The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo calls on the LEDET (Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism) portfolio committee to urgently convene an enquiry into the ongoing collapse of Great North Transport (GNT).
Not only must GNT account for its failures, but so too must the Limpopo Government, the MEC for LEDET, LEDA, and the Board and Management of GNT for allowing this crisis to spiral into near-collapse—despite repeated DA warnings and calls for intervention.
GNT plays a crucial role in providing affordable transportation for Limpopo’s poor and working-class citizens, ensuring access to employment, healthcare, and essential government services, particularly in rural areas.
For years, the DA has been at the forefront of exposing the crisis at GNT and advocating for urgent action. We have repeatedly:
- Warned about financial mismanagement and operational collapse.
- Proposed considering the privatization of the service to ensure sustainability.
- Called for GNT to be placed under administration.
Yet, our calls have been met with silence, inaction, and blatant disregard. One must ask: whose interests are truly being protected? Certainly not those of the poor and vulnerable who rely on this failing service.
More recently, there have been even more alarming developments. A liquidation application has been served on GNT by the Sheriff on behalf of Macheri Group (Pty) Ltd for R10 million due for diesel supplied last year—still unpaid. Other creditors include SARS and a security provider, leading to zero security at GNT depots. Employee pension and medical contributions remain outstanding, raising serious concerns about the well-being of workers. Less than 50 buses are operational from a fleet of over 400—crippling the public transport system.
Despite this crisis, GNT is currently seeking to lease buses from various companies, including from KwaZulu-Natal, raising further concerns over its governance and financial mismanagement.
We demand urgent action! GNT’s Board and Management must provide a full, detailed report outlining its current financial position and operational capabilities, and reasons why GNT should not be placed under administration. The LEDET Portfolio Committee must immediately initiate an enquiry into GNT’s collapse. The Limpopo Provincial Government must explain its failure to intervene in this worsening crisis.
It is clear that the ANC-led provincial administration, LEDET, LEDA, and GNT’s Board and Management lack both the capability and the political will to rescue the entity.
The DA will continue to fight for a functional, affordable, and effective public transport system in Limpopo. We will not stand by while the poorest members of our society are left stranded due to government incompetence and mismanagement.
The time for action is now. GNT cannot be allowed to collapse while the ANC government looks the other way.