Central SA
North West Education MEC: ‘I never received invite from SAHRC’─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 14:07 Mon, 17 Mar 2025
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, has responded to reports about her absence from a South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) hearing on scholar transport issues.
Motsumi said she never received an invitation to appear before the commission and only became aware of the summons after the hearing took place.
Various stakeholders were summoned to the SAHRC hearing last. Motsumi’s absence raised concerns among commission officials. SAHRC Provincial Manager Shirley Mlombo criticised her non-attendance, stressing the need for accountability at all levels, particularly from executive authorities.
“As the South African Human Rights Commission, we are concerned that the MEC is absent, given the seriousness of the matter and the need for accountability beyond just accounting officers,” said Mlombo. “It’s important to allow the MEC to formally address us before we determine our position on her absence.”
The SAHRC reportedly invited the North West Department of Education in January, but Motsumi denied receiving it. She explained that her department had only received an invitation in February from Special Olympics South Africa for an event in Italy.
“As the North West MEC for Education, I never received an invitation from SAHRC,” said Motsumi. “Since becoming MEC, I have never been absent from any commission session.
“I have a good relationship with the SAHRC and have worked with them on various issues, especially infrastructure challenges. There are still reports to be presented before the commission, so I was unaware of any invite.”
She said she only learned about the invitation while already in Italy, after acting HOD Prince Masilo was asked about scholar transport challenges. Masilo then checked whether she had submitted an apology to the commission.
Motsumi also clarified that North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi approved her trip to Italy. Public Works MEC Elizabeth Mokua has been appointed the acting MEC in her absence.
Adding to the controversy, The Citizen reported that Motsumi and Arts, Culture, Sport, and Recreation MEC Virginia Tlhapi had spent R92,000 of taxpayers’ money on attire for the Italy event. Motsumi denied this, saying her team had received clothing from Special Olympics South Africa and that no departmental funds had been used.
She also said that the stadiums in Turin, where learners were competing, were close to their hotels and that only two cars were used for transport. She was not allocated a private vehicle.
