Months of uncertainty surrounding the controversial Bodulo Mothong housing project could come to an end today when the Free State High Court delivers judgment in a closely watched legal battle that could determine the future of hundreds of vulnerable families awaiting relocation to safer living cond...
The Free State Legislature, spearheaded by Speaker Mxolisi Dukwana, convened its second annual Speaker’s Forum at the Golden Gate National Park on Thursday, 5 March 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the province’s commitment to administrative excellence.
This strategic gathering brought together municipal speakers from across the province under the theme of ‘Strengthening Municipal Governance, Legal Capacity, and Digital Transformation’ in anticipation of the upcoming elections.
By fostering an environment of collaborative learning and shared responsibility, the forum serves as a progressive platform designed to elevate standards of accountability and enhance public participation through modern technological integration. In an exclusive interview with Journal News on the sidelines of the event yesterday, Dukwana explained that the Speaker’s Forum was a necessary space for leaders to align their efforts for the benefit of all citizens.
“The constitution of the country expects us to collaborate and work together in ensuring that proper services are rendered to our people,” Dukwana said
“So, you can’t do that without working together to ensure that accountability, proper and effective public participation happens, we need to share good practices, and we need to share knowledge and advise one another on how we can carry on with our responsibilities without fear or favour. That is why we are here,” he added.
The forum, which concludes today, 6 March 2026, is actively seeking to redefine the scope of a Speaker’s influence, moving beyond the traditional perception of merely presiding over council meet CENTLEC (SOC) Ltd commenced a 60-day General Amnesty on meter tampering, illegal connections and unauthorised meter shifts.
This initiative invites consumers who have engaged in meter tampering, illegal connections, or unauthorised shifting of meter boxes to voluntarily disclose to normalise their status without facing the standard punitive penalties or prosecution. Champion Runner Dijana Trades Finish Line for Service at NWU Page 15 The Vision Behind Winnie’s Palace Page 5 ings. Dukwana challenged his colleagues to embrace a more robust oversight role, noting that their responsibilities extend far beyond the gavel - particularly regarding financial monitoring and Section 71 reports.
“Over time, we have seen that the role of the Speakers, especially in the municipal councils, is only seen as chairing councils and nothing more. But we have a very important role – especially when it comes to Section 71 reports. Their responsibility within the council is not only because the constitution demands that we have accountable councils…and that is what we need to do,” he stressed.
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong. Picture: Baagedi Setlhora
By: Refilwe Mochoari
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, has urged the North West Provincial Government to adopt the national government communication policy aimed at strengthening how the state communicates with citizens.
Morolong made the call on Wednesday during a meeting with members of the provincial executive council at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel in Mahikeng. The meeting also brought together representatives from the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), and Brand South Africa.
As the minister responsible for GCIS, Morolong stressed the importance of effective and coordinated communication between the government and the public. He noted that the Cabinet has recently resolved to review the government communication policy, which serves as a strategic framework to ensure coherent, transparent and consistent messaging across all spheres of government.
The GCIS provides strategic communication leadership and support to government institutions and is responsible for submitting a National Communication Strategy to Cabinet. “I am here to familiarise the provincial government executives with the government communication policy,” Morolong said.
He explained that GCIS works closely with the MDDA and Brand South Africa to fulfil its mandate. The MDDA focuses on promoting media development and diversity by creating an environment that enables public discourse reflecting the needs and aspirations of all South Africans.
Brand South Africa, meanwhile, serves as the country’s official marketing agency, tasked with promoting South Africa’s global reputation and ensuring the nation remains competitive and respected internationally.
Following a closed session with Morolong, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi said discussions also focused on positioning communication effectively across the three spheres of government, with a strong emphasis on keeping the public informed.
Mokgosi also highlighted the need for stronger government support for community media. “Our responsibility as government is to inform people about what the government is doing. Departments must provide reports on their progress in supporting local media.
As a province, it is our duty to support local media,” Mokgosi said. Morolong was accompanied during the visit by senior officials from GCIS, the MDDA and Brand South Africa.
Compromise unity slate rejected as internal divisions and public lobbying intensify
By: JN Reporter
The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West province is facing deepening internal turmoil after a proposed compromise unity slate was rejected, triggering intensified factional divisions and an open scramble for support ahead of the upcoming provincial conference.
The collapse of unity talks has exposed sharp fault lines within the party, with rival camps now openly canvassing branches and lobbying delegates in a bid to consolidate power.
What was initially framed as a last-ditch effort to present a united front has instead unravelled into a public display of mistrust, heightening tensions and raising concerns about further instability in the province. Tensions escalated last week following the leak of a 90-second audio clip on social media, allegedly capturing a conversation between Deputy Provincial Secretary and Education MEC Viola Motsumi and the MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation. In the clip, Motsumi launches a scathing attack on Premier Lazarus.
“Lazi” Mokgosi. In her response to the leaked recording, Motsumi also accused former ANC Provincial Deputy Chairperson and ex-Matlosana Local Municipality mayor, China Thamsanqa Dodovu, of becoming the “biggest wedge driver in contemporary ANC politics”.
She warned that should attacks against her continue, she would expose “the details surrounding his resignation as mayor, including the serious issues of other malfeasance and misconduct that accompanied it”.
A party member who spoke to Journal News on condition of anonymity said the recent public spat between the two dominant factions — one led by provincial chairperson Nono Maloyi and the other aligned to his deputy, Mokgosi — is merely “the tip of the iceberg”. “The cracks are too deep now,” the source said. “A lot is happening among leaders contesting positions.
Secret meetings are held daily, and plans are being made to discredit opposing factions. A compromise unity slate was proposed, but both factions rejected it because members wanted inclusion in the top five.”
According to the source, while many members initially supported the idea of unity, disagreements over key positions proved insurmountable. “Both slates want their preferred candidate to be elected as chairperson, and other contenders are unwilling to be excluded from a unity list,” he said.
The disagreement – according to the source – led the PEC to request a two-month postponement of the provincial conference from the party’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula. The conference was initially scheduled to take place later this month.
“That request has not yet been responded to, as far as I can tell,” a source said on Wednesday. Campaign posters circulating on social media reflect the growing contestation. In one version of the Maloyi-aligned slate, Maloyi is positioned for chairperson, with Maine tipped for secretary, while another poster places Maine as provincial treasurer.
Current provincial secretary Louis Diremelo is contesting for deputy chairperson under Maloyi, whilehis deputy, Motsumi, is seeking to retain her position, according to both posters.
Notably, Kenetswe Homane appears as a preferred candidate for treasurer on both the Maloyi-aligned slate and on Mokgosi’s slate. The Mokgosi-aligned grouping reportedly lists Sello Lehari as deputy chairperson, Mpho Khunou as secretary, and Tebogo Modise as deputy secretary.
The unfolding leadership battle has raised concerns among broader provincial structures, including the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), a key ANC-aligned civic movement. Provincial SANCO spokesperson Mzukisi Jam accused some ANC members of prioritising personal ambition over the interests of the organisation. “Sometimes this results in the mobilisation of support for leaders who may lack the necessary competence, but who are elevated through factional victories and subsequently deployed into government,” Jam said.
He added that SANCO is “deeply disappointed” by the conduct of certain ANC leaders ahead of what he described as a critical gathering. “Recent public developments during the State of the Province Address have revealed the extent to which internal factional battles have shaped how members of the same political party speak about one another,” he said.
The Tripartite Alliance partner has called on ANC members to prioritise organisational discipline over personal vendettas, warning that internal divisions only serve to weaken the movement. Attempts to obtain comment from ANC provincial spokesperson Tumelo Maruping were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered and questions sent to him had not been responded to at the time of publication.
South Africa is mourning the loss of Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota, the founder and leader of the Congress of the People (COPE), who passed away aged 77 on Tuesday following a period of illness.
Affectionately known by his struggle moniker, ‘Terror’, Lekota was a formidable figure in the country’s political landscape for decades.
Born on 13 August 1948, his journey as an activist saw him play a pivotal role in the fight against apartheid, leading to his imprisonment on Robben Island alongside global icon, Nelson Mandela.
Lekota’s contribution to the liberation movement was profound, particularly through his involvement with the United Democratic Front (UDF).
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has reflected on this legacy.
“Comrade Terror was instrumental in the formation and leadership of the United Democratic Front, which pushed for boycotts and sanctions, heeding the call from Lusaka to make Bothas apartheid South Africa ungovernable,” Mbalula posted on social media platform X.
Following the dawn of democracy, Lekota served with distinction in several high-ranking positions, including as the first Premier of the Free State, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), and Minister of Defence for nearly a decade.
During his tenure as Defence Minister, he significantly expanded South Africa’s peacekeeping footprint across the continent in alignment with the African Union’s agenda.
However, his political path took a dramatic turn in 2008 when he left the ANC following the recall of Thabo Mbeki.
This led to the formation of COPE, marking a significant shift in the country's multi-party democracy.
His passing marks the end of an era for a leader who remained a vocal participant in the national discourse until the very end.
The African National Congress (ANC) has condemned the “PM27” campaign - an effort apparently aimed at gathering support for billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe to become the party’s next president come 2027.
Without dropping names, the ANC released a statement on Monday, saying all campaigning is prohibited until the party’s national executive committee (NEC) states otherwise.
The ANC is only due for a national elective conference in 2027, where its likely to emerge with a new leader.
Current president Cyril Ramaphosa is not expected to seek a third term.
A website called PM27.org.za has come to the fore.
The website is dedicated to Motsepe, calling him “the most credible, unifying and visionary leader to guide the ANC and South Africa into a new era of integrity, growth and unity”.
No one has claimed responsibility for the website, including Motsepe.
In a media statement, the ANC has called on those behind the PM27 campaign to desist from their actions.
The party said the focus of all members should be on the upcoming local government elections, where the ANC is facing a difficult battle to reverse its declining electoral support.
Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, announced on Monday that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate's (IPID) full report into the Phala Phala farm scandal has been declassified.
Cachalia, responding to a written question from the African Transformation Movement, revealed that the report status was lifted on February 2.
However, the report remains largely inaccessible to the public, as Cachalia stated that IPID reports are typically not intended for general public consumption.
This breakthrough follows months of legal threats from ActionSA, which prepared papers to challenge the 'Top Secret' status as unconstitutional and a 'whitewash' intended to protect President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The party also argued that this is an abuse of power intended to shield Ramaphosa.
The report was originally classified by IPID under the Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS). Former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu previously defended this, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and witnesses.
The Phala Phala scandal, also known as “Farmgate”, involves the 2020 theft of an estimated $580,000 in cash (initially alleged to be $4 million) hidden in furniture at Ramaphosa's private game farm in Limpopo.
The incident remained secret until June 2022, when former spy chief Arthur Fraser filed a criminal complaint. Fraser accused Ramaphosa of money laundering, kidnapping, and bribery to recover the funds without reporting the theft to the police.
Ramaphosa maintains that the money was legitimate proceeds from the sale of 20 buffalo to Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa and that he reported the matter to his head of security.
In a statement issued on Monday, ActionSA's national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, said IPID must now unseal the declassified report into Phala Phala.
He said the party has already issued papers to IPID to ensure this happens immediately.
However, IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping, who also confirmed the declassification of the report, said it should be noted that the report is not for public consumption, adding that anyone who wants access to the report must submit a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request to “our” information officer.
Cachalia's spokesperson, Kamo Mogotsi, said the Parliamentary response clarifies that IPID reports are not intended for public release and may only be accessed through the appropriate legal channels, subject to applicable restrictions.
Mogotsi added that Cachalia does not direct or interfere with IPID investigations or findings, adding that his role is strictly defined and limited by legislation to safeguard the directorate’s independence.
“It should also be noted that IPID’s investigation pertained to the conduct of SAPS members, rather than the primary criminal matter of breaking and theft,” she said.
The IPID investigation focused specifically on the conduct of South African Police Service (SAPS) members, including Major-General Wally Rhoode, and whether they conducted an unauthorised “off-the-books” operation to recover stolen foreign currency.
The directorate is also probing allegations that SAPS members pursued and interrogated suspects in Namibia without official jurisdiction or a registered police docket.
Cachalia also stated that any legally obtained version of the report is likely to be heavily redacted.
However, Beaumont said the victory of obtaining this report will allow ActionSA and civil society to challenge both the redactions and the report itself in court if these concerns are realised.
“ActionSA was already in the process of preparing legal papers to declassify the IPID report. Legal means will be considered again if IPID does not provide the full transparency South Africans have been demanding,” he said, adding that the fact that ActionSA has had to fight this matter for more than a year shows that this GNU government has continued where its predecessors left off, protecting their own interests over those of the country.
Beaumont said the party will communicate the next step upon receiving the report.
Meanwhile, African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader, Vuyo Zungula, who has been a central figure in lodging several formal complaints and legal challenges regarding the Phala Phala report and the subsequent investigations, told a national broadcaster that the party will also submit an application for access to the report and request that the directorate be summoned to present it to the Portfolio Committee on Police.
