 
MEDIA STATEMENT
SUB-CONTRACTORS SAY BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS ARE "MALICIOUS"Alton Coach Staff Contractors’ chairman Nkosinathi Majola today sent a petition to the Department of Transport distancing the association – which represents all 93 bus sub-contractors – from allegations that bus owners had complained or alleged that they were issuing bribes. The Department of Transport today expressed shock at allegations carried in a daily newspaper, which made claims of bribery against prominent officials of the ANC and IFP. In a statement the association said allegations carried in the article were "malicious" and "not true". "It is irresponsible for anyone fulfilling his personal agenda to use the political situation in the province for sensationalism and character assassination," the statement read. It is ironic that the allegations made that bribe money was paid in order for traffic officials to overlook the state and conditions of buses owned by Alton comes in the wake of Minister Ndebele issuing a directive just last Friday, that buses belonging to the company will undergo a random check of its Road Certificates. At a roadblock outside Durban, 12 buses belonging to the former Durban Transport Municipal uses were impounded, at which Minister Ndebele was present. The Minister ordered an urgent investigation into the bus company’s operating procedures and called for all buses to now undergo a Certificate of Roadworthiness every six months instead of once a year. Minister Ndebele said that department would call for all the former DTMB buses under their new management contract to produce roadworthy certificates and for them to produce operating certificates for the transportation of passengers, for each individual bus. Minister Ndebele warned owners of public transport vehicles that they must adapt to the rules of the road, or face the might of the law. George Mahlalela, chief director of Public Transport and Freight said in terms of the department’s procedures, all mechanisms had been put in place to ensure transformation objectives within the public transport sector. "The allegations made by unknown sources is meant to discredit the transformation goals we have set ourselves. We frown upon any hint of misdemeanour. We are mindful of our contractor’s obligations and we are certain that this piece of journalism in the media was for the purpose of sensationalism," Mr Mahlalela said. The department is considering its legal options open to it for recourse.
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