Mduduzi Sithole claims he lost a R6 million-a-month transport contract due to corruption and bribery demands from officials in KwaZulu-Natal. He alleges that the contract was awarded without a tender process after he refused to pay bribes. The situation escalated when Sithole lost the contract in January 2025.
Sithole initially held the contract before it was taken over by Ikhwezi Bus Service. He alleges that officials colluded with Ikhwezi to remove his company from the service. This has resulted in 27 buses sitting idle at his depot for more than a year, causing significant financial losses.
Sithole has also claimed that he faced pressure to provide buses for free for political events. He asserts that officials demanded he cover costs for accommodation and catering related to these events. In response, he has written to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, requesting an investigation into the conduct of the involved officials.
Ntuli referred the allegations of corruption, fraud, and procurement irregularities to the provincial forensic investigation unit. However, Ikhwezi Bus Service denies any wrongdoing and states it was not involved in any illegal procurement process.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport maintains that there was nothing improper about appointing an alternative service provider. Yet, Sithole disputes this interpretation, claiming it contradicts the original contract’s stipulations.
Sithole’s difficulties began in November 2024 when departmental officials inspected his bus depot. He described his experience as one of enduring bullying and torture from department officials.
“Speaking out was the last resort,” said Sithole. “But I’ve endured bullying and torture from the department officials for far too long.”
As this case develops, the outcome of the forensic investigation remains uncertain.
