POLOKWANE – The Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, stressed the urgent need for intervention at the financially struggling Great North Transport (GNT) during an oversight visit to their depot in Seshego on Tuesday.

The state-owned bus service has been forced to cut down its fleet due to a worsening financial situation, with many of its buses out of service due to a lack of proper maintenance.

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Only 24 out of more than 120 buses are currently running while over 100 buses sit idle due to mechanical failures.

Ramathuba highlighted the need for more mechanical engineers to be hired as there are only four available to ensure maintenance for the fleet.

“The condition is disheartening. There’s much work to be done. Workers must remain hopeful,” said Ramathuba.

She emphasised that GNT plays a crucial role in providing affordable transport for workers from disadvantaged communities and allowing its collapse would severely affect transportation across Limpopo.

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Ramathuba announced that the entire management team has been suspended following their failure to address GNT’s long-standing operational and financial issues.

In May, CEO Dr Matata Mokoele, CFO Nazeem Essa and COO Mahlaku Mogoashane were suspended with full pay amid ongoing worker protests and financial scrutiny.

Among the concerns were overdue pension contributions and unpaid medical aid for more than 1,000 employees, despite salary deductions.

GNT has shut down over 200 routes across Limpopo and reported a loss of over R300m in the last five years.

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In February, hundreds of commuters were left stranded when buses servicing Seshego, Mokopane, Giyani, Tzaneen, Motetema, Makhado and others were pulled from operation.

At the time, Mokoele said the company was in the process of procuring a new fleet but was forced to contract buses to maintain services.

“We have been struggling to service several routes across the province due to a shortage of buses. Most of the buses are old and are experiencing breakdowns daily as a result. When the buses break down, we are already depleted in terms of the fleet it creates that problem for us. As a result, we end up using the existing buses to do multiple routes,” Mokoele said.