Most bus operators transporting Gauteng’s pupils to public schools stayed away from work on Monday, protesting against the provincial education department’s non-payment of their claims.
”The majority of our members are not providing services today. There is only a few that is operating,” said Eric Cornelius, director of the South African Bus Operators Association (Saboa).
He said it ”seems as if the department has organised an alternative form of transport for the learners”.
The bus operators are owed R14-million by the Gauteng education department, and education MEC Angie Motshekga had promised to partly pay it on Monday.
Motshekga made the promise during an urgent meeting with members of Saboa on Friday. Saboa’s action on Monday is the second in Gauteng this year, another one having taken place in April for the non-payment of last year’s claims.
This time, the department owed Saboa R14-million for services rendered in March, April and June.
Cornelius said he had spoken to association members and they told him they had not received payment on Monday.
”The promise of the MEC is crucial because it will enable our members to start working again and settling of the bills. We would like to urge the department to stick to its contractual obligations so that we don’t see a recurrence of this,” he said.
Gauteng education department spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi could not be reached for comment.
According to last Friday’s agreement, claims for March, April and June would be partly paid on Monday and the remaining balance would be paid on Thursday.
Earlier on Monday, Cornelius said some operators had to repair their buses, pay creditors and buy fuel before returning to business. He added that some operators had had laid off their drivers. – Sapa