Author: Motlhaping Modise

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Moses Kotane Province (North West) has elected Smuts Matshe as the party’s provincial secretary during its 10th elective congress, held over the weekend in Klerksdorp. Matshe takes over from Madoda Sambatha, who decided not to contest the position again. Matshe’s election comes days after the ANC stripped him of his powerful legislative role as chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA). Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Matshe said he was not aware whether the ANC’s decision to remove him as chairperson of the committee was politically motivated or whether some ANC…

The convictions of former contractor Michael Lomas and businessman Hudson Kgomoeswana over a R1.4 billion corruption scandal at Eskom’s Kusile Power Station have highlighted the financial and governance risks facing South Africa’s power utility. The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg convicted the pair on 6 August 2026 on multiple corruption, money laundering and tax charges. They pleaded guilty under plea agreements and agreed to testify as state witnesses against their remaining co-accused. For Eskom, the convictions are significant beyond the criminal proceedings. The utility is seeking to strengthen procurement oversight, internal controls and governance as part of its broader turnaround…

The ANC in North West has dismissed claims that it is purging South African Communist Party (SACP) leaders, insisting recent changes in the provincial legislature are linked to the party’s decision to contest the 2026 Local Government Elections independently. The controversy follows the removal of North West SCOPA Chairperson Smuts Matshe, who also serves as the SACP’s Provincial Chairperson, from his leadership position in the legislature. Speaking on YOU FM’s Newshour, ANC North West spokesperson Tumelo Maruping said the decision formed part of efforts to strengthen committees in the provincial legislature rather than target SACP members. “We have taken a…

The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) has condemned calls by anti-immigration groups to target, audit or disrupt public schools in an effort to remove foreign teachers from classrooms across the country. NAPTOSA Executive Director Basil Manuel described actions that threaten the safety of classrooms as completely irrational, unlawful and unacceptable, emphasising that schools must remain safe havens for learning. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Manuel said NAPTOSA does not support illegal immigration but will not encourage the forceful removal of educators from classrooms. “Are they (foreign teachers) illegal immigrants?” asked Manuel. Manuel said educators employed in the…

The North West Department of Health could face increased financial obligations after the Johannesburg Labour Court upheld a ruling compelling the payment of an 8% rural allowance to Enrolled Nurses (ENs) and Enrolled Nursing Assistants (ENAs) working in designated rural facilities. The judgment, which dismissed the department’s review application, confirms that affected nurses must receive the allowance retrospectively from April 2018. The ruling could have significant budgetary implications for the provincial health department as it assesses the financial impact of backdated payments owed to qualifying employees. The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) has welcomed the decision, saying it…

The North West Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) has achieved a historic institutional milestone by securing its first-ever clean audit from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) since the advent of democracy. The achievement follows a steady upward trajectory of six consecutive years of unqualified audit opinions. The department’s MEC, Oageng Molapisi, said the clean audit marks a significant turnaround in fiscal discipline and legislative compliance, positioning the department as a benchmark for good governance in a province that has historically faced municipal governance and administrative challenges. “This clean audit is a victory for the…

Rustenburg Local Municipality says the implementation of Phase 2 of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act is expected to significantly reduce municipal revenue, with 70% of traffic fine collections now being redirected to the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA). The municipality officially implemented the new system on 1 July 2026 after presidential proclamations designated Rustenburg as one of 62 municipalities nationwide to roll out Phase 2 of AARTO. Speaking on YOUFM Newshour, Executive Mayor Sheila Mabale-Huma said the loss of traffic fine revenue would place additional financial pressure on the municipality, which previously relied on the income…

ActionSA has officially announced its three mayoral candidates for the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections in North West. The candidates were unveiled by party president Herman Mashaba and his deputy, Dr Mbahare Kekana, during an event at Mmabatho Palms in Mahikeng on Wednesday. ActionSA’s provincial secretary and Rustenburg Local Municipality councillor Ofentse Jerremia Kombe will contest the Rustenburg municipality, while Lerato Selebogo will stand for Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality and Egorogile Matolong will contest Greater Taung Local Municipality. Speaking on YOUFM Newshour, Mashaba expressed confidence in the three candidates, saying they represented the party’s values and commitment to ethical leadership.…

More than 60,000 Impala Platinum workers are expected to return to work at the company’s Rustenburg operations in the North West on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, following an eight-day shutdown aimed at resetting underground safety systems. The temporary halt brought mining and processing operations to a standstill after two fatal incidents occurred weeks apart. Both accidents involved underground locomotives fitted with advanced safety sensors designed to prevent fatal collisions. The shutdown has come at a significant operational and financial cost to the mining company, which relied on surface stockpiles to maintain sales between Friday, 24 July and Tuesday, 28 July.…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has criticised Department of Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode after he failed to appear at a subpoena hearing into delays in processing a citizenship application. Makhode and the department’s North West Provincial Manager, Eunice Mhlanga, had been subpoenaed to appear before the Commission at its Rustenburg provincial office on Monday. However, only Mhlanga attended the hearing. The inquiry followed a complaint over prolonged delays in the processing of a citizenship application, which the SAHRC says has remained unresolved since 2022. Speaking to YOUFM Newshour, SAHRC North West Provincial Manager Shirley Mlombo said Commissioner…