The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for policy changes to bring about change to the country's current Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies of the ANC.
On Monday, the party slammed the current policies, which it said only benefitted a few politically-connected individuals.
T...
The death of a two-year-old child in Jan Kempdorp, Northern Cape, has sparked community outrage, with the Phokwane Local Municipality facing accusations of negligence and failing to protect residents.
The toddler, Amkhitha Dyalvane, is believed to have fallen into an open, water-filled trench left abandoned after sewer installation work was halted. Residents say the site had been unsecured for weeks, with no warning signs or barriers in place to prevent access.
Community members are now demanding accountability from the municipality with local community activist Maleke Montshiwagae expressing concern over the lack of safety measures at the trench site, stating that municipal oversight was severely lacking.
“It seems the safety protocols were completely neglected. The trenches have been left open without barricades or warning signs since 2024.
“As a concerned member of the community, I raised the issue with one of the ward committee members. They told me there had been a meeting with the contractor about the safety concerns, but no proactive steps were taken, nor was there any pressure from the municipality,” Montshiwagae
He further criticised what seems to be a lack of concern around Amkhitha’s unfortunate incident - with minimal reports surfacing to shine the spotlight on the matter.
“It’s troubling that there was no public awareness or reporting on what happened—it almost feels like there was an attempt to keep it quiet. Incidents like these must be brought into the public eye to highlight how smaller communities are often treated with disregard.
“The life of one child is already too many. There must be accountability from both the municipality and the contractor. The family deserves closure, especially given the trauma, emotional burden, and long-term psychological impact they are facing,” stressed Montshiwagae.
The bereaved mother, Deliwe Izell Cekisho-Dyalvane, says she wants justice for the death of her child. She expressed frustration over the apparent blame-shifting between the Phokwane Local Municipality and the company contracted to carry out the sewer project, accusing the municipality of denying any responsibility.
“It’s painful what’s happening. No one wants to take responsibility. The municipality blames the company they hired, while the company refuses to accept any accountability - allegedly claiming the municipality still owes them money to complete the work,” she said.
Cekisho-Dyalvane, who lives in Potchefstroom, was visiting friends in Masakeng with her family when tragedy struck. On the evening of 26 July, their daughter suddenly went missing - only to be found about an hour later, floating in the water-filled trench.
She said officials from the Phokwane municipality visited her days after the incident to offer condolences and handed the family R10 000 in cash. However, the gesture has raised questions, as the municipality has since denied any knowledge of the payment.
According to municipal spokesperson Kgalalelo Letshabo, claims that the municipality offered a donation or covered burial expenses for the family are inaccurate and false.
“The municipality did not provide any donation or cover any burial expenses. Therefore, this claim is inaccurate and false,” Letshabo claims.
When asked about rumours that the municipality is considering legal action against the contracted company following the incident, Letshabo declined to confirm or deny the claims.
“The matter is still under investigation and is sub judice. The municipality cannot comment further until the investigation is concluded. Once finalised, all parties will be informed of who is liable and responsible,” she told Journal News.
Letshabo confirmed that Limpopo-based company Tarcron Projects was awarded a R25 million contract in 2023. The scope of work for this project includes the installation of a bulk sewer outfall line, the refurbishment of the existing pump station, and the construction of a new pump station.
However, when contacted for comment Tarcron Projects’ project manager, Kevin Mashile, referred Journal News to the municipality, stating that they do not have the facts regarding the matter.
Police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers confirmed that an inquest case has been opened and is currently under investigation.
As the 2026 municipal elections approach, the Executive Mayor of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, Nikiwe Num sat down with Journal News to unpack the challenges, progress, and priorities that shape the region’s political landscape. The mayor discussed service delivery, youth unemployment, infrastructure development, and the municipality’s plans to improve transparency and community engagement.
By Abigail Visagie
Thank you for taking the time to sit with us today — we truly appreciate it and happy belated Women’s Day. I must say, your leadership portfolio is quite impressive. How long have you been serving the people of the North West?
Thank you. I’ve served the people of the North West Province in various capacities over the past 36 years - both within ANC structures and later in different government offices.
Let’s start by focusing on Women’s Month this August, as the country commemorates the role of women in our society. Given your experience as a woman in the male-dominated world of politics, what are some of the key challenges you’ve faced that your male counterparts may not have had to deal with?
There’s still quite a bit we need to do as a society, especially in spaces where women are expected to perform alongside men. The first step is acknowledging and internalising the fact that women carry multiple roles. It’s not just about stepping into the boardroom and holding your own in discussions — it’s also about stepping out and being a mother, a sister, an aunt, a daughter, all while still being expected to give your best at work.
Personally, I’ve never felt threatened in a male-dominated field. I’ve spent much of my career working alongside men who recognise potential, accept imperfections, and are willing to guide and point out areas for growth. That, to me, is what the gender struggle is really about. It’s not just about being seen as a woman — it’s about being recognised for the potential I bring, if given the opportunity. In fact, I believe women often surpass men in many ways, because we bring both tenacity and unwavering determination to everything we do.
Do you believe that women are fully emancipated, thirty years into democracy?
Over the past thirty years, significant policy achievements have been recorded, and there has consistently been a conscious effort to ensure that women are given opportunities and empowered. However, thirty years cannot undo the effects of over a century of inequality. There is still a long way to go. We also recognize that the struggle for women’s emancipation exists within the broader context of the national democratic revolution and the wider emancipation of society. As such, progress is often uneven and, in some areas, still falls short.
I hear you, Mayor. Let’s shift the focus and talk about other pressing issues — the Foot-and-Mouth Disease, which appears to be quite prominent in your district. What measures have you taken to support farmers in dealing with this?
The outbreak has dealt a serious blow to our farmers — including commercial farmers — particularly since our province contributes significantly to the country’s economy and GDP. In response, the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs, in collaboration with local governments across the province, has implemented strategic plans to raise awareness and promote advocacy. Once the disease was officially declared an outbreak, field officers were deployed to engage both commercial and emerging farmers, helping them identify and understand the signs of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
The Department of Agriculture has intervention programs in place, and many of our farmers have been able to benefit from these initiatives. Fortunately, the outbreak did not escalate to the level we initially feared and has been largely contained. While our farmers may not always have formal academic qualifications, they possess a deep understanding of their animals and agricultural practices. They listen, they learn, and their responsiveness has played a key role in successful interventions — particularly in remote areas where government reach is limited. We continue to monitor the disease closely and remain committed to ensuring that the department is accessible and responsive to farmers who need assistance.
Another major concern in your district is the rising number of illegal mining activities, sexual offences, and assaults. How is your office addressing these issues?
We acknowledge that, as government, we have not done enough — particularly when it comes to addressing illegal mining. We are facing significant challenges with mining shafts that were never properly decommissioned or closed, as well as with the continued influx of people who originally migrated here seeking work in the mines.
We are actively engaging the relevant departments and calling for assistance in repurposing these mines, as the ongoing activity indicates there are still resources underground that could be legally and safely utilized. Law enforcement has also been brought on board, and plans are underway to address the issue of illegal mining shafts. We believe that once these matters are resolved from a legal and structural standpoint, we will start to see a decline in related criminal activities.
There are various local municipalities under your authority. What are you doing to assist them in becoming tax compliant in line with the Auditor-General’s reports, and how are you holding them accountable for their financial management?
We operate within the framework of intergovernmental relations (IGR), which regulates cooperation between different spheres of government. Municipalities are constitutionally empowered through legislation such as the Structures Act and the Systems Act, so our role is to coordinate and support them rather than to direct.
We use the IGR framework, strengthened by the District Development Model, to facilitate collaboration. In fact, this is the only district in the province that consistently convenes joint planning sessions. Together, we assess the impact of our social programs and analyse infrastructure development needs.
As part of our support efforts, we can physically deploy teams to municipalities — we “camp” there, so to speak — to provide hands-on support. The effectiveness of these interventions, however, depends on the municipality’s willingness and capacity to absorb and sustain the knowledge and systems we help implement.
Our district takes the lead in coordinating programs, projects, and information-sharing across municipalities. For instance, we have implemented an integrated roads network plan across all three municipalities in the district. We’ve also intervened in service delivery planning, particularly in areas of Maquassi Hills and Matlosana that require urgent attention.
In addition, we have shared services models in place. For example, Maquassi Hills requested assistance to strengthen their financial management, so they now share a risk and audit committee with us. These collaborative mechanisms allow us to improve governance and accountability across the district.
What are your top three priorities in your district municipality?
Actually, as a district — in collaboration with our local municipalities — we’ve identified five key priorities that we believe are critical to repositioning and revitalizing the district:
Strengthening Governance:
Our first priority is to improve governance by ensuring that municipal structures remain functional, accountable, and aligned with our service delivery goals. Good governance is the foundation for delivering the essential services our communities need.
Unlocking Economic Potential:
We are focused on driving economic growth by leveraging key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, training and skills development, and steel manufacturing. The district has access to raw materials that could support a local steel industry, which in turn could help us improve our road infrastructure and create jobs.
However, service delivery remains inconsistent in some areas. As towns have grown and mining activity has declined, our budget has become limited — so we need an extra push to meet community expectations.
Infrastructure Development:
Upgrading and maintaining infrastructure is essential for supporting both economic activity and quality of life. This includes roads, water systems, and other basic services.
Tourism Promotion:
We aim to harness our tourism potential to attract investment and create sustainable jobs. The district has natural and cultural assets that can be better marketed and developed.
Agricultural Development:
Agriculture remains a vital sector in our district. We are working to enhance support for emerging and commercial farmers to boost food security, rural development, and economic inclusion.
With local government elections approaching, how prepared are you — and do you believe you have done enough to stand the test of time and seek a second term?
We are well prepared — collectively as municipalities — to manage the responsibilities leading up to the local government elections. Our focus is not on doing anything extraordinary just because elections are approaching. Instead, we must remain consistent in delivering services and continue to improve where necessary. When communities see consistent, tangible improvements, they recognize the value of the work being done.We have established structures that allow us to engage regularly with councillors at the local municipality level. Recently, we developed a tool to assess service delivery across all 84 wards, helping us identify which areas have been neglected over the past 15, 10, or 5 years.
This data will guide our discussions with executive mayors as we determine where infrastructure development should be prioritized. Our Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) have all been approved by councillors, but while the expectations are high, our financial resources remain limited. That is why we have identified three key focus areas moving forward:
1.Sustain and improve the areas where we are already performing well.
2. Revisit wards where minimal or no development has taken place.
3.Tackle the issue of illegal dumping by introducing sustainable waste management solutions.
We also have a responsibility to encourage civic participation. People must understand that exercising their right to vote is not just a democratic act — it is an expression of patriotism and a defence of our sovereignty. Choosing not to vote is, in essence, giving away your voice and your country.
As for myself, I remain available to serve. If the community believes I’ve earned their trust and chooses to support me for a second term, I am confident that I can continue to contribute meaningfully. With another five years, there is still much I can bring to the table to ensure that our communities are well-served and that our progress continues.
The safety and security of children in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres are in the spotlight, with concerns raised about the safety of children at unregistered centres..
According to the G20 Free State Provincial Education Indaba report which was issued during the Minister of Basic EducationSiviwe Gwarube’s Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive that took place in Bloemfontein last week, Thursday, the Free State currently has 1606 registered ECDs and 227are unregistered.
The report states that out of 1606 ECD sites the department funds 1401 sites.
According to ECD practitioners, some of the challenges that they face are those of safety and security at their ECD sites.
They say they do not have the money to improve infrastructure and security for the children.
They also say one of the biggest challenges they face is failing to meet the norms and standards required to be a registered and funded ECD because of the poor infrastructure.
Recent criminal incidents at unregistered centres have in the past put the department under scrutiny.
In May last year, a 23-year-old male assistant was arrested for raping a three-year-old girl on the premises of an unregistered ECD.
The male assistant raped the little girl in the toilet of the ECD.
The Department of Education laid criminal charges against the man and permanently shut the ECD centre down.
Gwarube in an interview with Journal News emphasised the importance of safety and security in ECD centres.
She said at theThuso Imdaad ECD Centre which was used as a presentation to aspiringECD owners on what an ECD centre must look like for it to qualify for registration and funding.
“We are working with the Department of Justice and our partners to vet ECD practitioners against the Child Protection and Sexual Offences registers.
“We also have a Memorandum of Understanding with the South African Police Service to ensure police visibility in designated areas,” she said.
Gwarube’s comments come amid efforts to improve safety and security in ECD centres, including increased collaboration between government departments and law enforcement agencies.
Glory Mofokeng, owner of Graeme Young Day Care Centre in Phase 4, expressed frustration about the limited funding allocated by the Department of Education.
“The Department of Education has allocated funding, but it’s not enough. The President promised an increase, but nothing has been done, and it is impossible to upscale our centres with such little money,” she said.
The Free State African National Congress (ANC) has announced a significant political shift by reshuffling the leadership of seven municipal troikas across the province.
The move, confirmed by provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng during a post-Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting media briefing yesterday, forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen governance, improve service delivery, and realign political priorities ahead of the upcoming elections.
The affected municipalities will see leadership changes in key positions, including mayors, speakers, and chief whips, as the party responds to internal performance reviews and growing public dissatisfaction. This follows a recent oversight visit by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), which uncovered widespread dysfunction in municipalities — including billions in missing funds, sewage spills, illegal tenders, and critical staff vacancies.
Journal News, in its previous edition, first broke the story on the impending removal of mayors under the headline “Five Mayors Face the Chop”, following a tip-off.
According to Motsoeneng, the PEC resolved that urgent intervention will be prioritised in the Mafube, Moqhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana, Nala, and Masilonyana local municipalities, as well as the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, where persistent audit disclaimers, weak leadership, and allegations of corruption have severely undermined service delivery.
“Redeployment will be effected in all these municipalities. The PWC [Provincial Working Committee] will pronounce on this decision. The provincial COGTA is expected to take action where allegations of corruption and malfeasance have been identified,” said Motsoeneng.
Dr Zweli Mkhize, chairperson of the parliamentary committee on cooperative governance, described the state of Free State municipalities as “disastrous.” The Auditor-General’s latest report supports this view, highlighting rampant irregular expenditure, a lack of accountability, and numerous audit disclaimers across the province.
Motsoeneng reiterated that the ruling party has placed strong emphasis on enhancing accountability, promoting clean governance, and accelerating service delivery within municipalities. “For these objectives to be realised, three conditions must be met: firstly, a resilient, courageous, and principled leadership; secondly, a committed, conscious cadreship; and lastly, an active civil society that is consciously mobilised,” he stated.
He added that the PEC had an in-depth discussion on the state of governance at both provincial and local levels. These discussions were informed by recent PEC roadshows and reinforced by findings from the Joint Portfolio Committee on Local Government’s visit to the province.
“A decisive call was made to urgently intervene and address the critical challenges that were laid bare in public,” said Motsoeneng.
In addition to the reshuffling of mayors, Motsoeneng also announced the enforcement of the ANC’s controversial step-aside rule against Mary Crockett, a councillor at Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality. Crockett, who serves as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Social Development, faces three counts of fraud and two counts of corruption in the local magistrate’s court.
She was arrested two weeks ago following allegations that she sold government houses and vacant sites in the area for R70,000 each. She was granted R10,000 bail, with conditions that include reporting to the Phuthaditjhaba Police Station every Monday and the surrender of her passport. “The PEC appreciates the voluntary step-aside of the said comrade, in line with the ANC’s step-aside rule,” said Motsoeneng.
Lack of accountability has seen government officials continue to show blatant disregard for government resources
By Abigail Visagie
The recent car accident involving a State-owned vehicle belonging to Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) that overturned along the N1 near Verkeerdevlei, has uncovered a trail of malpractice by government officials and politicians who use State resources for private purposes which are prohibited by legislation.
Regional African National Congress (ANC) secretary, Sabelo Pitso, and chief whip, Vuyile Nikelo and two unnamed bodyguards were involved in the abovementioned accident, due to an alleged tyre burst. It is believed that the driver lost control of the car following the alleged tyre burst, leading the car to overturn and tumble to the roadside.
Although it is not clear who the driver of the State car (JBB477FS) was at the time of the accident, Journal News has been reliably informed that both Pitso and Nikelo were in the car when it overturned. Despite this unfortunate incident, questions have emerged on why the duo were driving together in a State-owned vehicle thus contravening MMM’s fleet management policy.
Section 18.5 of the MMM’s fleet management policy stipulates that “no driver who is permitted with the government vehicle is permitted to transport any unauthorised passengers”.
The chief whip therefore clearly went against legislation and allowed a passenger in a State-owned.
Further reports suggest that there was a second State-owned vehicle (JBB479FS) within the vicinity of the vehicle that had an accident. This has given rise to suppositions that this second vehicle was transporting Pitso - another violation of MMM fleet management protocol.
Although Pitso is a high-ranking ANC official in the province, he is not deployed anywhere as an official within MMM. Why a State-owned vehicle was allegedly assigned to him has therefore raised more difficult questions.
In response to questions from Journal News, MMM spokesperson, Qondile Khedama said he contacted Nikelo as soon as he found out about the accident.
“The Chief Whip confirmed that the accident was caused by a tyre burst. The fleet management from MMM is currently conducting investigations.”
According to Khedama, Nikelo also indicated that he was “okay” and that there were no fatalities sustained in the accident.
He also confirmed that the two vehicles do indeed belong to the metro but could not explain why the ANC senior official (Nikelo) was using a State-owned vehicle.
At a press briefing held at Kaizer Sebothelo Building - Free State ANC’s provincial headquarters - the party’s provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng stressed that Nikelo is part of MMM hence he has been designated a government vehicle to execute his duties.
Motsoeneng, however, fell short of answering why Pitso was being ferried in State-owned vehicle, despite not being a government official and also why two vehicles were dispatched, despite the chief whip being the only official authorised to be driven in State-owned at the scene.
Some other incidents similar that of Pitso and Nikelo where State vehicles were misused include an accident involving the Kopanong mayor, Xolani Tseletsele, whose white Mercedes-Benz SUV was linked to a car accident that occurred on 13 February 2022, in which an alleged mysterious woman was said to be the driver when the car was in an accident.
Ngwathe Local Municipality mayor, Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni’s black BMW State-owned vehicle has been a subject of controversy after it claimed the life of a 26-year-old woman who was hitchhiking on the R59 highway on 21 May 2023.
It was then confirmed that the vehicle was driven by Mthombeni’s bodyguard in her absence.
Just like many others, investigations for these cases are still pending.
The prevalence of government garage vehicles - purchased and maintained using public funds - being misused by State officials and by powerful politicians such as in this case, is a longstanding problem. Given the fact these vehicles are purchased using taxpayers’ money, this rife malpractice, particularly amongst government leaders and party heavyweights, not only undermines public trust but also exposes the glaring gaps in monitoring and accountability within provincial government departments and municipal governance spheres.
Apparently, there is a slew of occurrences of State-owned cars being misused by government officials, but they casually get ‘swept under the carpet’.
The incidents are in contravention of the Government Motor Transport Handbook which stipulates that a government vehicle can be used by any person with the relevant authority, involved in an activity in line with the objectives of the government.
The handbook further highlights the fact that no unauthorised passengers should be transported and that authorised passengers will be held liable for inappropriate behaviour resulting in damages or losses.
Considering the government handbook, MMM has also been led by fleet management policy that further stipulates that the allocated driver shall be appropriately licensed, in terms of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, and a duly authorised employee of MMM at all times- Yet none of the senior ANC officials form part of the municipality.
In the instance of the ANC officials, it was alleged that the officials also travelled with two other bodyguards, yet the log and handbook of MMM boldly stipulates that any driver who has been entrusted with the official vehicle is not permitted to transport any other unauthorised passengers.
With clear and precise guidelines from both the National Department of Transport and MMM, a lingering aftertaste is left, leaving many taxpayers wondering how many more of these accidents caused by either reckless state officials or non-governmental officials will be paid from their back pockets, whilst the perpetrators are left scot-free and test-driving the latest luxury vehicles.
