Bloemfontein — The Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport has suspended two senior officials after they were involved in a roadblock on the R702, a development that has intensified scrutiny of the province’s public transport regulatory system.
Who was suspended and why
Monnapule Henry Ntamo, a senior official linked to the administration of operating licences, was served with a suspension by acting Head of Department Advocate Jacob Phahlo on Friday. An Assistant Director at the Permit Board, Mlungisi Ntshingane, was also suspended, according to departmental correspondence and legal papers seen by reporters.
The suspensions follow a contentious roadblock on the R702 and come amid a series of court disputes connected to the issuing and administration of public transport operating licences in the province.
Legal disputes and court orders
Ntamo’s name appears in litigation including the Interstate Bus Lines matter, in which the Free State High Court made orders regarding the company’s operating-licence applications and aspects of official conduct. That dispute led to ongoing correspondence between attorneys and the department.
In a separate case, attorneys for a transport operator have alleged that the department failed to comply with a 26 March 2026 High Court order requiring the issuance of 80 temporary operating licences for education and scholar transport, in addition to 80 existing licences. The attorneys warned they had instructions to approach the High Court for a contempt order and punitive costs if non-compliance continued.
“this matter is resolved”
The matter was reportedly brought to the attention of MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport Jabu Mbalula, who, after receiving the court documents, was quoted as saying: “this matter is resolved”. Subsequent legal correspondence alleges continued non-compliance with the court order.
Allegations of parallel structures
Beyond litigation, the publication’s reporting indicates that questions have been raised about actions attributed to Ntamo. According to insiders, he has allegedly approached former bus owners who no longer operate vehicles to form a committee representing such operators, and reportedly set up what sources described as a parallel licence-operating office.
Those developments prompted concerns within the sector about conflicts of interest and the proper administration of permit processes. The suspensions appear aimed at creating space for investigations into the conduct and to prevent further interference in licensing processes while legal matters are resolved.
Impact on operators and commuters
Transport operators and small taxi owners across the province have been affected by ongoing uncertainty over routes and operating permits. In Hoopstad, for example, small operators continue to complain about unresolved licensing matters that constrain their ability to trade and plan services.
- Key legal demand: 80 temporary licences for education and scholar transport, plus 80 existing licences (order dated 26 March 2026).
- Official action: Suspensions of Monnapule Henry Ntamo and Mlungisi Ntshingane by acting HOD Advocate Jacob Phahlo.
- Political oversight: MEC Jabu Mbalula was reportedly informed and said the issue was resolved, while legal correspondence suggests otherwise.
What the suspensions mean now
The suspensions are administrative steps that usually precede internal disciplinary or investigatory processes. They do not amount to findings of guilt and are often used to preserve evidence and prevent contact with witnesses or records. The department has not publicly released a full statement detailing the specific allegations prompting the suspensions.
For affected operators and commuters, the priority remains continuity of service and clarity on operating rights. Pending litigation and administrative reviews risk prolonging uncertainty for those dependent on scholar transport and interprovincial services.
Next steps and transparency
Attorneys for operators have indicated they may return to the High Court to seek enforcement measures if the department does not comply with the March order. The outcome of any contempt application and the results of internal probes into the conduct of suspended officials will shape the immediate future of permit administration in the Free State.
Residents and operators seeking information should monitor official departmental releases and court filings for authoritative updates. The department’s next public communication should clarify timelines for investigations and the status of licence issuance to reduce disruption for commuters and businesses.
Reporting for this article relied on legal correspondence and documents relating to the cases, as well as accounts from sources familiar with the matters.
