The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has referred new allegations surrounding Great North Transport’s (GNT) procurement of an electronic ticketing system to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), calling for the matter to be investigated alongside the unit’s existing probe into the troubled state-owned entity.
The DA says it has received information raising concerns about the independence of successive companies contracted to provide ticketing services to GNT, including allegations that directors or owners of companies involved may have links to individuals within GNT or the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA).
The party has also raised concerns over allegations that technicians involved in previous GNT ticketing systems are again being used to install new machines.
DA Limpopo spokesperson on Provincial Treasury, Jacques Smalle, MPL, said the allegations warranted urgent scrutiny, particularly given the financial difficulties facing GNT and the amount of public money already committed to the entity.
«“GNT cannot continue to be a financial black hole into which taxpayers are expected to pour hundreds of millions more while serious questions remain about where previous funding went,” said Smalle.»
The DA wants the SIU to establish whether there are links between successive ticketing service providers and officials or individuals connected to GNT or LEDA, and whether those allegations fall within the scope of the existing investigation.
The SIU investigation was authorised by the President under Proclamation 246 of 2025 and covers a range of procurement and maladministration matters at GNT, including possible unlawful conduct, losses of public money and corruption.
However, the DA says that more than 18 months after the proclamation was issued, there has been no substantive public account of the progress or outcomes of the investigation.
Smalle said the public deserved greater transparency about the investigation and any action that may have resulted from it.
«“We are asking the SIU for an update on any findings, referrals, recoveries or recommendations arising from the existing probe. The people of Limpopo have a right to know what has happened to their money and whether anyone has been held accountable,” he said.»
The DA has also indicated that it will submit questions to Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Tshitereke Matibe, regarding both previous and current GNT ticketing contracts.
The questions are expected to focus on the ownership of companies contracted by GNT, the technicians involved in the various ticketing systems, possible interests held by GNT or LEDA officials and the reasons behind the replacement of the previous ticketing system.
The opposition party says the scrutiny comes at a critical time for GNT, which is reportedly seeking a further R198.8 million in public funding despite continued questions over its financial position, procurement practices and internal controls.
The DA also points to questions raised by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) regarding GNT’s continued trading, with the entity expected to provide answers by the end of August.
Smalle said additional public funding should not be considered without first addressing outstanding questions surrounding GNT’s finances and procurement.
«“Before another rand is committed, the public deserves to know what was bought before, why it is being replaced, who benefited from those contracts and, above all, whether any public money was lost through maladministration, irregular conduct or corruption,” said Smalle.»
The DA has called on the provincial government to ensure that there is accountability for any wrongdoing uncovered at GNT and warned against continued financial support without clear evidence that the entity’s governance and financial controls are being strengthened.
«“The ANC-led province cannot continue pouring public money into GNT while serious questions about procurement, weak controls, past expenditure and possible maladministration and corruption remain unresolved. To do so would be reckless and unconscionable,” Smalle said.»
The allegations contained in the DA’s referral are not findings of wrongdoing. They remain allegations that the SIU and relevant authorities would need to investigate and verify.
The DA says it will continue pressing both the SIU and the provincial government for answers on the outstanding investigation, GNT’s financial position and the procurement of its ticketing systems.
