A North West traditional leader has been accused of defying a directive from the Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Regulation (DMPR) and blocking a legally authorised mining project, according to a complaint lodged with the Public Protector.
In a letter dated April 20, the public protector’s office said it had assessed the complaint from Khunwana near Delarayville and referred it to the Department of Cooperative Governance for “more effective resolution”, adding the matter could be better handled there “with a view to facilitate discussions” between the mining company and the community.
The complaint, lodged on March 23 by community members from villages under the Barolong boo Ratlou baga Seitshiro Traditional Authority, alleges that Kgosi Motsaathebe Moshoette denied Sefala Investments (Pty) Ltd access to land where it holds a valid prospecting right.
Geologists from the company were turned away in early 2025, and access has been withheld for more than ten months without consultation with the broader community.
The DMPR intervened on November 25, ordering the Kgosi to convene a meeting between the company and the community before December 24 and to provide a report. Community members say no meeting was held.
Days earlier, on November 20, a delegation of community members met DMPR officials in Klerksdorp. At the start of that meeting, officials asked whether the delegation were “people who belonged to Jon”—a reference to Jon Modimogale, an individual who had reportedly accompanied the Kgosi to previous meetings.
The complaint alleges that around June 2025, the Kgosi introduced Modimogale at a community meeting as a preferred figure for mining activity, despite him holding no permit.
Broader governance failures
Modimogale allegedly funded the slaughtering of sheep and was overheard telling the Kgosi he “should give him what he wants, or he will know him well”.
On November 12, the DMPR convened a separate meeting attended by the prospecting right holder, the Kgosi, traditional council representatives, and an attorney from Tlou Attorneys.
Community members also allege broader governance failures, including that audited financial statements have not been presented for more than ten years and that decisions on land use were taken without transparency.
A November 2025 departmental record shows that community members confirmed Sefala Investments had consulted them before the prospecting right was granted.
The outstanding issue, they said, was clarity on when prospecting activities would begin—engagement expected to be facilitated through structures led by the Kgosi’s office.
Moshoette told Sunday World he needed authority from the traditional council before commenting and promised to respond after a meeting that was scheduled for last Wednesday.
By time of publication, his responses, together with those of cooperative governance MEC Saliva Molapisi and the DMPR, had not been received.
- A North West traditional leader, Kgosi Motsaathebe Moshoette, is accused of blocking Sefala Investments' legally authorized mining project by denying access to land despite a valid prospecting right.
- The Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Regulation (DMPR) directed the Kgosi to facilitate a meeting between the community and the mining company, but no meeting was held.
- Community members lodged a complaint citing governance failures, including lack of transparency in land use decisions and absence of audited financial statements for over ten years.
- Allegations include the Kgosi promoting Jon Modimogale, an unpermitted individual linked to intimidation tactics, as a preferred figure for mining activities.
- The Public Protector referred the complaint to the Department of Cooperative Governance to mediate and facilitate discussions between the mining company and community.
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In a letter dated April 20, the public protector’s office said it had assessed the complaint from
Geologists from the company were turned away in early 2025, and access has been withheld for more than ten months without consultation with the broader community.
Days earlier, on
Modimogale allegedly funded the slaughtering of sheep and was overheard telling the Kgosi he “should give him what he wants, or he will know him well”.
On
Community members also allege broader governance failures, including that audited financial statements have not been presented for more than ten years and that decisions on land use were taken without transparency.
A
By time of publication, his responses, together with those of cooperative governance MEC Saliva Molapisi and the DMPR, had not been received.
