Limpopo Treasury implements plan for missing GNT funds
The funds, belonging mostly to retired Great North Transport workers, were deducted from salaries but were never allocated to a pension scheme.
POLOKWANE – Limpopo Treasury has recommended that an implementation plan be drafted immediately to address the missing R300m in employee pension funds belonging to mostly retired Great North Transport (GNT) workers.
The funds, deducted from salaries but never allocated to a pension scheme, were discovered missing in 2021.
Read more: Great North Transport workers seek pension fund answers
According to employee spokesperson Harry Masindi, who has led the advocacy efforts, many of the affected workers have already reached retirement age, while others have passed away, with their children, siblings, and widows now pursuing justice on their behalf.
More than 800 former employees have held several protests over the missing funds.
Last week, they vowed to hold a night vigil, demanding that the recommendations in the forensic report be implemented. Following these demonstrations, Provincial Government’s director general, Nape Nchabeleng, convened a meeting to begin drafting an action plan to resolve the matter.
The committee overseeing the issue includes representatives from the employees, the employer, and officials from Treasury, according to Provincial Government spokesperson Ndavhe Ramakuela.
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Masindi said that the former employees would firmly outline their conditions for the implementation process during these discussions.
Meanwhile, Leo Gama, spokesperson for the bus service, reported progress in tracing pension beneficiaries.
Of the 1 163 individuals owed funds, 991 have been located, leaving 172 still untraced.
Gama added that 45 applications were in the final stages of processing and would be completed soon.
Speaking on the forensic investigation, Gama clarified that the investigation was commissioned by Treasury, and not GNT.
“We cannot release a report that does not belong to us, however, we remain committed to sharing the findings once Treasury officially releases the report,” he concluded.
