Latest news with #WesselsMorweng
The Citizen
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Rejected applicants allege nepotism in traffic programme
Young applicants claim they were sidelined in favour of politically connected candidates in a North West traffic learnership programme. The management of North West department of community safety and transport has been accused of nepotism for allegedly recruiting government officials' relatives for a traffic learnership programme and ignoring young people with no such connections. The squabble between the young people and the department began last month. The unsuccessful applicants approached local community leaders and political parties for help. Unsuccessful applicants approached leaders for help One of the applicants, who asked not to be named due to fears of reprisal, said some officials in the department had told them they were intentionally being sidelined to make way for politically connected individuals. 'In March this year, the department advertised vacancies for traffic officers' learnerships,' said the angry young man. 'We applied and were called for interviews. But none of us was recruited despite meeting all the requirements. ALSO READ: North West's Madibeng municipality appeals ruling to reinstate 'suspended' official 'The insider told us that they replaced us with family members of ANC and government officials. 'We need authorities to investigate the matter.' Another source close to the situation said when Wessels Morweng took over as the MEC, he instructed the officials to re-advertise the vacancies and 'that is where things went wrong'. 'Where things went wrong' The source said: 'Most applicants who were not recruited met all the advertised requirements. 'We were told that CVs arrived after the closing date, so they continued with the recruitment process to accommodate them.' The Citizen has seen a document showing that out of 34 applicants, eight who were recruited were close family members and former members of the ANC. ALSO READ: These two provinces need R160 million to fix damaged healthcare facilities In a letter of complaint signed by 14 unsuccessful applicants, they requested the portfolio committee to investigate their allegations of nepotism. 'We are writing to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding the irregularities and unfair selection of candidates in the recent [process/selection/event] conducted by the office of the MEC for the learnership programme. 'Despite meeting the required qualifications and criteria, we were not selected, and we have reason to believe that the process was compromised by nepotism and favouritism,' the letter read. Nepotism and favouritism 'The specific irregularities we wish to bring to your attention include a lack of transparency in the selection process, favouritism shown to certain candidates with apparent connections to officials and disregard for established criteria and fairness. 'These irregularities undermine the principles of meritocracy and equal opportunity.' The applicants asked that the relevant authorities investigate the allegations, review the selection process and take corrective measures to ensure fairness and transparency. ALSO READ: Ousted speaker in hot water for refusing to vacate post Chair of the portfolio committee in the provincial legislature Freddy Sonakile confirmed the matter was brought to his attention. 'We have written to the affected department to account fully for the issues raised,' he said. 'The committee will assess all relevant documentation and decide on a way forward. Matter brought to chair's attention 'Where there is evidence of wrongdoing, we will not hesitate to recommend remedial action or refer to oversight institutions such as the Public Service Commission and the Public Protector. 'The committee remains committed to clean governance, merit-based appointments and protecting the integrity of public programmes meant to benefit the people, especially the youth of our province,' said Sonakile. Charles Matlou, the departmental media liaison officer, denied the allegations. ALSO READ: 'Looting using matric papers': Why did NW printing job price jump by around R100m? 'The positions were advertised and the process to select candidates was embarked upon. 'This was done in line with the Public Service Regulations on employment processes and procedures. 'Since then, there have been numerous allegations of wrongdoing and no-one has come forward with any evidence. Numerous allegations of wrongdoing 'No applicant is required to disclose any relation to any specific public representative and/or their parents or spouses. 'Therefore, we cannot say whether any of the candidates is related to any politician and/or officials.'
News24
14-07-2025
- News24
‘Deeply troubling': 12 lives lost on North West roads over tragic weekend
A series of road accidents across the North West between 11 and 13 July claimed 12 lives, with cases of culpable homicide under investigation. Fatal crashes included a head-on collision involving four vehicles on the N4 near Groot Marico, which claimed five lives, and another deadly crash on the N18 near Mahikeng, which killed four. MEC Wessels Morweng emphasised that reckless driving and overtaking were key contributors to the weekend's tragedies. A devastating weekend on North West roads claimed the lives of 12 people between Friday and Sunday. The tragic series of accidents has raised fresh concerns over road safety in the province. The North West community safety and transport department confirmed the fatalities on Monday morning, detailing a string of horrific incidents across the region. MEC Wessels Morweng expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. Morweng also confirmed that culpable homicide cases are under investigation for each incident. The first tragedy unfolded on Friday on the N14 near Tshing in Ventersdorp, where one person lost their life. Later that evening, a catastrophic head-on collision involving four vehicles on the N4 near Groot Marico claimed five more lives. READ | Four women killed in N4 multi-vehicle crash in Mpumalanga The crash occurred when two delivery vehicles, reportedly from the same company and with one towing the other, overtook illegally across a barrier line. They collided with two oncoming vehicles, and four women and one man were killed at the scene. The injured occupants of the delivery vehicles were transported to a hospital. The death toll rose again on Saturday when a pedestrian died in a hit-and-run outside Potchefstroom on the N12, heading towards Stilfontein. On Sunday evening, another head-on collision occurred between a light sedan and a light delivery vehicle on the N18 near Setlagole. Tragically, all four occupants of the sedan – three men and one woman – died at the scene. The sedan was reportedly overtaking when the collision occurred. READ | Western Cape roads: 23 people killed in a week, 57 arrested for drunk driving In a separate incident near Madiba Makgabana village, a vehicle travelling towards Mafikeng struck a stray cow. Another vehicle, closely following behind, hit the same animal. Three occupants sustained serious injuries, while a child travelling with them died at the scene. 'In total, the weekend's road accidents resulted in 12 confirmed fatalities,' Morweng stated. 'The loss of so many lives in one weekend is deeply troubling,' he said. He added, 'We call on motorists to exercise caution and always obey road rules. Recklessness costs lives.' He has urged all road users to remain alert when travelling on high-traffic national routes.
The South African
22-04-2025
- The South African
Six killed in head-on collision in North West
Six people have died in a horrific head-on collision on the R49 road between Zeerust and Kopfontein Port of Entry in the North West. The accident happened at approximately 21:45 on Sunday, 20 April. According to the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, four of the deceased are from one vehicle. Two of the three from the second vehicle involved in the head-on collision survived and were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. However, one of the survivors succumbed on Monday morning, bringing the total number of the deceased to six. The department said this brings the number of road accident fatalities to just below 50 and the second major crash in the province since the joint law enforcement operations commenced for Easter holidays on the 20th of March 2025. A case of culpable homicide is being investigated by the Nietverdiend Police Station in the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality. The MEC responsible for the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng sends deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes speedy recovery to the injured. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
