NORTH WEST LEGISLATURE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT DIRECTS URGENT ACTION TO RESTORE NTI OPERATIONS WHILE GOVERNANCE REPORT NEARS COMPLETION

The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, chaired by Hon Freddy Sonakile, yesterday concluded a special engagement on the immediate operational crisis at North West Transport Investment (NTI), making it clear that the purpose of the meeting was to establish practical interventions to restore bus operations, ensure employees receive their outstanding salaries and stabilise the entity.

The Committee received presentations from the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ntlhopeng Dikobe, Business Rescue Practitioner Mr Thomas Sammons, as well as the Director-General, Mr Paul Mogotlhe, on behalf of the Provincial Government, which covered presentations from the Departments of Community Safety and Transport Management, Provincial Treasury and the Office of the Premier.

Hon. Freddy Sonakile clarified that this engagement was separate from the Committee’s governance hearings into NTI.

“This meeting was not about determining accountability for what went wrong at NTI. It was about finding immediate solutions to get buses back on the road, pay workers and restore services. The Committee’s governance report, following almost two years of hearings, remains on course and will be tabled once our legal team concludes its work month end.”
Following the engagement, the Committee directed that the Premier urgently engage his Gauteng counterpart to expedite the release of approximately R106 million in outstanding commuter subsidies, together with the additional R18 million due to NTI. The Committee resolved that every effort should be made for these funds to be released before the end of July to enable operations to resume, while the verification of the disputed penalties proceeds in parallel, to prevent further delays in restoring operations.

The Committee noted the Business Rescue Practitioner’s report that approximately R6 million has already been collected through ticket sales from NTI outlets and further resolved that Provincial Treasury and the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management should utilise intergovernmental processes to recover all monies owed to NTI, including amounts due from the North West Housing Corporation, government departments, former liquidators and outstanding depot rental income.

Together with the Gauteng subsidy, these funds should provide the immediate cash flow required to stabilise the entity and resume operations. Provincial Treasury was also requested to provide financial management support to assist NTI while no Business Rescue team is in place.
The Committee resolved that, once the subsidy is received, NTI should immediately resume operations, conclude engagements with subcontractors to ensure uninterrupted services, and pay employees at least two months of outstanding salaries before the end of July 2026, while implementing a funded plan to settle all remaining salary arrears within agreed timelines.

The Committee noted concerns raised regarding ongoing litigation involving NTI and questioned the cooperation agreement concluded with the Business Rescue Practitioner. The Premier advised that the arrangement is intended solely to facilitate the restoration of operations and does not affect the pending legal proceedings. The Committee noted this explanation while maintaining that all legal processes must be allowed to run their course.

Hon. Sonakile said the Committee remains optimistic that, if these interventions are implemented urgently, NTI can begin restoring services while broader governance reforms are pursued.
“The Committee remains committed to two parallel objectives: restoring services for commuters and workers without delay, and ensuring that those responsible for governance failures are held accountable through our hearings report.

ENDS.

Issued on behalf of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management – Hon Freddy Sonakile
To arrange interviews with the Chairperson, please contact Ms Namhla Luhabe on 079 527 6289.