"I took the road less travelled as I sought to prioritise the needs of our people over various competing interests. At times, very lonely and riddled with difficulty as we confronted poverty, unemployment and inequality head-on," Job Mokgoro said. "I wish to take this opportunity to thank the people of the North West for their vote of confidence, their support and encouragement over the last three years. "The opportunity to serve the people of the North West would not have arisen if it were not for the ANC, the party that I serve. My gratitude is directed therefore to the ANC, collective leadership headed by President Cyril Ramaphosa." The ANC North West interim committee wants to replace Mokgoro with veteran Bushy Maape.

Briefing media on Thursday, 26 August 2021, Mokgoro said he will officially hand over his resignation letter later in the day. Earlier this week, ANC deputy secretary-general said Mokgoro agreed to step down, but would only do so after meeting with Ramaphosa. “Mr Mokgoro has agreed to resign, he has given us that, even to me personally when I met him. He has also today met treasurer-general [Paul Mashatile] of the ANC, and made that commitment. He is awaiting a meeting with the president, which is fine … We have no problem with that and he has indicated that immediately after that meeting, he will tender his resignation letter. I do have a written message from him that assures me that he will be resigning,” she said.

Job Mokgoro has been at loggerheads with the IPC for quite some time: The 72 year-old along with four other members of the ANC in the provincial legislature, Job Dliso, Bitsa Lenkopane, Aaron Motswana and Priscilla Williams have had their memberships in the ANC suspended. This is after they voted with the opposition back in January 2021, during a sitting in which they were electing a chair of chairs in the legislature. Mokgoro replaced Supra Mahumapelo as North West Premier in 2018, after he was forced to resign in the wake of protests which were calling for his removal from office. Mahumapelo, who has been fingered in corruption allegations, remains an important figure in the ANC and is currently serving in Parliament.