North West’s Viola Motsumi removed from Education department in cabinet reshuffle

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has announced changes to his Executive Council, with three MECs affected in the latest reshuffle.

Briefing the media in Mahikeng on Wednesday, Mokgosi said the reshuffle is aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening the provincial government’s performance.

Announcing the changes, the premier confirmed his appointment of the current provincial Legislature Speaker, Desbo Mohono, as the new MEC for Education, replacing Viola Motsumi.

Wessels Morweng has been moved from the Community Safety portfolio to Sports, Arts and Culture.

Morweng has experience in the portfolio, having served as director for Recreation Management at the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, where he also served as a Media Liaison Officer before becoming Head of MEC Office.

He was also appointed Acting CEO of the Mmabana Foundation before serving in the executive.

Morweng’s old position will now be occupied by Virginia Tlhapi, following her appointment as the new MEC for Community Safety.

The rest of the North West Executive Council remains largely unchanged.

Madoda Sambatha remains MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, while Gaoage Molapisi retains the Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs portfolio.

Bitsa Lenkopane remains MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, while Kenetswe Mosenogi continues as MEC for Finance.

Sello Lehari remains MEC for Health, while Elizabeth Mokua retains the Public Works and Roads portfolio.

Susanna Dantjie also remains MEC for Social Development.

MOTSUMI VS MOKGOSI

The ousted MEC was previously recorded making condescending statements about Mokgosi during a conversation with former African National Congress Youth leader Collen Maine. 

Maine was also MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture in 2024, but was removed less than a year into the job. He  was appointed deputy speaker of the provincial legislature. 

The pair appeared to be unaware that the cameras were still rolling after the State of the Province Address in the legislature. 

The two are said to be on opposing sides of the North West ANC leadership, with Motsumi reportedly a key member of the faction supporting provincial chairperson Nono Maloyi. 

In the now-deleted video, Motsumi and Maine appear to vehemently reject the unity slate proposed by Molapisi, who is the party’s elections head. 

Speaking to News24 shortly after the recording went viral, Mokgosi’s spokesperson Sello Tatai said the Premier was not aware of the video and the alleged remarks made by the former MECs.