Blunden involved in new fully black-owned transport company

[caption id="attachment_91647" align="aligncenter" width="599"] WHEEL DEAL: At the launch of the new bus company are, from left, MPL Christian Martin, director Wesley Blunden, and managing director Mkhanto Mntwini. Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN[/caption]

TRANSPORT tycoon and attempted murder accused Shawn Blunden is involved in a new 100% black-owned start-up company to operate in the public passenger transport sector of the Eastern Cape.

The company, Star of Azania (SOA), was launched in Port Elizabeth yesterday after lengthy struggles to obtain funding for the joint venture.

Shawn Blunden co-founded Blunden Coach Tours in Port Elizabeth more than 30 years ago.

The new project came to fruition when the Masisizane Fund, an initiative of the Old Mutual Group, assisted the start-up with R4.5-million.

Blunden, 52, along with SOA managing director Mkhonto Mntwini and Blunden’s son, Wesley, who is also a director in the start-up, unveiled the fleet of new buses.

They are three 65-seater vehicles valued at between R3-million and R4.5-million each.

ANC MPL Christian Martin attended the launch, where it was revealed that the start-up is 100% black-owned – just like Blunden Coach Tours, which is the only wholly black-owned luxury bus service in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Shawn Blunden is out on R50 000 bail for the alleged attempted murder of his former brother-in-law, Deon Williams.

Mntwini said SOA would have to pay back the R4.5-million over five years.

-Ayanda Mdluli