MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: Atamelang Bus Transport employees suffered a devastating blow, following the company’s recent closure and non-operations.
The company, that has for the longest time provided transport to vulnerable people in rural areas in Ngaka Modiri Molema, battled with financial challenges and mechanical breakdowns, leaving dozens of employees, including drivers, general workers, and some administrative staff without jobs. However, the blow was doubly cruel, as the company’s financial collapse also jeopardised the pension funds that employees had contributed to for years, threatening to leave them without the retirement security they had worked tirelessly to build.
Recent complaints from the employees of the company, indicate that the employees could not claim their UIF and pension funds as the company submitted incorrect information to the Department of Labour, making them unable to claim.
In a recent letter of complaint received by Mahikeng Mail from employees, they called for urgent intervention from company management to assist them in getting their hard earned pension funds - as the company had already closed.
“Atamelang Bus Transport is failing its employees. Employees cannot claim UIF as the company submitted incorrect information to Department of Labour. The company submitted documents that show they paid employees’ salaries up to end of December 2024, and this is not true. Upon discovery, the Department of Labour requested Atamelang to rectify the incorrect information, which Atamelang is struggling to do.
“Employees were given UIF forms on Wednesday, 29 January, to take to their banks and were told to await a call from Mr Maduku, Head of HR, indicating when the forms should be submitted to the company.
On Wednesday, 5 February, the employees had their weekly meeting and demanded answers from Maduku on when they could claim UIF - he could not give them any straight answers. Forms where left with Maduku for submitting, but the reality is that before Atamelang rectifies what they submitted to the Department of Labour, employees cannot claim UIF. It is also alleged that contribution where made up to June 2024 only.
“On the issue of provident funds, the MD of Atamelang Bus Transport, Paul Maake, has not signed the necessary documents to allow employees to claim their pension and the company. Employees are panicking as they are not sure whether they will get their pension or not and who will be available to answer any questions in regard to their pensions, once the company is closed.
“We humbly request the Mail to assist the employees with this matter as people are losing their cars and houses. Policies have lapsed, people are struggling to pay for their children’s school needs like stationery and transport and rent, as some of the employees are from outside Mahikeng and are renting accommodation. Employees are frustrated and sinking into depression,” said the letter.
The loss of livelihoods and financial stability sent shockwaves through the community, as families struggled to come to terms with the uncertainty of their future ahead.
