SUN CITY / VRYBURG — Former Naledi Local Municipality director of corporate services Thabo Appolus told the North West Provincial Legislature’s ad-hoc committee that Municipal Manager Modisenyane Segapo “does not have qualifications.” But under questioning, he acknowledged most of his information is hearsay by Mr. Sejake and the Anonymous Whistleblower and was never used in his court papers to challenge Segapo’s appointment. However, he stressed that the issue of Mr. Segapo’s qualifications formed part of his founding court papers 10 months before the meeting of the 2nd of April 2025.

Appolus appeared on Thursday, 27 November 2025, as the committee continued its inquiry into allegations first raised publicly by Naledi Mayor Cllr Clifton J. Groep during a September 2025 parliamentary Joint Committee visit to the province. Naledi Local Municipality’s audience with the committee dramatically paused when the mayor read WhatsApp messages into the record and the matter was moved off-camera. Mr. Appolus referred to that incident as unfortunate, and went on to call out Honourable Groep as a gossiper.  

The “bombshell” meeting at the heart of his story

Appolus centred his evidence on what he called an April 2, 2025 meeting in Ganyesa that he says was arranged by Thabo “Boyboy” Sejake (assistant manager at Naledi & Dr. RSM District ANC REC Member), who he considers as his “informant”. According to Appolus, Sejake arrived holding an envelope that contained an anonymous letter and documents said to be Segapo’s transcript and certificate.

Appolus told the committee the documents raised red flags, alleging that:

• the pages appeared to be copies of certified copies, with a faded certification stamp he said came from the former Bophirima District Council;

• the transcript referenced Vista University, reflected 14 modules and stated it was a completed course for university admission, which he argued is insufficient for a B Juris degree;

• the bundle, he said, showed a fax date of November 2003; and

• there is no paper trail of certified qualifications from Segapo’s earlier posts and that certification is typically valid for three months.

Appolus further alleged Sejake told him that Segapo failed matric in 1990 and repeated in 1991, which, in Appolus’s view, clashes with the transcript dates. “May I speak classroom English… He does not have qualifications,” Appolus said.

Contradictory versions and motives disputed

Sejake’s earlier testimony painted a different picture: he said he was invited by (then Chief Whip, now Premier) Lazarus Mokgosi to a meeting linked to Naledi issues and that he briefly left the room, after which the meeting ended.

Appolus disputed that, insisting Sejake convened the meeting, called the material a “bombshell”, and travelled with Premier Mokgosi, Doreen Mariri (Dr. RSM District ANC REC Treasurer) and Aobakwe “Baks” Mathonzi (Dr. RSM District ANC REC Member) to deliver it. He also suggested Sejake had workplace disciplinary troubles, implying a possible motive to discredit Segapo.

The key concession: inadmissibility of the “bombshell”

Pressed by the evidence leader, Appolus conceded that the material he described was turned down by his lawyer advising that it would be inadmissible, which is why none of it was included in his court applications seeking to remove Segapo.

He also criticised the September parliamentary visit, saying the “gorilla in the room” (the SMS allegations) derailed accountability on service delivery and finances, and that Naledi residents lost an opportunity to hear how their municipality was managing public money.

Where the process stands

• The Legislature has extended the ad-hoc committee’s mandate to 31 March 2026 to complete witness appearances and compile a report.

• Appolus is expected to continue his evidence when hearings resume.

• Separately, the Supreme Court of Appeal recently handed down a judgment in litigation involving Naledi; Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, At a media briefing on 2 December 2025 has urged the council to implement the ruling swiftly or face potential provincial intervention in terms of the law.

Right of reply and verification

The allegations aired before the committee remain unproven. Mr Segapo and all persons named retain their right of reply, and verification of academic records ultimately rests with the relevant universities and authorities.

-The VIP Team 

-NWPL

-NWPG