MAHIKENG MAIL - MATLOSANA - North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management led by Freddy Sonakile of the Democratic Alliance (DA), held a media briefing in the Matlosana Local Municipality to report on its findings following a three-day visit at the North West Transport Investment (NTI) offices.
Before the briefing, the Committee engaged in a two-hour session with a multidisciplinary team, including law enforcement (Hawks, Special Investigative Unit - SIU), Chapter 9 institutions (Public Protector, Human Rights Commission), and other stakeholders like the Public Service Commission, Auditor-General, and Departments of Labour and Employment, Treasury and Community Safety and Transport Management to initiate multiple investigations into NTI’s affairs.
The Committee, which raised concerns about NTI’s operations and made recommendations relating to the entity for criminal cases to be opened against the alleged mismanagement, corruption, irregular financial practice, government failures and helping the department to remove the Business Rescue Practioner (BRP) from the entity.
Chairperson of the Committee Sonakile, stressed that the Department of Treasury and the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management must urgently verify employees and work done over the past eight months and devise an interim solution for employee payments within one month.
Responding to questions from Mahikeng Mail, Sonakile said the committee was not in support of the provincial government’s plans to turn NTI into a PPP, due to the alarming allegation that surrounded the NTI. The Committee will monitor investigations over the next three months and will ask President Cyril Ramaphosa to expedite a proclamation once the SIU’s assessment has been completed. The Committee committed to hold accountable those responsible for any unlawful actions and ensuring the NTI’s survival.
