The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management confirmed, on Monday, 01 September 2025, that the newly appointed operator replacement will no longer be able to absorb all the employees from the four depots based in Mahikeng, Zeerust, Lichtenburg and Delareyville.
This comes after Atamelang Bus Service lodged an appeal against the North West High Court ruling, which gave the department the power to appoint the operator replacement, who was expected to operate on the same routes as the previous operator.
The legal decision taken by Atamelang delays the start of the subsidized commuter transport in Ngaka Modiri Molema District.
“In a meeting with employees of the previous operator providing a commuter service in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, the Department confirmed that the operator replacement will absorb all the employees from the four depots based in Mahikeng, Zeerust, Lichtenburg and Delareyville.
“About 265 employees attended a meeting at the GD Montshioa Airport outside Mmabatho. They are expected to meet the new operator replacement following a meeting with the Department. The new operator replacement is expected to resume operation immediately after finalising the administrative processes, which includes signing of new contracts, assessing, training and testing of drivers,” said the department in a statement.
Reacting to the ruling, on Friday, 22 August 2025, the MEC responsible for the affected department, Wessels Morweng welcomed it and directed that the department should speed up provision of the subsidised commuter service to the communities that have no other alternative than this essential mode of transport provided by government.
Atamelang that was providing a commuter service in Ngaka Modiri Molema went to court to prohibit the department from acquiring a new service provider. The interdict had delayed the Department of COSATMA from appointing a new service provider to restore commuter bus services in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District.
According to Morweng this followed the failure of the company to provide the service in the District, which essentially contravened the service level agreement with the department, their contract was terminated in December 2024.
“The Department consequently embarked upon a process of acquiring a new service provider through a normal procurement procedure.
“It was as the Department was about to conclude the process that Atamelang went to court to interdict the Department. This impacted negatively on commuters, many of whom are in rural areas who had to endure the last two quarters without commuter transport,” said the department in a statement.
Meanwhile, the bus company experienced operational challenges which led to the collapse of operations, which ultimately contributed to violation of contractual obligations between government and the service provider. It has been reported that Atamelang buses and the infrastructure in Mc Van Niekerk Park, Lichtenburg, have been looted and even burnt down.
Previously, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management (COSATMA), chaired by Hon. Freddy Sonakile said the ruling cleared the way for thousands of residents, who have endured months without reliable transport, to finally regain access to essential commuter services.
“This ruling is a win for our communities who have been stranded for far too long. Public transport is not a privilege but a necessity for workers, learners, and job seekers. We cannot allow endless legal processes to hold commuters hostage while livelihoods suffer.
“In a province facing a deep unemployment crisis, every job counts. We are encouraged that the Department has started this process, and we expect it to be carried through without compromise,” Sonakile said.
Sonakile indicated that the Committee will also formally request a copy of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) of the new service provider, setting out contractual obligations, performance standards, and accountability mechanisms. This will enable the Committee to monitor the operator closely and ensure commuters receive safe, reliable, and sustainable transport services.
“Our residents must never again be subjected to unnecessary suffering because of legal disputes without proper alternatives in place. This judgment marks a new beginning, but our oversight continues to ensure that promises translate into action.”
The department promised that affected communities will be notified as soon as a firm resumption date is confirmed.
