By Yvonne Motsamai-Lobelo
SUNCITY– In a saga that has gripped the North West Province’s political landscape, the provincial legislature is probing allegations of political interference leveled against Premier Lazarus Mokgosi by Naledi Local Municipality Mayor Clifton Groep. The inquiry, centers on Mokgosi’s purported meddling in the appointment of a municipal manager and broader manipulations of municipal processes. As hearings conclude in February 2026, testimonies from key witnesses have exposed conflicting narratives, procedural flaws, and hints of political vendettas, leaving the committee to sift through affidavits, disputed messages, and a recent court ruling.
Hearings, held in phases at the Sun City Convention Centre, have featured a roster of witnesses, including the accusers, implicated officials, and Mokgosi himself, who testified as the final witness.
Central to the allegations is Thabo Appolus, a former Naledi employee, whose affidavit detailed Mokgosi’s alleged directive to modify the interview panel’s report, undermining Segapo’s candidacy,however, in his oral testimony he denied Mokgosi issuing such a directive. Appolus described communications and a meeting where the interference was purportedly orchestrated. Supporting this, occupational health and safety assistant manager Thabo Sejake and Segapo himself provided affidavits recounting Mokgosi’s involvement in discussions aimed at blocking the appointment. Segapo’s submission went beyond the procedural, including personal accusations against Mokgosi, such as claims of abusive behavior, which the premier has vehemently rejected as defamatory and irrelevant.
Groep, in his November 2025 testimony, reiterated the core claims, referencing an “explosive letter” from Appolus that allegedly outlined the interference, though debates persist over the letter’s content and intent. Additional context came from Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Director Dithole Hendrick Moate, who testified on the department’s instructions for a thorough review of the draft report on Segapo’s hiring, highlighting potential irregularities without directly implicating Mokgosi. EFF MP Mothusi Montwedi also appeared early in the process, shedding light on related municipal challenges.
Premier Mokgosi, taking the stand in February 2026, delivered a robust defense, denying any involvement in altering reports, convening interference meetings, or presenting manipulated documents. He challenged the committee to pinpoint the exact nature of his alleged tampering and dismissed the affidavits as fabricated, citing leaked WhatsApp messages among Appolus, Sejake, and Segapo as evidence of a coordinated “Mokgosi must fall” campaign. Mokgosi pointed to his non-response to a suspicious message as proof of the plot and accused the evidence leader of biased handling of witnesses who did not implicate him. Framing the inquiry as a smear tactic amid ANC internal rivalries, he urged a focus on facts over personal attacks.
Evidence presented includes affidavits, contested text messages, and the disputed letter, with no irrefutable proof of tampering yet publicly detailed. Tensions within the committee have surfaced, with Mokgosi alleging bias and the chairperson emphasizing the need for evidence-based deliberations.
As the ad hoc committee enters its deliberation phase, the outcome could significantly impact Mokgosi’s premiership and highlight broader challenges in South African municipal governance. With narratives clashing between claims of interference and counter-allegations of conspiracy, the inquiry serves as a stark reminder of the fragile line between politics and administration in the province. Morongwa News will continue to monitor developments as the committee prepares its final report.
