The DA has written to the chairperson of the portfolio committee on Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Mapula Mokaba-Phuwana, to summon the CEO of Great North Transport (GNT) to provide details on the closure of the Bapedi bus depot in Burgersfort.
We have been reliably informed that on 16 November 2023 a delegation of the tribal authority, seemingly unlawfully, instructed the GNT employees to vacate the premises.
The delegation further prohibited buses to go out on the routes and locked the premises with a chain.
On the 21st of November 2023 unknown individuals broke into the depot and stole computers and spare parts. A case was opened at the Driekop Police Station.
After several discussions between GNT and the tribal authority, the employees were informed that GNT’s assets were being moved to another depot and that an estate agent has been appointed to obtain new premises. Four buses were moved and 2 scrap bakkies were towed away, but to date the furniture is still in the depot.
Since the closure in November 2023, 27 employees have been receiving full salaries whilst sitting at home, desperately wanting to return to work.
To date there were legal proceedings instituted and withdrawn and GNT has not been able to reach an agreement with tribal authorities on a lease of new premises or any legal consequences for the eviction.
The Bapedi bus depot was originally allocated 20 routes, but due to a shortage of buses, only operated 4 routes; Burgersfort to Janefurse, Leboeng to Burgersfort, Janefurse to Riba Cross and Janefurse to Masha.
The lack of transport is not only a blow to commuters who now have to opt for more expensive modes of transportation, but it jeopardises economic development in the area- the FetakgomoTubatse Special Economic Zone is reliant on effective transport for workers.
The heavily subsided GNT has not been financially viable for a decade and continuous oversights at their 8 bus depots by the DA confirmed that the turn-around strategy has left depots under resourced and understaffed to provide logistical and mechanical support to the dwindling fleet.
We will get to the bottom of this “eviction” to ensure that poor communities who cannot afford other modes of transport receive safe and reliable transport from GNT.