The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management chaired by Hon. Freddy Sonakile, welcomes the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management’s (COSATMA) commitment to resolving the long-standing issue of unpaid salaries for employees at NTI.
The Committee notes the development, presented on Monday, 06 January 2025 by MEC Wessels Morweng during a media briefing, which marks a long-overdue step toward justice for the affected workers.
In October last year, the Portfolio Committee resolved that the Department must prioritize the payment of NTI employees’ salaries as a matter of urgency, following a thorough verification process of personnel and work performed. Recognizing the challenges posed by the ongoing legal dispute between the Department and the Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP) which also includes NTI’s bank accounts, the Committee further recommended that an alternative account and process be utilized to facilitate salary payments while awaiting the court’s ruling.
Hon Sonakile stated that the workers of NTI have borne the brunt of the prolonged battle between the Department and the BRP. “It is unacceptable that employees, who are the lifeblood of the entity, have been left to suffer due to these disputes,”
“The assurance by the MEC that the salary issue will be addressed within the next ten days is a welcome development, albeit one that should have been implemented far sooner,” said Hon Sonakile.
The Committee will closely monitor the Department’s progress over the next ten days to ensure that this promise is fulfilled.
The Chairperson of the committee stated that NTI is a valuable asset that has been misused and exploited by individuals driven by greed.
“In spite of the exploitation and greed displayed by individuals at NTI, with proper leadership, a robust rescue plan, and commitment to accountability, this entity can still be restored to its former glory. Its contractual obligations with Gauteng and its revenue-generating capacity demonstrate its potential for self-sustainability. The current distractions must not detract from the urgent need to stabilize and rebuild NTI,” said Hon Sonakile.
The Committee remains resolute in its commitment to intensify oversight into NTI governance issues, building on last year’s physical visit to the entity. Accountability remains a priority. Those responsible for the years of governance failures and mismanagement at NTI must face the consequences.
The Committee will also revisit law enforcement agencies to track progress on investigations linked to allegations that have been referred to them and will remain steadfast in its efforts to ensure governance reforms and the protection of workers’ rights at NTI.
Ends
Issued by: North West Provincial Legislature: Media & Communications Unit on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management – Hon Freddy Sonakile
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