POLOKWANE – Leeto La Polokwane (LLP) buses are said to still be in operation today after a possible halt in operations on Thursday if the management of LLP did not address the payment and other demands made by beneficiaries from local taxi associations.

A meeting between beneficiaries attached to three local taxi associations and LLP management is said to have been postponed on Thursday, according to Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association spokesperson, Ally Mothiba.

“We were supposed to have held a meeting yesterday and reach an agreement but they postponed it. We are not certain what our next move will be as yet, but buses continue operating,” he told Polokwane Review – Observer today.

Last Monday, Polokwane Observer confirmed that city buses remained parked at their depot, ceasing passenger services. Upon inspection, it was found that drivers, mostly former taxi operators from the Seshego-Polokwane, Flora Park-Polokwane, and Westenburg Taxi Associations, had reported for duty but were not permitted to take the buses out.

The stoppage was ordered by disgruntled beneficiaries from these associations.

They claim that LLP management breached their agreement by offering ticket examiner jobs and security tenders to unknown parties instead of them.

According to the agreement, these beneficiaries should receive a portion of the income and be prioritised for employment and business opportunities in Leeto La Polokwane’s operations.

The Seshego-Polokwane Taxi Association (SPTA) has emphasised this point previously. The beneficiaries are also owed a portion of the overdue R21m, which they have not yet received, prompting them to halt operations last Monday.

After several contentious meetings throughout the week, an interim arrangement was reached to resume bus operations, according to SPTA chairperson United Nemaungani.

“They agreed to resume bus operations until Thursday, June 13, for the passengers’ benefit. We don’t want to block the business; we just want the money owed to us and adherence to the agreement.”

Unlike previous disruptions, the associations did not physically block the buses but the latest method seemingly proved more effective.

Last Monday, LLP spokesperson Malesela Maubane acknowledged receiving enquiries from Polokwane Observer about the halt in operations, overdue compensation, and failure to comply with the business and employment agreements.

A follow-up was made on Monday, but a response is still pending.