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The Democratic Alliance in North West will table urgent questions in the NW Provincial Legislature about the suitability and competency of the North West Transport Investments (NTI) to ensure proper transport for learners to school each day.

We will also, in line with The Promotion of Access to Information Act of 2000 demand that information on the status of a Police investigation on the NTI board members and former board members, all contracts entered by the NTI for the past five years and relevant documents be made available to the DA.

A forensic audit report revealed that millions are wasted by the NTI, a parastatal company in which the NW Provincial Government is the sole shareholder.

Money is mismanaged in the province while thousands of learners cannot attend school due to the unavailability of transport or being transported by dilapidated vehicles. It was confirmed in some case children are transported by open bakkies or with unroadworthy vehicles.

Last week, the North West MEC for Public Safety and Transport Management, Mokgantshang Motlhabane, did a presentation on learner transport in the Province and the DA asked pertinent questions which the MEC evaded to answer:

• What action steps will be taken to ensure co-operation between different government departments to ensure that road conditions are safe – seeing that these learners in the rural areas travel gravel roads in the rain and tar roads   full of potholes.
• Who are the board members of the NTI who resigned in the past and now bought busses and have contracts for    learner transport?
• How will contractors be supported during breakdowns in order to ensure learners get to school on time?

There is an investigation by the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit (Enquiry number -SEOU 02/07/13) on the NTI about the alleged fraudulent acquisition of 95 busses, possible tender irregularities for suppliers of lubricants and spares and the sale of a hanger and aircraft with a loss of more than R4 million.

Allegations of the abuse of power/position by board members are also under investigation.

To date, the same NTI has been requested by the Premier to procure a multi-million rand private jet for him.

The previous Premier, Thandi Modise relieved the Chairperson, EP Maponyane of his duties after alleged mismanagement and improper conduct – only to be re-appointed by the current Premier Supra Mahumapelo again.

The NTI did not receive any audit outcomes during the last financial year because they did not supply any documents or statements to the Auditor-General, which shows that they have something to hide.

We raised serious questions in the past about the suitability of the board of the NTI, the legality of contracts, tender procedures and to disclose information on employees and directors of the NTI who are service providers to the NTI.

It seems if the NTI might be another Supra and ANC initiative to help cadres to fill up their pockets.

Education is one of the most important ingredients to empower people and fight poverty. Children are deprived of an opportunity to get safely to school each day, due to politicians and businessmen who will rather exploit the system for personal gain.

Issued by DA North West