Picture: Speaker of North West Provincial Legislature, Dr Desbo Mohono, advocate Neo Sphoti and North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
25 March 2026- The Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Dr Desbo Mohono presided over a legislature meeting of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the appointment of the Public Service Commissioner, where Advocate Neo Sephoti was introduced as the new North West Public Service Commissioner. Mohono said this follows rigorous interviewing processes of the Ad-Hoc Committee chaired by the Chief Whip of the Legislature, Motlalepula Rosho, for the position which has been vacant for over four financial years.
“Prof Mandla Makhanya has been acting as the Provincial Commissioner. Sephoti is a former Head of Department at the Department of Human Settlements and the Department of Tourism in the North West and former Corporate Affairs Manager at the South African Breweries for Central Region.
“She also brings 10 years of corporate experience, as a strategic corporate affairs leader specializing in public affairs, stakeholder relations, sustainability and communications with highly regulated industries,” she said.
Mohono further said her educational background is rooted in law having obtained a B.Juris and LLB degrees from the University of Bophuthatswana and received numerous awards and recognition for her academic achievements and leadership roles during her education. She added that the process of appointment of the North West Public Service Commissioner was not concluded by the 6th Legislature and during the 7th Legislature, the Rules Committee resolved that she should establish an Ad Hoc Committee to facilitate recruitment of the North West Public Service Commissioner.
“The establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee was done in accordance with Rule 186,187 and 188 of the Standing Rules of the Legislature and Section 196 of the Constitution. After numerous interview processes, the Ad Hoc Committee recommended the name of Sephoti for the position.
“The Provincial Public Service Commissioner serves as the oversight authority for the public service within a province, operating under the mandate of the Public Service Commission South Africa in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996,” said Mohono.
She said the role is primarily to promote good governance, accountability and high standards of professional ethics across provincial departments. Mohono said in practical terms, the Commissioner monitors and evaluates service delivery, ensuring that government programmes are implemented efficiently, economically and in line with Batho Pele principles.
“They also investigate complaints and grievances from the public and public servants, including cases of maladministration, unfair treatment, or unethical conduct. The legislature and the provincial government were excited that the processes have been completed after numerous appointment processes.
“We are very happy that finally the process has been completed and we have a women Commissioner who will ensure that public service is held accountable and the gender equity targets have been met,” she said.
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