MEDIA BRIEFING BY MEC WM MORWENG ON THE RESUMPTION OF THE COMMUTER TRANSPORT SERVICE IN NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT

MEC Boardroom, Tirelo Building – Mmabatho
Head of the Department, Dr. Hans Kekana
Acting Chief Director for Transport Operations, Mme Mpho Rantona
Senior Managers present
Management of the new Operator
Provincial Leadership of SANTACO
Worker Representatives
Members of the Commuter Forum
Members of the Media
Stakeholders present
Baagi ba Ngaka Modiri Molema
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Morning.
We have convened here today to announce the resumption of commuter transport services in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District. The previous operator’s contract was terminated due to repeated violations of the Service Level Agreement (SLA). Despite being contracted to operate 133 buses, the operator consistently provided only 55 a mere 40% of the required capacity. This left many passengers stranded, as scheduled routes and trips could not be adequately serviced.
Before termination, the Department engaged extensively with the operator, holding several intervention meetings and issuing numerous letters in an attempt to resolve the challenges. Unfortunately, the situation did not improve. On the 21st of November 2024, a termination notice was issued, giving the operator three months to improve services.
Instead of recovery, service delivery continued to decline until operations collapsed entirely. Consequently, in accordance with the SLA, the contract was formally terminated on the 5th of March 2025. As a caring government, we could not allow communities, who rely solely on this service to continue suffering. In engagements with employees, bus drivers reported being instructed to overload buses and to drive vehicles with serious mechanical defects, including faulty brakes, thereby endangering passengers’ lives.
Commuters echoed similar frustrations, citing unreliable service, unsafe conditions, and financial losses when monthly tickets could not be honoured. The Commuter Forum also submitted a memorandum highlighting these grievances. Following the termination, the Department initiated a process to appoint a new operator in line with Supply Chain Management (SCM) guidelines. This process was delayed by court challenges from the previous operator, but after a protracted legal battle, the High Court dismissed their appeal on the 26th of September 2025, confirming the Department’s right to proceed.
Today, I am pleased to officially introduce the new operator for commuter services in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District: Ikhwezi Tasmica Joint Venture. This operator has the capacity to provide safe, reliable, and efficient commuter transport; ensuring passengers are neither stranded nor overloaded. As I have previously committed, the new operator has been engaged and agreement reached that priority will be given to former employees of Atamelang.
Their absorption will occur in three phases:
1. Current employees still in service.
2. Former employees who resigned under financial pressure.
3. Those dismissed under questionable circumstances.
The operator committed that training for drivers, ticket sellers, and other staff will commence as a matter of urgency. Employer/Employee committees have been formed to ensure smooth transition. Services will be introduced in phases, beginning with high volume critical routes in and around Mahikeng, Lichtenburg, and Zeerust. I appeal to commuters for patience, as all routes will eventually be restored once depots and facilities are fully secured. At present, the Mahikeng depot remains under Atamelang’s ownership, with the Lichtenburg depot has been destroyed, leaving Lehurutshe as the only secured facility.
I wish to express our gratitude to the taxi industry for stepping in and assisting communities during this transition. I further call for continued cooperation between the bus and taxi industries, as they complement one another. We rely on SANTACO leadership to nurture this partnership going forward.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the resumption of the commuter service in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District marks a new beginning for a reliable public transport in our Province. We are committed to restoring dignity, safety and efficiency for all commuters.
Thank you very much.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT