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.
The Guardian 