deployed to oversee the North West Parks and Tourism Board for the period under review (2023/24) and therefore there should be nothing stopping them from carrying out their work as Members of the Legislature,” said Matshe.

He said the conduct of Lenkopane appears to be an attempt to intimidate and silence Members of the Committee from effectively playing their oversight role. Matshe said Lenkopane has no authority to direct SCOPA or any of its members on any matter, including how they must process reports from her department or its entities.

“Lenkopane should be advised that there is no credibility crisis regarding MPLs elected to serve in different committees. The view of the committee is that the conduct of Lenkopane is quite unfortunate, unlawful and at best immoral.

“I will be taking up this matter with the Political Office Bearers of the Legislature as well as relevant structures of the House to ensure that no MEC is allowed to undermine committees of the North West Provincial Legislature,” he said.

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Two white rhinos dehorned and killed by criminals

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Picture: Rhino horns

By OBAKENG MAJE

30 December 2024- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said she strongly condemns the recent rhino poaching incident that happened at Botsalano Nature Reserve over the Christmas holidays.

Lenkopane Lenkopane further condemns the barbaric deeds by perpetrators, who allegedly shot and killed two white rhinos (bull and a cow), which were previously legally dehorned by departmental conservation personnel.

She further said the carcasses of poached rhinos were discovered by field rangers, whilst conducting their routine security operational patrols in the nature reserve. Lenkopane added that, they are well aware that poaching perpetrators are taking advantage of the festive holidays to infiltrate the reserves, but they are intensifying security to prevent this criminality from happening again.

“The investigations are well underway and we are working together with all relevant law enforcement agencies. We will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of those who have carried out these evil deeds.

“Communities around the reserves are encouraged to silently observe and alert law enforcement agencies when suspicious activities are detected as some of these criminals harbour within nearby communities either before or after such crimes are committed,” she said.

Lenkopane said the police together with the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) and the Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMIs), are jointly investigating the matter with the single objective of bringing suspects to book. She said her department wishes to inform the public that the escape of two rhinos at Mafikeng Nature Reserve on 25 December 2024, is a separate incident and not related to the Botsalano rhino poaching incidents.

“Escaped rhinos were successfully driven back into the reserve by staff members on 26 December 2024,” said Lenkopane.

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North West host stakeholder engagement to advance global biodiversity agenda

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Picture: The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

30 October 2024- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane led a two-day Biodiversity Sector Stakeholder Engagement at Sun City in Rustenburg. The engagement marked a significant milestone in the 7th administration’s first 100 days in office, highlighting a strong commitment to sustainable development through biodiversity initiatives.

In her address, Lenkopane emphasized the critical role of biodiversity conservation in securing both the economic future and environmental sustainability of the province. She also highlighted the importance of preserving the province’s unique ecosystems from the lush bushveld savannas to the red sands of the Kalahari thorn-veld, positioning the province as a key destination for ecotourism.

“I am grateful to see such a strong turnout, reflecting our shared dedication to environmental stewardship. These gatherings aim to unlock economic opportunities that will bring meaningful change to our communities.

“We would like to applaud the departmental management and the entities for their commitment to this vision. The economic potential of wildlife ranching, a thriving industry since the 1960s, now worth billions of rands. With over 1,200 game farms and two UNESCO-designated biospheres the Magaliesberg and Marico, the North West province is primed to attract local and international investment, create jobs, and build sustainable industries,” said Lenkopane.

She further stressed the need for a regulatory framework to support growth while safeguarding natural resources. Lenkopane added that the key to the progress announced at the engagement is adoption of the Biodiversity Framework aimed at ensuring that biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely.

“We need to recognise that human and ecosystem sustainability requires a global target of 30% of land and sea being placed under protection by 2030.

“This working framework balances conservation with economic growth by expanding protected areas and fostering investment in biodiversity-based enterprises,” she said.

Lenkopane said the provincial government’s dedication to biodiversity is further reinforced through proposed regulatory reforms, including the North West Biodiversity Bill, aimed at creating a more supportive environment for biodiversity businesses.

                                                                                      She said this event highlights the significant role the biodiversity economy can play in tackling the socioeconomic challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

“We are strategically positioning the biodiversity sector to respond to these needs and provide sustainable, local economic benefits.     

“We also discussed the expanding market for game meat production, community-owned enterprises, and bioprospecting opportunities, all of which contribute to rural economies and support local industries,” said Lenkopane.

She said the discussions addressed the advancement of the biodiversity economy through initiatives like ecotourism development, commercialization of biodiversity assets, and sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants. Lenkopane said this aligns with the province’s commitment to transforming biodiversity into a catalyst for job creation, poverty alleviation, and economic inclusion.

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The North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane appoints NWPTB interim Board

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Picture: The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

17 September 2024- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane, has appointed an interim board for the North Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB). Lenkopane said the interim board is led by Advocate Matshidiso Mogale and is deputized by Advocate Obakeng Kgomo.

She further said the interim board is inclusive of representatives from the House of Traditional Affairs and community members from the auspices of People and Parks. Lekopane added that she issued a clear mandate to the interim board, which include amongst others, a transformation of parks in the province and the improved relations with Communal Property Relations (CPAs).

“This includes a review of associations and contracts signed with companies. I have further instructed the interim board to discontinue relations with any association that does not add any value and is financially reliant on the entity without tangible results.

“I’m concerned that the NWPTB and its subsidiaries received adverse audit opinions from the Auditor General (AG) in the last financial year. The AG emphasized matters of material misstatements, which led to the adverse audit opinion,” she said.

Lenkopane said such matters include but are not limited to poor financial controls, lack of consequence management against those who violate the policies of the entity, fruitless and wasteful expenditure. She said amongst other things, the AG recommended that she should take strong measures as the MEC to ensure accountability and good governance.

“It is within that context that I have taken the decision to appoint the interim board that is tasked with improving governance and addressing challenges which affect subsidiaries such as the Golden Leopards Resort (GLR),” said Lenkopane.

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