NOORDWESTER - LICHTENBURG - In a media statement, the MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management in the North West, MEC Wessels Morweng, commented on being worried by the lack of commuter transport on Atamelang routes to Mahikeng.
MEC Morweng said that he is worried, but not shocked by the unavailability of Atamelang buses on their designated routes around parts of Ngaka Modiri Molema District.
The bus company, which has been part of commuter’s daily lives in areas like Mahikeng, Zeerust and Lichtenburg stopped operating around December 2024.
The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management entered into an agreement with Atamelang Bus Transport to provide subsidised commuter transport services in Ngaka Modiri Molema District. The Company experienced serious operational challenges which led to the collapse of operations in recent months, which ultimately contributed to violation of contractual obli-gations between government and the service provider.
The department raised concerns about the collapse of the service with the company and held several meetings with MEC Morweng and Senior Managers. The company promised to improve their services, but instead the situation deteriorated.
Since the media release however, Atamelang buses and the Infrastructure in Mc Van Niekerk Park, Lichtenburg, have been looted and even burnt down. According to recent information, the rioting and looting is still ongoing.
This could be an escalation caused by the continuous problems experienced in Ditsobotla Municipality (water, electricity, service delivery) as residents are frustrated with the continued situation - with no solutions.
Lichtenburg and surrounding area residents are desperate for better living conditions and are in dire straits.
