The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo reiterates its call for Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) MEC Tshitereke Matibe and Provincial Treasury to act decisively in the worsening Great North Transport (GNT) crisis, following alarming new information that GNT reportedly owes more than R12 million in electricity debt to Polokwane Municipality, with close to R9 million in arrears for over 210 days – and had its power disconnected.
This latest discovery confirms that the crisis at GNT is deepening and that the entity’s financial collapse is now also placing pressure on the revenue of Polokwane Municipality – and possibly other municipalities in Limpopo too.
Most concerning is that this debt does not appear to have been disclosed when GNT recently appeared before the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) Portfolio Committee. This raises serious questions as to whether GNT’s total creditor exposure may be higher than the R50 million previously disclosed.
GNT may well have similar debt outstanding with other municipalities, and we call for full and honest disclosure.
According to information received, GNT’s total electricity debt to Polokwane stands at a staggering R12.14 million, with a further current billing amount of about R456 000 due in May 2026. GNT was reportedly disconnected on 25 March 2026, made no payment during April 2026, and remains disconnected pending a significant payment, settlement, or payment arrangement.
Also concerning is that GNT appears to be the major contributor to parastatal electricity debt owed to Polokwane Municipality, accounting for approximately 80% of the overall debt owed by parastatals.
This is unacceptable and reinforces the DA’s previous calls for urgent intervention by the MEC and Provincial Treasury. GNT’s financial distress is no longer confined to unpaid creditors, pension fund obligations, cash-flow shortfalls, fleet failures, and governance instability. It is now also impacting the finances of Polokwane Municipality and its residents.
GNT’s Board has already raised serious concerns regarding liquidity constraints, creditor arrears, inability to meet obligations as they fall due, and the risk of insolvency. It called for GNT to be placed under business rescue. This adds further weight to the DA’s position that GNT requires urgent, credible and lawful intervention.
MEC Matibe, LEDA and Provincial Treasury can no longer delay taking decisive action.
The people of Limpopo cannot continue to pay the price for failed ANC governance, repeated bailouts, weak shareholder oversight and the ongoing collapse of financial discipline at public entities.