MAHIKENG – The Ad Hoc Committee established by the North West Provincial Legislature to allegations of interference against Member(s) of the Legislature by the Mayor of Naledi Local Municipality, Cllr Clifton J Groep, has adopted a report relating to possible perjury by witnesses who appeared before the committee.

The investigation stems from allegations made by Mayor Groep regarding political interference in the appointment of Naledi Local Municipality Municipal Manager, Modisenyane Thompson Segapo. Questions surrounding Segapo’s qualifications resurfaced during testimony before the committee, which has been conducting hearings into the matter since late 2025.

Over four sitting days held at Sun City between 24 and 27 November 2025, the committee heard testimony from several witnesses, including Groep, former Naledi Director of Corporate Services and Administration Thabo Appolus, EFF MP Mothusi Montwedi, and Thabo “Boyboy” Sejake, an assistant manager at Naledi Local Municipality and ANC Regional Executive Committee member in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region.

The Legislature later extended the committee’s mandate to allow for the completion of outstanding evidence and deliberations. Additional witnesses who appeared before the committee during the January and February 2026 hearings included provincial government officials, municipal representatives, and North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi.

Addressing the media during a briefing held at the Legislature on Thursday, 07 May 2026, committee chairperson Hon. Nathan Oliphant confirmed that the committee had concluded and adopted a perjury report compiled by its legal team.

Hon. Oliphant said the report would be handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further investigation as the committee moves toward finalising its work. According to the chairperson, as many as five key witnesses may have been implicated in the report.

“The committee identified the implicated witnesses based on the facts that were presented. In a fact-finding mission, you would expect the truth from all witnesses to objectively assist the committee. It is a concern that these witnesses may have misled the committee,” Oliphant said.

The committee, established in terms of Rule 186 of the Legislature’s Standing Rules, has been investigating allegations of interference against members of the provincial legislature by the Naledi Local Municipality mayor. Public hearings began in November 2025 and continued into early 2026 following an extension of the committee’s mandate until 31 May 2026.

Several witnesses, including municipal officials, provincial government representatives, political figures, and North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi, testified during the hearings held at the Sun City Convention Centre.

Oliphant said the committee remained committed to conducting its work independently, fairly, and transparently. He also expressed confidence that the committee would conclude its investigation before the end of May 2026, after which a final report would be submitted to the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature.

The legal analysis report, presented by Adv Pule Seleka SC and the committee’s legal team, highlighted alleged contradictions in the testimonies of certain witnesses and recommended that possible perjury matters be referred to the National Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.

-The VIP Team

-NWPL