Note to Broadcaster: Please find the attached soundbite in English by Freddy Sonakile.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West notes Premier Lazarus Mokgosi’s announcement of changes in the provincial administration with deep concern. What the Premier presents as an effort to “bolster administrative stability” is, in truth, a cosmetic reshuffle that merely shifts the same broken pieces and expects a different outcome.
The redeployment of Mr Mothupi Mokhatla, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, to the Department of Health, is not a solution but a continuation of failure. This is like moving a learner who failed mathematics to teach science and expecting miracles. The Department of Health is already collapsing under the weight of mismanagement, infrastructure decay, and billions in irregular expenditure. Transferring an HOD from another underperforming department will not restore stability or service delivery.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which lost millions in conditional grants in the latest Auditor-General’s report, is now left with an acting Head of Department, Ms Kenalemang Bodigelo-Nyezi. This has become a recurring pattern of instability and drift, with no real accountability or consequence for repeated audit failures.
Even more troubling is the redeployment of Mr Obakeng Mongale, former Head of Health, to the Office of the Premier to coordinate the Provincial Segment of the National Dialogue. The National Dialogue has already failed nationally, and the North West with unemployment now sitting at 52%, cannot afford to pour energy and resources into another expensive talk shop. What the province needs is impact, not indulgence. This movement is nothing more than a glorified demotion dressed up as strategic coordination.
If Premier Mokgosi was serious about administrative reform, he would have:
- Released the performance evaluation reports that justify these redeployments;
- Ensured that audit and service delivery failures are addressed through competence, not convenience; and
- Prioritised permanent, skilled leadership over endless acting appointments.
Until that happens, these changes remain window dressing, reshuffling officials while corruption, poor financial management, and service delivery collapse continue to define this government.
To ensure accountability, the DA has formally submitted a letter to the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Dr Desbo Mohono, in terms of Rule 132: Request by a Member for Discussion of a Matter of Urgent Public Importance. We have requested that the Speaker schedule, without delay, a discussion in the next sitting of the Legislature for Premier Mokgosi to account for and explain the rationale and performance basis of these redeployments.
The DA will not tolerate the disguise of administrative manipulation as reform. Premier Mokgosi must account, and he must do so before the Legislature and the people of the North West.