NWPL Committee Concludes 3-Day Visit to North West Transport Investment (NTI)

The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, led by Hon. Freddy Sonakile, has concluded its three-day visit to the North West Transport Investment (NTI) offices and depots. This visit was initiated in response to calls for intervention from various stakeholders regarding challenges facing the NTI, a provincial government entity currently under Business Rescue Process (BRP).

The Committee engaged with key stakeholders, including Treasury, the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, NTI management, and labor unions (NUMSA, SATAWU, and SAWU). As a result, the Committee will compile a comprehensive report outlining its findings and the recommended course of action. The report will be presented to the media in a briefing next week.

Notably, the Business Rescue Practitioner, Mr. Thomas Samsons, failed to attend despite being invited, with no apology submitted. This incident will be addressed in the Committee’s report.

Key issues discussed include filling vacancies, non-payment of employee salaries, the lack of a Board of Directors, the NTI fleet, labor disputes, allegations of irregularities, and the government’s support for the BRP process. The Committee also conducted site inspections at NTI offices in Mabopane, Babelegi, and Waltloo.

Hon. Sonakile expressed particular concern over the impact of NTI’s current state on its employees, noting that some staff died in abject poverty due to unpaid benefits. “It is disheartening to witness the neglect and misconduct at NTI, a government asset meant to generate revenue for the province. There must be accountability,” he stated.
The Committee is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in addressing the challenges at NTI.