Central SA
North West NTI workers stranded over late salary payments─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 07:00 Tue, 24 Feb 2026
Workers are expecting their salaries on Tuesday (24/2) after being left for days without pay, as frustration mounts among employees of Northwest Transport Investment (NTI) over continued delays in salary payments.
What was promised as a Friday (20/2) payment was postponed to at the latest Tuesday. Senior provincial officials, including CSTM MEC Wessels Morweng, Acting HOD Molefi Morule, acting NTI CEO Dr Ntlhopeng Dikobe, and chief director for transport operations Patrick Mohono, met with employees last week after frustrated workers blocked the Legislature precinct.
“The technical error that led to the delay is regrettable, but all of those have now been attended to, hence optimism that payment will be made next week, which might be earlier but Tuesday at the latest, said departmental spokesperson Oshebeng Alpheus.
The repeated failures have triggered fierce criticism from the Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa), which is demanding accountability from the provincial government.
Misa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola condemned the situation. “It’s a disgrace NTI employees cannot put food on their tables and vulnerable workers who depend on subsidised public transport are now paying four times more just to get to work.”
The impact extends beyond the 1,500 NTI employees. Vulnerable commuters dependent on government-subsidised buses have been devastated.
Domestic worker Johanna Moleka, 58, from Hammanskraal normally pays R230 weekly to reach Wonderboom in Pretoria, but since January has been forced to pay R120 daily for four taxis on the same route, said Hlubi-Majola.
The consequences of prolonged nonpayment have been severe. NTI’s employees have allegedly endured months without pay, leading to devastating emotional and financial consequences. Families have lost homes and cars.
‘Debt situation has deteriorated’
Children have been forced out of school. About 14 employees have reportedly taken their own lives, and one died from hunger, said Hlubi-Majola.
NTI’s debt situation has deteriorated dramatically, ballooning from R355m to R1bn during the business rescue period. The first business rescue practitioner, Thomas Samons, was removed by the High Court for failing to pay salaries.
The current practitioner, Mahomed Mahier Tayob, has approached the High Court in Pretoria seeking intervention in the ongoing payment delays.
• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.
OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg
