Great North Transport Suspends CEO and Other Bosses Over Financial Mismanagement

THABO MONYELA|May 30, 2025

SUSPENDED: Great North Transport (GNT) has placed its CEO, Matata Mokoele, and two other executives on precautionary suspension for three (3) months. Photo: LEDA

The Limpopo government-owned bus company, Great North Transport (GNT), has placed its top executives, CEO Matata Mokoele, CFO Hlongwane and COO Reason Mkhatswa on precautionary suspension for three (3) months.

According to the embattled public transport entity spokesperson Mthunzi Dlamini, the trio were suspended following serious concerns related to financial governance, operational delivery and executive accountability.

“The Board of Directors of Great North Transport (SOC) Ltd (“GNT”) wishes to confirm that, at its Special Board Meeting held on 29 May 2025, it resolved to place the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operations Officer on precautionary suspension with full pay, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

“This resolution was taken in response to serious concerns related to financial governance, operational delivery, and executive accountability. The suspensions are effective immediately and will remain in place for a period not exceeding three (3) months,” Dlamini stated.

The cash-strapped bus company, which transports thousands of commuters across Limpopo villages, is a subsidiary of the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), an entity of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Ledet).

Dlamini further added that the GNT board is engaging the shareholder, the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), for strategic and operational support.

MISMANAGEMENT: Great North Transport (GNT) spokesperson Mthunzi Dlamini said the trio were suspended following serious concerns related to financial governance, operational delivery and executive accountability. Photo: LEDA

Earlier this week, the African Times reported that the state-owned bus company is sitting on over R6 million in debt of the continuous unpaid employees’ pension fund, and a further R3 million of the medical aid contribution scheme.

Leaving 947 of its employees at risk of losing their pension benefits and medical access.

The entity is being investigated by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) over allegations of corruption in eight contracts and maladministration in six contracts.

Earlier this year, the SIU announced that it will investigate the allegations of corruption of board members, officials or employees of the GNT or contractors, suppliers.

The investigation will focus on several issues, including the improper appointment of service providers, questionable contract extensions, and the procurement of buses and maintenance services.

The inquiry will also cover financial mismanagement, such as unnecessary legal and fleet management expenses, as well as fruitless and wasteful expenditure, including unnecessary interest payments and settlement agreements.