Show you’re boss: take action on IPTS

AN open letter to the mayor, NMBM: Dear Mr Jordaan, Congratulations on your appointment as mayor of NMBM and your brave statement that you are not a puppet.

I don’t think you realise it, but in your capacity as Safa president in 2007 you were in fact one of many puppets who bought into the grand public transport plan, from which was born the failed IPTS in NMBM. You have a chance now to shed that label.

Planners in NMBM recklessly attempted, against all odds and massive opposition, to implement a system that was marred by hurried planning, poor architecture and nonbuy-in by existing service providers. National Treasury and the Transport Department, also recklessly, after the system had stalled, showered more money on it in their belief that they could make it work with said more money.

But five years later it is dead as a dodo with no viable future plan, no leadership and a heavy shadow of corruption hanging over it.

For your agenda planners will beat the same drum as before, to convince everyone they will get it right, if only those taxi operators will play ball, which has been the big excuse since day one.

The sad truth is that there have evolved many beneficiaries of the IPTS slush fund. They will work hard to defend it.

They will say they need more money for the next plan, based on lessons learnt, as they have said each time before. What you need to know is that the project needs a rethink from ground zero up and existing players, including officials and a web of consultants, should be relieved of their command, for having led and persevered with a failed project.

Major financiers have raised important questions and suggested alternative considerations, and Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has ordered a forensic investigation, now sitting on the boiler awaiting further action.

First thing you should be doing is release these reports, as well as the Pikoli report, which your predecessors have kept under wraps, and initiate the necessary legal action.

Your decision to support the project, or call a halt, will determine whether you are a puppet or real. We will wait and see.