As the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, we would like to clarify the following issues:
1. It is my considered view that the article “Riot Police fire on Kids“ and which made the headlines of the Herald today 22 January is not a true reflection of facts around the non- transportation of learners in Motherwell.
2. As it is, the impression created there is that our Department of Transport (DOT) has not honoured claims of the School transport Operator known as FNQ. Speaking on our behalf, your closing statement reads “ all outstanding monies had been paid last week and there is no way drivers could still be owed more than R500.00”
3. The facts are as follows:
- The history behind this problem dates back to 2010. Our DOT was not yet in the scholar transport picture then. This function, as it were, only became our responsibility from July 2011. An understanding in place was that the Department of Education would own up all outstanding payments due to scholar transport service providers before 18 July 2011.
- The fact that scholar transport services had been duly rendered by the service provider mentioned and that he is owed that amount of money is not in dispute. What, according to me, stands to be made clear is that it is the Department of Education that should take the lead towards the resolving that situation.
Media contact:
Ncedo Kumbaca, Director: Communications
Cell: 082 56 26 023
