Opposition parties, however, have dismissed the reshuffle as a political exercise aimed at settling internal ANC scores. Viola Motsumi has been removed as education MEC and moved to the position of Speaker of the North West Legislature, while former speaker Dr Desbo Mohono takes over the education portfolio.

Wessels Morweng moves from community safety and transport management to arts, culture, sports and recreation, while Virginia Tlhapi becomes the new MEC for community safety and transport management. 

Premier Lazarus Mokgosi rejected suggestions during his quarterly address that the changes were prompted by poor performance.

“Anybody who is at the behest of the premier, that’s what we should also understand. Now if the premier decides tomorrow that, based on the following, discussed with the respective MEC and agreed upon, I’ve decided to make a change not based on performance. 

“So performance cannot be a determining factor of changing MECs. There can be a variety of matters that push the premier to make the change,” Mokgosi said.

The reshuffle comes months after Motsumi was allegedly recorded during the state of the province address making remarks about Mokgosi, who is also the ANC deputy provincial chairperson. The video circulated widely on social media and reportedly captured a conversation between Motsumi and deputy speaker Collen Maine in which she expressed hostility towards the premier.

Motsumi later confirmed to the Guardian newspaper that she had written a letter apologising to ANC provincial secretary Louis Diremelo, the ANC and the public. 

ANC provincial spokesperson Tumelo Maruping said the reshuffle was intended to strengthen the capacity of both government and the legislature to serve North West residents.

EFF spokesperson in North West Fanon Moema accused Mokgosi of using the reshuffle to settle political scores rather than improve service delivery. He argued that moving MECs between departments made little sense if the broader concern was poor service delivery across the provincial executive.

DA provincial leader Freddy Sonakile said the reshuffle was more about power than governance and argued that Mokgosi was demonstrating that he still controlled the executive. 

ActionSA said residents needed action rather than recycled politicians, while MPL Masego Kodisang warned the new education MEC would inherit serious problems in schools.

Without sustainable electricity

“The new education MEC inherits serious failures. At Dikeledi Makapan Primary School in Moretele, in April I found cracked walls, broken tiles, collapsing ceilings and shattered windows. ActionSA first raised these concerns on 18 February 2026, yet learners and educators remain exposed to serious safety risks,” Kodisang said.

Kodisang also said Rantebeng II Primary School had been without a sustainable electricity solution since 2021. 

Electricity costs exceeded R5,000 a month, debt rose above R100,000, and services were eventually disconnected. These were among the problems the new education MEC would have to tackle, she said.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh

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