This following several compalins of service delivery at Ward 26.

The municipality hosted an Imbizo at Nyanyukani village under Ward 26, which is led by Councilor Thulani Shihahlule.

An imbizo promotes active involvement and participation of the public in the implementation of the government Intergrated Development Plan ( IDP).

Community members of the oldest village came with flames blazing at the meeting.

Residents asked the municipality what criteria they should use to qualify for service delivery?

Amongst their challenges are lack of water road infrastructure.

They lashed out at their Ward Councilor and accused him of being unprofessional and lacked empathy towards the needs of the community.

Mayor Gerrison Molapisane was a no-show due to his failure to fulfill past promises and instead assigned a Executive Member in governance and shared services counselor Richard Shingange to engage with the residents.

Acting Mayor Councilor Shingange tried to explain the difference between provincial and local municipality roads.

“We understand that during rainy season, roads are undrivable. However, as a municipality, we are not mandated to repair provincial roads. Local municipality roads are the ones that are within the community. The ones that connect or link villages and towns do not belong to us, ” said Acting Mayor Richard Shingange

Shingange pleaded with the Public Works Mopani Distric, who were invited to do their job. Because communities don’t understand the difference between their jurisdiction and dermacation in implementing IDP.

The department assured to attend to the matter after Easter holidays.

On the other hand, the power ulitity Eskom opted to avoid the public participation meeting.

Acting Mayor made the matter worse when he tried to explain how IDP works

“Local Municipalities are given 3 years to come with an IDP, and it is possible to be implemented by the incoming council, not us,” said Shingange

In simple terms, Mayor’s cannot implement their plans before fulfilling their predisecor’s IDP.

ANC has in the past apartheid governance been causing smoothly, especially in Mopani District Municipality.

Comparison with previous election results in Tzaneen, the ANC held a stronger position in 2016 with 52 seats out of the 69 available seats in council.

In 2011 elections, the ruling party held 59 seats, indicating a downward trend in total seat count over the last three Local Government Elections.

Currently, they have 51 seats, while EFF secured 9 and DA 5, Freedom Plus, African People’s Convention (APC) , and African Freedom Party(AFP) has one seat each.

Will the residents of Nyanyukani village and surrounding areas remain loyal to the ANC Norman Mashabane Region and endure the pain, it is yet to be testing in the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections to be announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa soon.

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The elected of Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, as the first female provincial Chairperson in the ANC, is a milestone achievement for women in politics.

The 11th provincial elective conference was held under the theme ” Advacing ANC Renewal Agenda for Decisive Victory and Accelerating the Democratic Revolution Trajectory.””

It is hosting more than one thousand members from all five district branches at Pieterburg Cricket Club at the heartbeat of the province.

Delegates elected the following members to lead them uncontested:

* Provincial Chairperson Dr. Phophi Ramathumba

* Provincial Deputy Chairperson John Makoro Mpe

* Provincial Secretary Musanda Reuben Madadzhe

* Provincial Deputy Secretary Pule Shai

* Provincial Treasurer Eddie Maila

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavhani couldn’t contain her excitement to congratulate the newly elected provincial Chairperson of the ruling party on social media

” The Chairperson of our time, fit for purpose. We are the descendants of the indomitable people Baobab tree. Those who walked ahead of us_ the pathfinders of our freedom, dared to cross the crocodile infested Limpopo for liberation. The liberation that made it possible for us to have a female chairperson of the ANC in the province for the very first time and in our lifetime, ” said Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Dr. Ramathuba has served the party as an MEC for health from 2015_2024.

She became premier of the province in 2024 by succeeding former Premier Stanley Mathabatha.

Mathabatha was deployed after Cassel Mathale leadership was dissolved in 2013 for allegedly bankrupting the province funds.

Dr. Ramathuba gained national attention for her outspoken remarks on the influx of illegal immigrants, especially Zimbabweans, for collapsing public healthcare.

She has distinguished her leadership skills as a firm and outspoken leader.

Grounded in healthcare experience, service delivery, and discipline

Her task as a Chairperson now is to unite the diverse members of the party before a tribalism valcono erupts in the Mopani region.

Limpopo is the only province in the country, where three indegingous tribes live peacefully.

Dominated by Bapedi, followed by Va_Tsonga and Vha_ Venda.

In 1996, the party held its provincial elective conference at Tivumbeni Multipurpose Center in Tzaneen, where ANC Veteran George Mashamba was elected as the provincial Chairperson, but was never allowed to become a premier.

Many members perceived it as a tribal issue. However, ANC leadership managed to surpass it.

The newly elected TOP 5 seems to have provoked the 1996 wounds amongst the Va_ Tsonga members within the organization.

It is now, upon the newly elected provincial Chairperson and collective, to address the issue of tribalism that has been overlooked for many years within the province.

The conference will on Saturday deliberate on internal issues and how to secure municipalities ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

It shall adjourned on Sunday.

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You can’t trash the Constitutional Court – the ultimate guardian of our democracy  and then try to smooth it over with polished diplomatic wording. That court isn’t some foreign advisory board; it’s the heartbeat of our sovereign republic. No ambassador, no matter where they’re from, gets to lecture or undermine it.

Let’s not forget the other side of the coin. Back in March 2025, under President Trump, the United States kicked out our ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and declared him persona non grata without a second thought. No apology. No soft words. Just swift, cold action.

So why should South Africa keep playing the polite, timid neighbour?

Diplomacy only works when it’s built on equality and give-and-take. If Washington can boot our envoy without blinking, we must be ready to do the same when theirs crosses the line and meddles in our affairs.

We’ve had enough of American envoys arriving with the attitude that they can school us on our own courts, our politics, and our hard-won history. South Africa is not a colony. Our democracy wasn’t built so outsiders could supervise it like some project.

The message needs to be loud and clear: respect us, or face exactly the same treatment you dish out to others. The days when foreign powers could bully this nation are finished.

South Africa belongs to its people. Our institutions are not up for debate by anyone in Washington.

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This comes after the committee tried to get subpoenas for forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and North West businessman Brown Mogotsi to testify in Cape Town. The National Assembly Speaker wasn’t keen on issuing them.

Nomvalo told reporters that some of these requests from witnesses are getting out of hand. For example, he pointed out that Mogotsi should provide a police report proving there’s a real security threat against him. “You can’t just act like a spoiled kid,” Nomvalo said. “Next thing you know, they’ll be demanding pizza, bacon, eggs, or even gifts for their girlfriends on Valentine’s Day.”

He stressed that there needs to be official confirmation from trained police about any dangers. Nomvalo also criticized the Speaker for not helping the committee use its powers under the Constitution, which allows Parliament to summon anyone for evidence.

Recently, O’Sullivan pushed back against Nomvalo and the MK Party after the MP said he should come back to South Africa to testify in person. O’Sullivan had offered to do it virtually from London and denied fleeing to avoid the committee.

Nomvalo called O’Sullivan’s attitude disrespectful. “He’s been threatening MPs and witnesses, showing no respect for Parliament,” he said. “We decided to subpoena him because he acts like he’s above it all, like a spoiled brat. He doesn’t get that things are different now with the MK Party involved, he’s not dealing with his old buddies he used to control.”

The committee is chaired by Molapi Soviet Lekganyane and is focused on these serious allegations.

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Where Day 1 established the framework, mandate and historical context of the inquiry, Day 2 moved deeper into the mechanics of alleged interference within law enforcement structures and the internal dynamics that, according to Mkhwanazi, undermined sensitive investigations.

The proceedings reinforced that the commission’s task is not limited to isolated incidents, but to examine whether systemic dysfunction has been deliberately engineered.

Continuation of Mkhwanazi’s evidence under oath

Mkhwanazi resumed his testimony by confirming that his evidence on Day 2 flowed directly from the written statement and annexures already placed before the commission. He reiterated that his appearance was not motivated by personal grievance or factional contestation, but by what he described as a sustained pattern of operational obstruction encountered across multiple policing environments.

Operational decisions and alleged manipulation of investigations

Day 2 focused heavily on decisions taken at senior management level that, according to Mkhwanazi, had the effect of weakening or derailing active investigations. He testified that in several instances, arrests authorised through established operational channels were followed by unexplained delays, changes in command responsibility, or the withdrawal of investigative resources.

Internal contestation and leadership instability

The testimony further addressed instability within key intelligence and operational units. Mkhwanazi described frequent leadership changes, suspensions and acting appointments that disrupted continuity and weakened institutional memory.

Role of intelligence structures examined

A significant portion of Day 2 examined the role of intelligence within SAPS. Mkhwanazi testified that intelligence reports identifying risks to investigations were at times disregarded or overridden.

Impact on investigator safety and morale

The commission was told that operational uncertainty had direct consequences for investigator safety and morale. Investigators working on politically linked cases reported feeling isolated and unsupported.

Clarification on scope and fairness of inquiry

Evidence leaders emphasised that the commission does not accept any version of events at face value and reaffirmed commitments to procedural fairness.

What Day 2 added to the overall picture

Day 2 built on the foundation laid on the opening day by shifting the focus from broad allegations to operational detail, suggesting possible systemic compromise if claims are substantiated.

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Day 1 centred on Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, whose earlier public allegations led to the establishment of the commission. His testimony placed institutional context, timelines and alleged patterns of political interference and criminal infiltration before the commission.

The inquiry is tasked with determining whether South Africa’s criminal justice system has been compromised through corruption, political influence and organised crime.

Opening submissions stressed impartiality, noting that the commission does not presume the truth or falsity of any allegation. All claims will be tested through sworn evidence, with implicated individuals afforded the right to respond. The commission further warned that obstruction of its work constitutes a criminal offence under the Commissions Act.

Mkhwanazi confirmed under oath that he had prepared and submitted a detailed written statement supported by annexures, which were formally admitted into evidence. He outlined his SAPS career before addressing the substance of the allegations that led to his July 2025 media briefing.

He explained that his public statements were based on investigative patterns, intelligence assessments and operational experience rather than speculation.

A significant portion of Day 1 focused on the Political Killings Task Team. Mkhwanazi traced its origins to earlier interventions in KwaZulu-Natal, explaining how political violence necessitated a specialised, multidisciplinary unit. The task team later expanded nationally as links between political violence and organised crime emerged.

The commission was presented with a timeline of material events, including the handling of more than 120 investigation dockets, arrests linked to high-profile cases, internal SAPS decisions affecting intelligence leadership, and the cancellation of contracts tied to politically exposed individuals.

Cellphone records obtained during arrests were said to reveal communication patterns suggesting possible political and institutional interference in investigations.

Mkhwanazi further testified that investigators experienced intimidation, unexplained engagements by senior officials and interference with forensic processes. Some investigators were allegedly offered inducements not to oppose bail applications, while others reported threats connected to individuals with links inside SAPS.

The commission acknowledged that certain evidence may initially appear hearsay but confirmed it would be tested through corroborating witnesses and documentation.

Day 1 concluded with the commission outlining a phased approach. The first phase will focus on detailed evidence from Mkhwanazi, followed by testimony from senior police officials, task team members, prosecutors and expert witnesses.

Transparency was reaffirmed as the default position, with limited closed sessions only where necessary to protect ongoing investigations.

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Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed that officials flagged by the commission will be temporarily suspended while investigations continue. He explained that a newly formed special task team will be responsible for probing allegations involving both SAPS members and officials from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.

The Presidency has expressed serious concern over the troubling claims emerging from the commission’s hearings. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the President is deeply disturbed by the conduct allegedly displayed by individuals entrusted with key leadership roles in law enforcement.

Following these developments, President Cyril Ramaphosa instructed Minister Cachalia and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to establish a dedicated unit to investigate all those implicated by the Madlanga Commission.

An interim report submitted to the President in December revealed preliminary evidence suggesting possible wrongdoing. As a result, the commission recommended that formal investigations be opened against several officers, including Major Generals Lesetja Senona and Richard Shibiri, Brigadiers Mbangwa Nkhwashu and Rachel Matjeng, as well as Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.

Magwenya noted that declining public confidence in law enforcement agencies is a major concern for the President. He said the decisive steps being taken are meant to reassure South Africans that accountability will be enforced and that no one is above the law.

He added that the revelations from the commission are unsettling for the country, especially as they involve leaders tasked with maintaining justice and public safety.

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DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh MP, said the exercise appears to be a continuation of the controversial MOSI III naval drills, which were postponed last year due to their political and diplomatic sensitivity ahead of South Africa’s G20 engagements.

Hattingh said the rebranding of the exercise does not change its substance, noting that it is led by China and includes participation by Russia and Iran, both of which are subject to international sanctions and are involved in active conflicts.

“Hosting and training with such forces cannot be described as neutral or non aligned. It is a political choice, whether the government admits it or not,” Hattingh said.

He argued that the use of the name Will for Peace is misleading, particularly at a time when China is conducting large scale military exercises related to Taiwan. According to Hattingh, South Africa’s stated policy of non alignment is losing credibility as government actions increasingly contradict official rhetoric.

The DA further said South Africa’s participation in BRICS was intended to advance economic cooperation, not to undermine the international rules based order through military alignment with what it described as rogue states.

Hattingh also raised concerns about South Africa’s deteriorating defence relationships with democratic partners, citing the cancellation of joint military exercises with the United States and the absence of US participation in recent defence exhibitions.

He said Parliament has not been properly briefed on Exercise Will for Peace 2026, including its costs, command structure, legal framework or diplomatic implications.

“These decisions affect South Africa’s foreign relations, trade, security and international reputation and cannot be made behind closed doors,” he said.

The DA announced that it will formally request a full parliamentary briefing on the exercise, including its objectives, participants, leadership and financial implications.

Hattingh said the SANDF’s primary responsibility is to defend South Africa and its people, not to serve as a platform for global power politics.

He warned that South Africa risks being drawn into geopolitical contests through its defence choices, adding that transparency and constitutional oversight are essential in shaping the country’s defence and foreign policy.

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The exercise, titled Will for Peace 2026, will take place in South African waters from 9 to 16 January and will include naval forces from China, Russia and Iran.

According to the SANDF, the joint drill is focused on maritime safety, interoperability and the protection of shared sea routes rather than combat operations. “Exercise Will for Peace 2026 brings together navies from BRICS Plus countries for an intensive programme of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection serials,” said Brigadier General Nditsheni Singo, Acting General Officer Commanding Joint Operational Headquarters of the South African National Defence Force.

He added that the exercise reflects a collective commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation and shared operational procedures in support of peaceful maritime security initiatives. The announcement comes amid political debate within South Africa over the country’s foreign policy posture and military cooperation with global partners.

Government has previously stated that South Africa follows a non aligned approach in its international relations and engages with multiple global blocs. Defence officials have emphasised that multinational military exercises are routine and aimed at skills development, coordination and maritime security rather than signalling political alignment.

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The exercises are expected to take place in early 2026 and involve joint maritime operations between the South African National Defence Force and naval forces from Iran and Russia.

The DA said participation in such drills sends conflicting signals about South Africa’s diplomatic posture at a time of heightened global tensions and increasing scrutiny of international alliances. Party representatives argued that South Africa should avoid military engagements that could be interpreted as taking sides in geopolitical conflicts.

They said the country’s foreign policy should prioritise peace building, neutrality and respect for international law, rather than actions that may be viewed as endorsing controversial state actors. The Department of Defence has not yet released detailed information on the objectives or scope of the planned exercises.

Government officials have previously defended joint military drills as routine engagements aimed at skills development, interoperability and maritime security. Critics however say the timing and choice of partners raise legitimate political and diplomatic questions. South Africa has repeatedly stated that it follows a non aligned approach in its international relations, maintaining ties across different global blocs. The debate around the naval exercises highlights ongoing tension between government policy and opposition concerns over South Africa’s global positioning.

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