Great North Transport shuts down 200 routes over financial constraints

MOTETEMA

The Great North Transport bus company has announced that they will shut-down 200 bus routes in Limpopo Province due to financial constraints.

The government owned company stated that the decision to close the 200 routes was taken after they had discovered that they have lost R300 million in the past five years.

According to the company, the affected roads will include Motetema, Seshego, Giyani, Mokopane, Tzaneen and Makhado.

The closure is expected to leave hundreds of commuters who were relying on the company for daily trips in frustrations.

Earlier this month, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) announced that they are investigating the company on alleged corruption and maladministration after over R500 million in pension funds allegedly went missing.

SIU Spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, confirmed that some former contractors and board members at the bus company will be investigated.

“Proclamation 246 of 20 Greater North Transport authorizes the SIU to investigate allegations of eight contracts and maladministration of six contracts in the Great North Transport in Limpopo The SIU will investigate allegations of corruption of board members, officials, or employees of Great North Transport or suppliers and service providers,” he said.

SIU has recently received a proclamation from President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate 14 contracts that were allegedly irregularly awarded.

Great North Transport CEO, Matata Mokoele, said the company is in the process of procuring a new fleet of buses.

“We have been struggling to service several routes across the province. The reason being that we have a shortage of buses. Most of the buses are old and as a result, we are experiencing breakdowns daily and when the buses break down, we are already depleted in terms of the fleet it creates, that is a problem for us.” he said.