DA calls for MEC Lenkopane’s removal over parks and tourism board crisis

Issued by Jóhni Steenkamp – DA Spokesperson on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism
21 Feb 2025 in Press Statements

Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Jóhni Steenkamp

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West Legislature calls on Premier Lazarus Mokgosi to urgently reconsider Bitsa Lenkopane’s deployment as MEC of the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism (DEDECT) following her failure to address the financial and governance crisis at the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB). Her inaction and arrogance left employees unpaid while the entity faced total collapse.

For months, the DA and the Portfolio Committee on DEDECT raised concerns over NWPTB’s financial instability, yet MEC Lenkpane failed to intervene and instead misled the public during a radio interview, claiming there was no funding crisis at the NWPTB. She dismissed warnings from former Acting CEO, Charlene Jacobs, who had alerted employees and the residents of North West to the looming crisis, accusing Jacobs of being dramatic instead of addressing the issue.

The board repeatedly ignored accountability calls, with only two members finally appearing before the Portfolio Committee. Despite the entity having five acting CEOs in just six months, MEC Lenkopane mocked the crisis on social media instead of taking action.

Now, in an attempt to shift blame, the MEC claims to be “dismayed” by the salary crisis. Yet, if funds were allocated, where did they go? And if they went missing, why has no one been held accountable? Her sluggish response to this crisis has only deepened financial mismanagement within the NWPTB.

To restore stability and accountability, the DA calls for:

  • The Premier to remove MEC Lenkopane from her position.
  • The dissolution of NWPTB and its immediate placement under administration.
  • A forensic investigation into the entity’s finances, including Golden Leopard Resorts.
  • Immediate intervention by the Provincial Treasury to take control of NWPTB finances.

The DA will escalate this matter in the Legislature to ensure accountability is upheld, the entity is saved, and employees receive their long-overdue salaries. If the Premier fails to act, it will confirm his administration’s complicity in allowing this entity to collapse under MEC Lenkopane’s leadership.