By REGINALD KANYANE
30 April 2025- The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management said it welcomes the outcome of the Gauteng Department of Employment and Labour’s inspection at North West Transport Investment SOC Ltd (NTI). The Department’s confirmation of serious non-compliance with labour laws reinforces the committee’s long-standing concerns about the dire conditions faced by workers at NTI.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Freddy Sonakile said as employees continue to report for duty, despite enduring months without salaries, it is encouraging that the Department of Labour has validated the challenges that the committee has consistently raised. Sonakile said this represents a first step towards victory for workers as it provides clear direction for the newly appointed Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP), Mohamed Tayob and the acting CEO, Dr Ntlhopeng Dikobe, on the urgent areas that must be addressed to restore stability at the entity.
“The department has issued multiple compliance notices and enforcement actions in relation to violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, and the Unemployment Insurance Act.
“Importantly, the department has committed to monitoring NTI’s progress in addressing these contraventions, a development which the Committee sees as a critical building block in safeguarding workers’ rights,” he said.
Sonakile further said through our ongoing engagements, they are aware that the new BRP and acting CEO are hard at work to ensure that the payment of outstanding salaries is prioritised, despite persistent legal frustrations arising from the former BRP, who continues to attempt to hold the entity to ransom. He added that the committee acknowledges these efforts and remains vigilant in its oversight role.
“The labour investigation stems directly from a formal request made by the Committee following its intensive three-day oversight visit to NTI in October 2024. It forms part of a series of interventions initiated by the Committee, which include referrals of other matters to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
“This is not the end, but it is certainly an important beginning. The Labour Department’s findings affirm the workers’ struggles and our Committee’s concerns. We will continue to apply pressure to ensure that the most pressing issue, the payment of salaries, is resolved speedily, and that governance is restored at NTI,” he said.
Sonakile said the Portfolio Committee remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that all necessary actions are taken to protect workers and restore accountability and good governance at NTI.
The Guardian 