Johannesburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene has distanced himself from the suspension of Rea Vaya feeder bus services in Soweto, saying the decision was taken unilaterally by Executive Mayor Dada Morero and that he has been wrongly blamed for the shutdown.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Kunene said he was compelled to clarify the matter after public perception and internal developments suggested responsibility lay with his office.

“The non-operation of the Rea Vaya feeder buses does not arise from any decision, instruction or failure on my part or that of officials within the Department of Transport,” Kunene said.

“The decision to halt the feeder bus services was taken unilaterally by the executive mayor and is therefore not attributable to the MMC for Transport or his office.”

Kunene emphasised that the feeder buses are not optional services but a legally embedded component of the City’s Bus Rapid Transit system.

“The feeder bus services form an integral and legislated part of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system. Their operation is governed by national transport legislation, policy frameworks and funding conditions, and they are intended to ensure seamless access to the trunk routes for commuters,” said Kunene.

He said technical advice within the City, supported by national government guidance, warned against suspending the services.

“Officials advised that the continued operation of the feeder buses was consistent with guidance from National Treasury and the National Department of Transport,” Kunene said. “The suspension of these services carries potential legal and financial consequences for the City of Johannesburg.”

Kunene also raised concerns about the financial implications of the Bus Operating Company Agreement, under which the City may remain liable to pay operators even if buses are not running.

“In terms of the Bus Operating Company Agreement, the City may continue to incur contractual payment obligations despite the suspension of services,” he said. “This exposes the municipality to ongoing financial liability without the delivery of transport services to the public.”

He said these concerns led him to escalate the matter beyond the City.

“I have escalated this matter to the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Finance in the interests of transparency and accountability,” Kunene said. “Given that Rea Vaya is supported through national funding and policy, this issue has implications that extend beyond the City of Johannesburg.”

Kunene maintained that his office had acted within the law at all times, describing the suspension as a political decision rather than an operational one.

“At all times, my office and the Department of Transport have acted within applicable legislation and policy frameworks,” he said. “The decision to suspend the feeder bus services should be understood as a political intervention and not a technical or operational decision taken by the transport authorities.”

The continued suspension of the Soweto feeder routes has left thousands of commuters unable to access the Rea Vaya trunk system, with no clear timeline given for when services will resume.

Kunene also raised concerns about the role of the taxi industry in the suspension of the feeder bus services, suggesting that the decision had the effect of benefitting minibus taxi operators operating along the same routes.

“The suspension of the Rea Vaya feeder buses has created a vacuum that is now being filled by minibus taxis,” Kunene said, adding that the decision had “the practical effect of redirecting commuters away from an integrated public transport system towards private taxi operations.”

Without directly accusing Morero of wrongdoing, Kunene questioned whether undue influence may have played a role in the decision-making process.

“It is concerning that a decision of this magnitude was taken unilaterally, particularly where it appears to advantage specific transport interests at the expense of a publicly funded system,” he said.

“This raises serious governance questions that warrant transparency and scrutiny.”

Kunene said he had a responsibility to place these concerns on record to protect the integrity of the City’s transport system and to ensure that public resources were not being undermined by political considerations.

“As the political head of transport, I cannot ignore the perception that the suspension of feeder services weakens Rea Vaya while strengthening competing modes of transport,” he said. “These perceptions, whether intended or not, damage public confidence and must be addressed openly.”

He said this was among the reasons he escalated the matter to national government, arguing that any decision that potentially shifts commuter demand away from a nationally funded BRT system required oversight beyond the City.

IOL sent questions directly to Morero, but no response had been received at the time of publication.

This article will be updated as soon as a response from Morero is received. 

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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