STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NWPL AD HOC COMMITTEE ON ALLEGATIONS BY MAYOR OF NALEDI MUNICIPALITY MEMBER(S), HON NATHAN OLIPHANT

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

Members of the Ad Hoc Committee,

Citizens of the North West Province,

At the outset, allow me to extend the Committee’s sincere apologies for the delayed commencement of this briefing. The Committee’s deliberations this morning required additional time and attention; and let me appreciate your patience in that regard.

The North West Provincial Legislature’s (NWPL) Ad Hoc Committee, established in terms of Rule 186 of the Standing Rules of the North West Provincial Legislature by the Speaker of the Legislature following consultation with the leadership of represented political parties, has concluded the public hearing phase of its work and today convened to commence deliberations as part of the next stage of its proceedings.

The Ad Hoc Committee was appointed for a specific assignment and period in line with the Standing Rules of the Legislature to investigate allegations of interference against Member(s) of the Legislature by the Mayor of Naledi Local Municipality, Cllr Clifton J Groep. In accordance with its mandate, the Committee has been tasked with gathering evidence, making findings and recommendations, and ultimately reporting back to the House.

The work of the Committee continues to be guided by Rules 186 to 188 of the Standing Rules of the North West Provincial Legislature, which regulate the establishment, composition, powers and functions of Ad Hoc Committees.

The Committee commenced its work during November 2025, when it held the first round of public hearings from 24 to 27 November 2025. Following the extension of the Committee’s mandate by the Legislature until 31 May 2026, the Committee resumed its work during January 2026 and February 2026 as part of the continuation of its evidence-gathering process.

Throughout the course of its hearings, the Ad Hoc Committee heard testimony from a range of witnesses and stakeholders, including current and former municipal officials, representatives of provincial government departments, political representatives and other relevant individuals connected to matters before the Committee.

Among the witnesses who appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee during the January and February 2026 rounds of hearings were:

Mr Thabo Appolus, former Director: Corporate Services at the Naledi Local Municipality;
Cllr Clifton J Groep, the Mayor of the Naledi Local Municipality;
Mr Modisenyane Thompson Segapo, former Municipal Manager of the Naledi Local Municipality;
Mr Aobakwe Mathonsi, member of the ANC Regional Executive Committee in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region and Special Advisor to the Executive Mayor of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality;
Ms Doreen Mariri, Community Liaison Officer at the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality;
Mr Dithole Hendrick Moate, Director: Capacity Building at the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA);
Ms Elizabeth Mmaloago Mmutle, Director: Municipal Finance at the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA); and
The Premier of the North West Province, Hon Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi.
The hearings were conducted at the Sun City Convention Centre and streamed live on the North West Provincial Legislature’s official Facebook account in line with the Legislature’s commitment to openness, transparency and public participation.

Throughout the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, emphasis has consistently been placed on the Committee’s commitment to executing its mandate independently, impartially and without fear or favour.

The Committee’s work has further been guided by the principles of fairness, transparency and natural justice, with all evidence presented before the Committee being considered objectively and without prejudging any party or outcome.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the Committee met this morning and received an analysis report presented by the Committee’s legal team, led by Adv Pule Seleka SC, relating to possible instances of perjury arising from witness testimonies presented before the Committee during the hearings process.

The report analysed divergent issues arising from the testimonies of various witnesses and further outlined the legal team’s conclusions and recommendations on matters relating to possible perjury.

The report identified multiple contradictions in the testimonies of certain witnesses and recommended that matters relating to possible perjury be referred to the National Director of Public Prosecutions for further consideration in respect of witnesses.

Following deliberations on the contents of the report, the Committee adopted the report with recommended amendments arising from its deliberative processes.

This briefing is intended to provide an update on the direction of the next phases of the Committee’s work, including any further procedural processes, in line with the Committee’s mandate and the Standing Rules of the North West Provincial Legislature.

Further communication regarding the work of the Ad Hoc Committee will be issued as appropriate.

ENDS

ENDS

For media enquiries, contact:

Vuyisile Ngesi

Manager: Communications, Library and Registry Services

North West Provincial Legislature

072 588 2796 | vuyisilen@nwpl.org.za

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