NWPL TRANSPORT COMMITTEE DEMANDS ANSWERS ON FORMER ATAMELANG WORKERS LEFT BEHIND, FLAGS TRAFFIC STAFF SHORTAGES

The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, chaired by Hon. Freddy Sonakile, has called for urgent clarity on the absorption of former Atamelang Bus Services workers into the Ikhwezi Tasmica contract, amid concerns that some workers remain excluded while the contract approaches its expiry in March 2027. The matter arose during the Committee’s final oversight visits to the Community Safety offices in Montshioa and Ikhwezi Tasmica’s Ngaka Modiri Molema (NMM) Bus Depot, concluding its Oversight Week programme in the district. The visits focused on traffic law enforcement capacity and challenges, as well as the state of commuter transport, bus availability and the impact of services on commuters. At the Montshioa traffic offices, the Committee raised concerns about staff shortages, including vacancies arising from early retirement, and the absence of a clear plan to fill these posts. The Committee noted that these shortages undermine the office’s ability to meet its targets and carry out effective traffic law enforcement. The Committee will undertake a follow-up visit with Provincial Treasury and the relevant municipality. Treasury will be invited to explore funding options to strengthen traffic law enforcement capacity, while the municipality will be expected to address the enforcement of parking and related by-laws, including those affecting e-hailing services. Concerns were raised that uncontrolled parking in towns makes the work of traffic officers more difficult. At the NMM Bus Depot, the Committee questioned the implementation of a pronouncement by the former MEC for the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management that all affected former Atamelang workers would be absorbed into the Ikhwezi Tasmica contract. The Committee noted that some workers had been absorbed while others remained excluded. It requested a comprehensive report detailing the number of workers absorbed, the selection criteria and process followed, and the reasons for excluding the remaining workers. With the contract due to end in March 2027, the Committee warned that further delays would leave the affected workers with little opportunity to benefit from the undertaking. “An undertaking was made that former Atamelang workers would be absorbed, yet some have been taken on while others remain behind. The Department must explain what criteria were used, why others were excluded and how it intends to resolve their plight. With the contract ending in March 2027, this matter cannot be allowed to drag on. These workers deserve a fair, transparent process and clear answers,” said Hon. Sonakile. To assess whether contractual commitments are being honoured, the Committee requested the service level agreement between the Department and Ikhwezi Tasmica. This will enable it to compare the agreed commuter services with those delivered on the ground. The Department must also provide a comprehensive report on the way forward for former Atamelang workers who have not been absorbed. The Committee will conduct follow-up visits to both offices to assess progress on staffing challenges, commuter service delivery and the outstanding concerns affecting former workers. 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.