He stated that the allegations are unfounded and misleading.

The allegations stem from claims that North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi, who was standing in for Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, had misled the Portfolio Committee on the Premier and Finance during a recent engagement regarding the selection of candidates for senior departmental posts.

The premier’s spokesperson, Sello Tatai, said they had taken note of the allegations but deemed it necessary to clarify the facts, as there were no misrepresentations to the Provincial Legislature committee.

According to Tatai, during a meeting with the Portfolio Committee on the Premier and Finance held on 5 June, the Accounting Officer from the office of the Premier presented a report that accurately reflected the status of the appointments.

“The administration was awaiting the decision of the Premier/Acting Premier on the appointment of Heads of Departments for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, and that of Education,” he said.

Tatai emphasised that the report clearly indicated all recommended candidates were male, and therefore, there was no attempt to withhold information.

He further clarified that although decisions on the appointments had been made, they were still subject to necessary administrative processes.

“This being the case, the Acting Premier could not pronounce on the appointments as decided then, until assurances were made that such administrative processes had been concluded,” he said.

Tatai further stated that Mosenogi did not make any declarations in the committee meeting that could amount to misleading the legislature or committing perjury.

‘Improve gender representation, inclusivity in senior management’

“She was, however, duty-bound to allow administrative processes to be concluded before making any representations to the committee about the HoDs’ appointments.”

Moreover, Mosenogi reportedly acknowledged the gender disparity during the meeting.

“The Acting Premier has publicly acknowledged in the committee meeting the need to improve gender representation and inclusivity in the senior management echelons, and that the current statistics are regrettable and must be corrected,” Tatai said.

Committee has requested urgent investigations

He reaffirmed the Office of the Premier’s commitment to transformation goals - including gender, disability, and youth representation – rejecting the claims of misconduct and perjury as unfounded and misleading. He said they remain committed to ethical leadership, which includes governance practices such as transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on the Premier and Finance, Nathan Oliphant, confirmed that the committee has requested urgent investigations by the Commission for Gender Equality and the Public Service Commission. These investigations aim to determine whether recruitment and selection procedures were properly followed during the appointment process for the HoDs of Education and Economic Development.

Oliphant said the Director-General in the Office of the Premier, Paul Mogotlhe, during a follow-up meeting acknowledged that while recruitment notices for the HoD roles – including the post in Social Development – encouraged applications from women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities, the outcome did not reflect this intention. The selection panel recommended only male candidates for Economic Development and two males alongside one female candidate for Education. Ultimately, two male HoDs were appointed.

“We have noted with concern the continuing underrepresentation of women in senior roles.”

Oliphant added that only 127 women currently occupy senior positions (level 13 and above) across provincial departments and entities, compared to 324 men.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg