The Northern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and transparency through a series of key oversight reports before the Portfolio Committee on COGHSTA, at the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature during March 2026. 
Led by MEC Bentley Vass, the Department actively participated in oversight reporting activities, allowing the honourable members of the Portfolio Committee to engage the reports as presented.
On 4 March 2026, MEC Vass and Senior Management team presented the Department’s Annual Performance Report for the period 2024/2025 to the Joint sitting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and the Portfolio Committee on COGHSTA, during which the Department highlighted its achievements and provided reasons for not realizing certain planned objectives.
During the engagement, MEC Vass highlighted progress across the Department’s four core programmes, Corporate Management, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs – where he stated that “Accountability is not a compliance exercise; it is a commitment to the people of the Northern Cape. We must continuously reflect on our performance and take decisive action where improvements are required.”
In strengthening Cooperative Governance, the MEC called for legislative support in implementing the Municipal 10-Point Plan, a targeted and time bound intervention designed to improve the quality of municipal services throughout the province. In addition, the MEC delineated that “Improving municipal performance requires a coordinated effort. The Municipal 10-Point Plan is a practical intervention, but its success depends on collaboration across all spheres of government.”
Regarding Human Settlements, the MEC gave progress report on the Pledging Project (R1 billion housing), where he outlined why houses could not be delivered within the planned project timelines. To rectify the shortcomings experienced within the housing project, the MEC announced that the department has implemented consequence management resulting in six contractors terminated. Processes are underway to appoint 12 new contractors to speed up service delivery.
Emphasizing the housing needs in the province as a pressure point facing the provincial government, the MEC said “We cannot allow delays to undermine the dignity of our people. Where contractors fail to deliver, we will act decisively to ensure that projects move forward and communities receive the housing they deserve.”
Concerning traditional affairs, the MEC affirmed the important role of traditional leaders in advancing community development and promoting traditions, customs and culture in partnership with strategic role players through the District Development Model.
On 18 March 2026, the Department presented the Section 47 Consolidated Municipal Performance Report for the 2023/2024 financial year to the Portfolio Committee. The report reflected overall municipal performance and compliance. The MEC was concerned about the state of local government in the province as some municipalities are experiencing Senior Management high vacancy rate, lack of compliance and good governance, resulting in lack of service delivery. However, some municipalities obtained improved audit performance.
Addressing the Committee, MEC Vass underscored that fixing local government is a shared responsibility and appealed the members of the Portfolio Committee to invite some municipalities to account.
He (MEC) emphasized the need to strengthen capacity building, development and training initiatives by partnering with institutions of higher learning, particularly the potential role of Sol Plaatje University in empowering councillors.
As part of its quarterly oversight reporting, on 26 March 2026, the department presented Quarter 3 Performance Report of the 2025/2026 period to the Portfolio Committee, during which the MEC and the team gave a picture of the department’s performance. The department improved its performance in First House Finance, Tittle deeds, Capacity Building and Employment Opportunities created through CWP. However, housing delivery remains a challenge that the department committed to turn around speedily.
The Department was praised by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on behalf of the members for promptly responding to the requests of the committee and continuous support in executing its mandate.
