The Chairperson of the North West Provincial Legislature’s Ad Hoc committee established to investigate serious allegations of improper conduct against the Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, Nathan Oliphant, said work has begun and an evidence leader appointed to help probe the matter.
Mokgosi is accused by Naledi Local Municipality Mayor John Groep of instructing a former municipal employee Thabo Apolus to alter a report concerning the appointment of the Municipal Manager, Modisenyane Segapo.
This emerged during the recent oversight visit of the Parliament’s Joint Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on the Auditor-General.
The controversy surrounding Segapo’s appointment, which was challenged by Appolus, and others stems from a March 2023 decision by the municipality to appoint him as Municipal Manager for a five-year term.
A court declared Segapo’s appointment invalid and unlawful in 2023 and ordered the municipality to re-advertise the position.
The municipality however appealed the ruling at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein where it remains unresolved.
In a statement, the provincial legislature announced that the Joint Portfolio Committees on the Premier and Finance, and the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs established the committee to be chaired by Oliphant.
“Following consultations with leaders of represented political parties, the following Members of the Legislature have been appointed to serve on the Ad Hoc Committee, Nathan Oliphant (ANC), Chairperson, Tebogo Modise (ANC), Paul Sebegoe (ANC), Kgalalelo Makgokgowa (ANC), Ofentse Moema (EFF), Christiaan Jacobus Steyl (DA), Lerato Tsholo (MKP), who will represent all minority parties in the Legislature, including the Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, and uMkhonto weSizwe Party,” said Oliphant.
Oliphant said that the committee has officially commenced its work and has appointed Advocate Pule Seleka SC as evidence leader, who met with the committee members on Friday.
“The public will be kept informed of all developments, because as of Monday, October 13, the evidence leader will begin meeting with witnesses in preparation for the committee’s work. The committee aims to complete its work by the end of November 2025. However, depending on administrative challenges, there may be a need to request an extension until January 2026,” explained the chairperson.
Meanwhile, political parties represented at the legislature have welcomed the establishment of the ad hoc committee, calling it a ‘sign of maturity and accountability,’ consistent with the rule of law and democratic principles.
Parties have also called for the committee to be allowed space and time to investigate the matter.
“It is crucial that such serious allegations are investigated with transparency rather than being swept under the carpet. We further urge that ANC internal politics should not be allowed to influence the work of the committee. The people of the North West deserve an unbiased, fair, and independent process that upholds the integrity of our democratic institutions,” pleaded the parties.
