THE eThekwini Municipality Council has resolved to establish an entity that will take over bus operations in Durban.
The City’s Executive Committee has reported that all necessary administrative preparation for the establishment of the entity have been concluded, however, the Municipality has to respond to two new developments which are the appointment of a new MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison in KwaZulu-Natal who has requested to be given sufficient time to look into the matter. The City has also received a letter from National Treasury requesting the City to supply more information pertaining to the planned municipal entity.
“We have to be realistic in our plans and recognise that attending to the two matters will impact on the deadline of 1 July, but this is not an indication that the City is reneging on its commitment of setting up a municipal entity. We have started to deal with these new developments in order to make sure that the establishment of the entity is conducted and concluded in a manner that is compliant with all prescripts,” said municipal spokesperson, Tozi Mthethwa.
She said the municipality wanted to reassure staff members working in the current bus operation company that the Municipality is committed to the process and is concerned about the welfare of staff and do not wish for them to worry about their jobs.
“We will keep an open line of communication between all parties to make sure that concerns are raised and attended to timeously,” she said.
Mthethwa said the municipality was committed to the process of the deployment of an Intervention Team to stabilise the bus operation. This move, which was a result of a court process is an Order of Court, thus binds the parties to its stipulations.
“In the event of any changes to the current operating arrangements, the Court is best placed to provide an independent and just ruling when such a matter arises and is presented before it for a decision. The Intervention Team, which has been in place since February 2016, has been very effective and has resulted in the operation running without disruptions,” she said.
