Author: Koketso Dikobe
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has reshuffled his Executive Council in a move he says is aimed at strengthening governance, improving accountability and accelerating service delivery across the province. Mokgosi announced the changes during a media briefing in Mahikeng, saying the reshuffle is aligned with the province’s Medium-Term Development Plan and its three key priorities: promoting inclusive economic growth and job creation, reducing poverty and the cost of living, and building an ethical, capable and developmental state. The Premier said these priorities require continuous monitoring of government performance and regular assessments of provincial departments to ensure they effectively fulfil their…
A deadly illegal mining operation at a dumping site in Nkaneng, near Rustenburg, has claimed the lives of 14 suspected illegal miners, prompting a police investigation into both the fatal incident and the authorisation of the company licensed to operate in the area. North West Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Arthur Adams said the victims died after the walls of an excavated section collapsed while they were allegedly conducting illegal mining activities. The incident was reported to police at about 21:00 on Monday. Preliminary investigations have established that Sastanzer Trading had been granted a permit to extract platinum group metals (PGMs)…
The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality has deployed eight water tanker trucks as part of an emergency intervention to address persistent water supply challenges while longer-term infrastructure solutions are being implemented. The initiative represents a short-term investment aimed at strengthening water access across four local municipalities affected by unreliable supply. Each beneficiary municipality received two water tankers based on assessed service delivery needs. Speaking at the handover, Executive Mayor Councillor Motseokae Maje said the allocation was guided by the specific requirements of each municipality and formed part of the district’s broader response to ongoing water challenges. Naledi Local Municipality…
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has appointed Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams as the new North West Provincial Commissioner, placing one of the organisation’s most experienced operational commanders at the forefront of efforts to combat organised crime in the province. Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane officially introduced Adams in Mahikeng on Thursday, confirming that he will assume office on 1 August 2026. Dimpane said Adams was appointed following a transparent, merit-based selection process designed to identify a leader capable of addressing the province’s complex crime challenges. She said North West remains a key battleground in the fight…
Kaizer Chiefs have expressed confidence in their preparations for the 2026/27 football season, saying the club is ready to build on the momentum from last season as it prepares for the Toyota Cup clash against Jozi Masters at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday. Speaking ahead of the fixture, Kaizer Chiefs Corporate Communications Manager Alpheus Maphosa said the squad has enjoyed a productive pre-season, with high morale throughout the camp. He credited the arrival of the club’s new coaching team with bringing fresh ideas, tactical approaches and renewed energy as the team looks to compete at the highest level. Maphosa…
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in the North West has urged all eligible residents who have not yet registered to vote to take advantage of the second voter registration weekend on 1 and 2 August, ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. Provincial Electoral Officer Bonolo Modise said the Commission’s decision to hold another voter registration weekend was prompted by the number of eligible residents who are still not on the voters’ roll. He explained that the additional registration period is intended to give those who were unable to register during the previous registration weekend another opportunity to…
Young people attending the North West Provincial Legislature’s Youth Sectoral Parliament in Rustenburg have urged the government to address barriers preventing them from accessing higher education and entrepreneurship opportunities. The programme provides a platform for young people from across the province to engage directly with lawmakers, voice their concerns and recommend solutions to issues affecting their future. Access to higher education emerged as one of the key concerns during the discussions. Delegates highlighted the financial challenges faced by many prospective students, arguing that registration fees and other study-related costs continue to prevent deserving young people from pursuing tertiary education. They…
Two child-headed households in Ledig have received newly built homes through a partnership between the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) and Sun City as part of the Nelson Mandela Day programme. The handover formed part of the annual 67 Minutes initiative, which encourages individuals and organisations to dedicate time to community service. However, MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane, emphasised that Mandela Day should represent a lifelong commitment to restoring dignity and improving lives, rather than being a once-off event. Lenkopane described the housing project as a reflection of this…
The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management has intensified scholar transport vehicle inspections as part of preparations for the reopening of schools for the third term on Monday, 21 July 2026. The department is carrying out mandatory verification and roadworthiness inspections of all contracted scholar transport vehicles to ensure operators meet safety requirements and contractual obligations before transporting learners. Department Communication Director Oshebeng Koonyaditse said the inspections form part of the department’s service level agreement with scholar transport operators and are conducted four times a year during every school holiday. “The inspections are aimed at ensuring that…
The North West Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs has announced a major shift in its housing delivery strategy, allocating 80% of its 2026/27 housing budget to completing unfinished housing projects before launching new developments. MEC Gaoage Oageng Molapisi unveiled the new approach on Thursday while introducing the contractor appointed to deliver the 216-unit Ditshilong housing project in the Greater Taung Local Municipality. Molapisi said the decision was driven by the growing number of incomplete housing projects across the province, some of which have remained unfinished for years. “We want to complete what has already been started…