Settle IPTS mess quickly – Hustler

ORGANISED business in Nelson Mandela Bay has demanded that the government do everything possible to ensure the city's beleaguered bus system is either up and running soon, or is shut down.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber said the stagnant bus project had tarnished the city's reputation. It was now portrayed as a metro unable to provide efficient public transport for its residents.

Responding to news that Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene's department had launched a full-scale forensic investigation into the Bay's controversial Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS), chamber chief executive Kevin Hustler said the concerns of business and civil society about the project had been vindicated.

On Friday, city manager Mpilo Mbambisa told a municipal public accounts committee meeting that the national Treasury was conducting a forensic investigation into the IPTS.

He said auditors were gathering information and would start the probe in full force next month.

Hustler said yesterday: "The business chamber, along with its partners in the civil society coalition, has been consistently firm and forthright in its call for the utmost transparency in all matters relating to the evidence of wasteful expenditure, the lack of leadership, and a significant amount of mismanagement present within the IPTS project.

"The concerns of the coalition were raised at the highest levels [this year], including during face-to-face engagements with President Jacob Zuma and Minister Nene in Pretoria, through interactions with the president and his ministerial delegation, on an ongoing basis with the Nelson Mandela Bay city manager, as well as in person with the public protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela."

He said big business wanted all those responsible for fraud and corruption brought to book.

"Punitive and remedial action is urgently needed to bring confidence to both business and communities, as both have been financially abused by the lack of a firm hand on spending and apparent widespread corruption," Hustler said.

"Millions have been sunk into this project since 2010, with absolutely no tangible benefit to the people of Nelson Mandela Bay.

"To continue in this manner is dysfunctional, untenable and unsustainable.

"The investigation to be led by the office of the Finance Minister has not come a moment too soon, and we look forward to a speedy resolution." - Rochelle de Kock