The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, chaired by Freddy Sonakile, has expressed its serious concern regarding a video that is circulating on social media.
In the video, the MEC for the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, is shown confronting individuals who are allegedly occupying the George Dick Montshioa Airport formerly known as Mafikeng Airport without authorisation.
“While we commend the MEC for his hands-on approach and visible oversight, the incident has raised deeply troubling questions that demand immediate investigation and full accountability,” said Sonakile.
The committee has urgently written to Morweng to initiate a thorough investigation into the matter and to submit a comprehensive report outlining the facts, remedial actions, and steps to prevent such breaches in the future.
The committee noted that George Dick Montshioa Airport is under 24-hour security surveillance by Eagle Eye Security and has a full-time site manager to oversee operations.
“It is, therefore, wholly unacceptable and implausible to suggest that no one within the department or at the airport was aware of individuals occupying state property, allegedly without paying rent.
“To assert ignorance in this case would be tantamount to attempting to pull wool over the public’s eyes. The Committee will not accept vague explanations or deflections,” Sonakile.
The leaders have requested a report from the department to determine whether there is an aviation school at George Dick Montshioa Airport and whether any lease agreements exist with relevant individuals or entities.
In addition, the committee is investigating the role of the Department of Public Works and Roads as the custodian of government properties in this context.
Sonakile expressed concern that if there are no valid lease agreements and no rental income has been collected while individuals have been using state property without compensation, then accountability must be enforced promptly and decisively.
“Permitting unauthorised and rent-free occupation of government property not only undermines the rule of law but opens the door to corruption, mismanagement, and the erosion of public trust.
“The committee is clear that in the absence of firm and visible consequences, the MEC and the department will be left to fight fires every week. The time for soft approaches is over. The people of the North West deserve transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public assets,” said the Chairperson.
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