NORTH WEST LEGISLATURE STANDING COMMITTEE PROCESSES PETITIONS TO STRENGTHEN ACCOUNTABILITY AND SERVICE DELIVERY

The North West Provincial Legislature Standing Committee on Legislative Review, Petitions and Implementation of Resolutions of the House, chaired by Hon. Tebogo Modise, held a two-day session with petitioners at the Signal Hill Community Hall in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District to consider petitions relating to education infrastructure, governance, electricity provision, agricultural development and municipal service delivery.

The petition process is a vital constitutional mechanism that enables communities to seek the intervention of the Provincial Legislature where concerns raised with municipalities, provincial departments or other public institutions have not been adequately addressed.
Among the matters considered was a petition relating to delays in the completion of infrastructure at Bosugakobo Primary School in Dinokana. The meeting was attended by the MEC for Education, Hon. Viola Motsumi, who informed the Committee that the project was implemented through the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and involved the construction and refurbishment of classrooms, a library, a science laboratory, a computer centre, an administration block, an NSNP kitchen, a playground and the provision of new school furniture.

MEC Motsumi explained that the project was delayed following the placement of the North West Province under administration in 2018, which resulted in the suspension of infrastructure projects, as well as disruptions experienced at the construction site. She advised the Committee that construction resumed in 2022 and that the project was completed and officially handed over on 31 July 2023.

The Committee also considered a petition requesting an investigation into the appointment of members of the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE). After noting that the matter is currently before the Tribunal, the Committee resolved to obtain all relevant documentation relating to the recruitment and appointment process, including the advertisement, shortlisting report, reasons for the postponement of interviews, the appointment recommendation report and a status report on the matter before the Tribunal.

The Committee further considered a petition relating to the allocation of agricultural land, where the petitioner alleged that although his application for a farm was approved in 2016 after successfully completing the required processes, the property was instead allocated to another beneficiary. The Committee requested the Department to submit the approval letter, a detailed report explaining the allocation process and reasons for the apparent discrepancy, together with all correspondence relating to the matter. The Chairperson expressed dissatisfaction with the Department’s response and emphasised the need for full accountability.

A further petition highlighted the lack of electricity in Bakubung Village, where residents have reportedly been without electricity for approximately eight years. The Committee resolved to summon Eskom and the Mahikeng Local Municipality to account for the continued delays and to provide detailed plans on the implementation of the electrification project.
The Committee also heard a petition from residents of Extension 39 in Mahikeng regarding persistent flooding caused by the absence of an adequate stormwater drainage system. The Committee directed that the Executive Mayor of the Mahikeng Local Municipality and the Department of Human Settlements appear before it to provide progress reports, implementation plans and timeframes for resolving the matter.

The Committee commended residents for utilising lawful and peaceful democratic processes to raise their concerns and encouraged communities across the province to continue using the petition system to seek intervention on matters affecting their lives.
Hon. Modise said the Committee remains committed to ensuring that government institutions are held accountable for responding to the legitimate concerns of communities.

“The petition process is more than a constitutional right—it is a practical tool that gives communities a direct voice in the Legislature. Our responsibility is to ensure that departments, municipalities and public entities account for their actions and respond meaningfully to the concerns of our people. We will continue to follow up on every resolution until communities receive the services and responses they deserve,” said Hon. Modise.

The Committee concluded that it will continue monitoring the implementation of resolutions arising from the petitions and will ensure that all relevant departments, municipalities and public entities account for progress made in addressing the matters raised by petitioners.

Ends

Issued on behalf of the Standing Committee on Legislative Review, Petitions and Implementation of Resolutions of the House – Hon. Tebogo Modise
To arrange interviews with the Chairperson, please contact Ms Namhla Luhabe on 079 527 6289.

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