North West Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape was reported to have been recovering from a minor orthopedic surgery in June. The North West Provincial Government sent out a statement informing the public about the premier's admission to Wilmed Park Hospital in Klerksdorp for a minor orthopedic procedure. "The surgery was successful and Premier Maape is recuperating well, and the doctors are happy with his recovery. Members of the Executive Council and the Office of the Premier have sent their good wishes to Premier Maape, who is due to resume his normal official schedule in the coming week," the statement read. However, ZiMoja has learned from a close friend in the political circles that after the knee procedure, while still in the hospital, Maampe was hit by a stroke and remained in ICU for over a month.

STANDING IN

During his hospital stay, North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Nono Maloyi, was appointed acting premier while Maape recovered from the surgery. Maloyi was appointed to the provincial legislature in November last year after a vacancy created by the resignation of Onica Medupe as a legislature member.

AT A REHAB CENTRE

According to the political ally, Maape has been hospitalised for over a month. "During the knee procedure, he had a stroke and remained in ICU. He was not recovering well, as the statement implied," he says. "He has not been able to speak or walk. He recently got discharged from the hospital and is currently at a rehabilitation facility learning to walk. "The friend who does not wish to be named due to fear of intimidation says, "Maape's illness worked in Maloyi's favour," he says. "Also, how could Maape have appointed someone in his place as acting premier while he is in ICU. But we are grateful that he is recovering well and we pray he will be back on his feet again and attend to his duties."

HIRING AND FIRING

Maape had placed Social Development MEC Boitumelo Moiloa and the head of the department, Relebohile Mofokane, on "special leave" due to their struggle to work together in May. He has allegedly placed the department's service delivery and good governance at risk, and had resulted in "near administrative paralysis". Since Maape's sick leave and inability to walk which has not been announced by the department, Maloyi has appointed Lazarus Mokgosi as the new MEC of Social Development. In a statement sent out, Maloyi says, "I wish to take this opportunity to inform the people of the North West of my decision in terms of Section 132 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic to effect changes in the composition of the Provincial Executive Council by releasing Honourable Boitumelo Moiloa from her position as a Member of the Executive responsible for Social Development. Honorable Lazarus Mokgosi will take over as the new MEC for Social Development with effect from 12 July 2023," Maloyi says. The HoD for the Department, Mr. Relebohile Mafokane remains on leave. Acting HoD Mongale will continue with his acting role until the end of July 2023. The intervention is making positive progress and nearing completion. The public will be informed in due course of the outcome of various areas of intervention in the Department. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Honorable Moiloa for her contribution during her tenure at MEC. I congratulate the new MEC and wish him all of the best as he assumes his new position as a Member of the Executive Council responsible for Social Development."