The North West Provincial Legislature’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of interference involving Clifton J Groep has recommended that possible cases of perjury uncovered during its hearings be referred to the National Director of Public Prosecutions for further considerat...
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of interference involving Clifton J Groep has recommended that possible cases of perjury uncovered during its hearings be referred to the National Director of Public Prosecutions for further consideration.
Addressing the media in Mahikeng on Thursday, committee chairperson Nathan Oliphant confirmed that the committee had entered the deliberation phase of its investigation after concluding months of public hearings into allegations involving members of the North West Provincial Legislature and the Naledi Local Municipality mayor.
The Ad Hoc Committee was established under Rule 186 of the Standing Rules of the North West Provincial Legislature to investigate allegations of interference against members of the legislature by Groep.
Oliphant said the committee received an analysis report from its legal team, led by senior counsel Pule Seleka, outlining “multiple contradictions” in witness testimonies presented during the hearings process.
According to the committee, the legal report identified possible instances of perjury arising from conflicting evidence provided by several witnesses who testified before the inquiry.
“Following deliberations on the contents of the report, the Committee adopted the report with recommended amendments arising from its deliberative processes,” Oliphant said.
The investigation, which began in November 2025, heard testimony from a wide range of witnesses, including current and former municipal officials, provincial government representatives and political figures connected to the matter.
Those who appeared before the committee included former Naledi Local Municipality municipal manager Modisenyane Thompson Segapo, former director of corporate services Thabo Appolus and North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi.
The hearings were held at the Sun City Convention Centre and streamed publicly on the legislature’s Facebook platform as part of efforts to ensure transparency and public participation.
Oliphant stressed that the committee’s work had been guided by principles of fairness, impartiality and natural justice, adding that the next phase of proceedings would focus on finalising procedural processes and recommendations before reporting back to the House.
This was originally posted on The North West Provincial Legislature Facebook page
The Premier Dr. Zamani Saul, together with Members of the Executive Council and the Chairperson of the Northern Cape Provincial House of Traditional and KhoisSan Leaders Kgosi Pelonomi Toto have today met with leaders of the KhoiSan in the Northern Cape.
The meeting was convened by Premier Saul in an effort to strengthen relations between the Provincial Government and the KhoiSan Leaders while the KhoiSan commission concludes its work.
This session was well received by the KhoiSan Leadership in attendance who saw this as a landmark re-purposing of the relationship between Government and themselves.
The Premier expressed appreciation to the KhoiSan leaders for the work that they continue to do in the various communities which they serve.
Provincial Government has made a commitment to meet bi-annually with the KhoiSan leaders.
A convicted murderer serving a life term behind bars for allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend, walks away a free man after he successfully appealed to the High Court in Mahikeng.
Johannes Demcy Dielele was convicted of the murder of his former girlfriend and mother of his child, and sentenced to life imprisonment by a lower court; however, the High Court of South Africa, North West Division, Mahikeng, found that the State had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
It was the State’s case that Dielele, who was sentenced in October 2023, shot and killed his ex-girlfriend at an outside toilet in the presence of her cousin, who accompanied her.
The cousin - being the only other eye witness of the alleged shooting incident - died before the commencement of trial in an unrelated accident.
The State’s version was that Dielele, after contacting the deceased’s mother and sister when she broke contact with him due to their relationship having broken down, drove to their home on the evening of August 4, 2018, in Verdwaal, Itsoseng.
The deceased and her cousin had gone to the outdoor toilet on his arrival, and Dielele followed them outside.
“Shortly thereafter, (the deceased’s mother and sister) heard the cousin screaming. They ran outside. The deceased’s mother saw Dielele walking backwards from the direction of the toilet towards his vehicle. She asked him what had happened; he did not respond.
“He drove off, colliding with the gate as he left. The deceased was found near the toilet with a gunshot wound to the right side of her head. She was declared dead by paramedics. The post-mortem report by Dr Maleka Samuel Letebele confirmed the cause of death as penetrating head trauma due to a gunshot to the head. The fatal projectile was discharged from a 7.65mm calibre firearm,” court documents read.
No eyewitness observed the actual shooting. Neither the deceased’s mother nor the sister saw Dielele in possession of a firearm at any time.
He was arrested some days after the incident. A 9mm pistol and three rounds of 9mm ammunition, different to the ballistic evidence of the murder weapon, were found in a school bag in the vehicle in which he was travelling.
During the trial, Dielele did not testify and called no witnesses in his defence.
The State sought to introduce the cousin’s account through hearsay evidence.
The High Court held that the balancing exercise conducted in the hearsay ruling was insufficient in that the cousin’s oral statements to the mother and sister were not contemporaneously recorded and that the cousin was under emotional stress.
Acting Deputy Judge President Andre Petersen said: “The circumstances attending the making of these statements do not provide the hallmarks of trustworthiness that would warrant their reception over the objection of an accused who cannot cross-examine the declarant… the prejudice to Dielele is severe.
“Her statement, if accurate, is the only eyewitness account placing the appellant as the shooter. The accused is unable to challenge her perception, test her proximity to the events, probe her state of mind, or expose any motive to falsify… the court a quo found that the hearsay was ‘corroborated’ by the evidence of the deceased’s mother and sister. That finding misdirected the enquiry. Corroboration must be independent evidence going to the critical fact that Dielele was the person who fired the weapon.”
Petersen, arriving at the acquittal decision, said with the hearsay excluded and the ballistic evidence positively disconnecting Dielele from the murder weapon, other inferences remain reasonably possible.
“While this evidence creates a strong suspicion, however grave, is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Petersen.
Dielele was acquitted of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The police have announced the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R17 million, following a series of coordinated nationwide operations carried out in April 2026.
The operation was led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Units, working with partner law enforcement agencies, and involved 33 raids across the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape.
Police Spokesperson Lt Col Amanda van Wyk said the police are continuing efforts to stop the sale of fake goods, which harm consumers, damage businesses, and break the law.
"These operations resulted in the seizure of large quantities of counterfeit and illicit goods, including branded clothing, sports apparel, cellphone accessories, toys, pharmaceuticals, consumables, as well as counterfeit liquor and cigarettes", van Wyk said.
"Police arrested sixteen suspects in total, of whom nine were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act, five for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act, and two for contravening the Liquor Act".
She also urged members of the public to think twice before buying counterfeit goods, warning that they are often unsafe, unregulated, and illegal.
"These products are often manufactured and distributed outside regulated systems, with no regard for quality standards, safety, or lawful trade practices.
"Legitimate manufacturers and retailers lose market share to illegal traders, leading to reduced production and job losses. Counterfeit goods infringe on the intellectual property rights of legitimate brand owners".
The police also thanked all partner departments, law enforcement agencies, and stakeholders for their continued support in fighting the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods across the country.
With less than 35 days before South Africa national football team begin their FIFA World Cup campaign against hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca, head coach Hugo Broos is still wrestling with several key selection decisions ahead of naming his preliminary squad by 11 May.
Despite securing qualification, Bafana are yet to fully settle combinations in defence, midfield and attack following an underwhelming Africa Cup of Nations campaign earlier this year.
One of Broos’ biggest concerns remains central defence, where Mbekezeli Mbokazi still lacks a fixed partner. Both Ime Okon and Siyabonga Ngezana have been tested alongside him, although experienced defender Grant Kekana could still emerge as the preferred option because of his leadership and experience.
Competition in midfield is equally intense. Bathusi Aubaas now faces a fight to secure a place in the final squad, with Siphesihle Sithole, Jayden Adams, Teboho Mokoena and Thalente Mbatha all strengthening their claims for inclusion.
Broos is also weighing up options in the creative number 10 role, where rising star Relebohile Mofokeng has been tested alongside Sipho Mbule, although Mbule is reportedly unlikely to make the final cut.
Veteran playmaker Themba Zwane has also returned to the conversation. While “Mshishi” remains one of South Africa’s most gifted attacking players, concerns over his recent form and age could influence Broos’ final decision.
According to FIFA regulations, nations must submit preliminary squads by 11 May, while final squads of between 23 and 26 players are due on 1 June. Broos is expected to announce an initial squad of between 37 and 50 players in the coming days as preparations intensify for South Africa’s return to football’s biggest stage.
This article was originally posted by THE SOUTH AFRICAN
is now set to face an impeachment process in Parliament after the Constitutional Court ruled that the National Assembly acted unlawfully when it blocked proceedings linked to the Phala Phala scandal in 2022.
In a landmark judgment delivered on Friday, the Constitutional Court declared Rule 129I of the National Assembly unconstitutional and invalid, effectively reopening the Section 89 impeachment process against the president.
The apex court also overturned Parliament’s December 2022 vote in which ANC MPs used their majority to reject an independent panel report that found Ramaphosa had a case to answer regarding serious constitutional violations linked to the theft of US$580,000 from his Phala Phala farm.
The independent panel had previously found prima facie evidence suggesting Ramaphosa may have exposed himself to a conflict of interest, conducted outside paid work and potentially violated anti-corruption laws.
By order of the court, the report must now be referred to a formal impeachment committee established under parliamentary rules, where public hearings are expected to take place.
The judgment marks a major political victory for Julius Malema and the EFF, alongside the African Transformation Movement, who challenged both the parliamentary vote and the rule that allowed MPs to halt the impeachment process before a full inquiry could begin.
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya stated that accountability lies at the heart of the Constitution and that Parliament carries a responsibility to ensure the president is properly held accountable.
The court found Rule 129I unconstitutional because it allowed MPs to effectively “gatekeep” the impeachment process before evidence could be fully tested in a transparent public hearing.
“Rule 129I subverts this requirement of transparency,” the judgment stated, adding that Parliament had terminated the process before the factual issues were publicly ventilated in a structured and comprehensive manner.
Despite the ruling, Ramaphosa’s removal is not automatic. Any recommendation for impeachment would still require support from two-thirds of the National Assembly.
In a statement issued through spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa said he respects the judgment and remains committed to the Constitution, judicial independence and the rule of law, maintaining that no person is above the law and that all allegations must follow due legal process.
This article was originally posted by Daily Maverick
![[He] maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice,” read the statement from his office.](/images/cyrij.jpg)
