ActionSA in Gauteng has called on the provincial MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, to intervene after dismissal letters were issued to employees of Mega Express during a dispute over outstanding bus operating licences. The party warned that drivers should not lose their jobs while questions about the legal status of some buses remain unresolved.
Work stoppage and depots affected
ActionSA said drivers at depots in Midrand and Pretoria received dismissal notices after refusing to operate buses they believed did not have the required operating licences. The refusal led to a week-long work stoppage that disrupted Gautrain bus operations serving commuters between station hubs and surrounding suburbs.
Political intervention sought
The party has written to the Gautrain Management Agency and the Gauteng Legislature's portfolio committee on roads and transport seeking clarity on several operational and labour issues. ActionSA spokesperson Mongezi Ntsebenzo said the operator and provincial authorities should not allow administrative failures to be addressed at the expense of workers' livelihoods.
"We call on the MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, to intervene now to make sure not a single driver loses their job over this matter," said Mongezi Ntsebenzo.
Questions raised by ActionSA
In its correspondence, ActionSA requested answers to key operational questions to establish the scope and duration of the licence problem and to determine what protections are in place for affected employees. The party also demanded that all dismissal notices issued in relation to the dispute be withdrawn.
- How many buses are operating without licences?
- How long has this situation persisted?
- When will outstanding licences be issued?
- Why were employee protections not included in the new bus operating contract?
| Recipient | Requested action |
|---|---|
| Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport | Intervene to prevent dismissals |
| Gautrain Management Agency | Provide information on licences and withdraw dismissal notices |
| Gauteng Legislature portfolio committee (roads & transport) | Accountability and oversight |
Labour protections and contract concerns
ActionSA criticised what it described as a failure by both the operator and provincial authorities to build adequate worker protections into the new bus operating contract. The party said the new operator must ensure all buses are properly licensed and that affected workers are protected from punitive action when they raise safety or legal concerns.
In its statement, ActionSA reiterated that Mega Express had previously informed employees in writing that they would not be held responsible for missing licences. The party argues this acknowledgement should preclude disciplinary action against staff who declined to drive allegedly unlicensed vehicles.
Next steps and oversight
ActionSA has signalled it will escalate the matter if dismissal letters are not withdrawn. The party also plans an oversight visit to the Midrand depot to assess the situation on the ground and to press for explanations from management and provincial officials.
The dispute highlights wider concerns about contract management and regulatory compliance in provincial transport services. Commuters reliant on Gautrain bus feeders may face ongoing disruption if the parties do not resolve licensing and employment issues promptly.
Provincial authorities, the Gautrain Management Agency and Mega Express have not been quoted in the material supplied by ActionSA. The party has asked formal questions of those bodies and expects responses through the channels it has approached.
What commuters and employees should know:
- If you use Gautrain feeder buses in Midrand or Pretoria, check service alerts from Gautrain for disruptions.
- Workers affected by disciplinary notices should seek advice from their unions or legal counsel on labour rights and dispute procedures.
- Members of the public can follow updates from the Gauteng Legislature portfolio committee for official information once the bodies respond.
The matter remains live as ActionSA continues to press for immediate action to protect drivers and restore full, legally compliant bus services.
