This follows after Mangaung Metropolitan Mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana, announced in his budget speech that Hauweng buses will be in full operation this month.

Siyonzana said that the buses will only operate between the CBD and the Brandwag area as part of the first phase, before being rolled out to others areas at a later stage.

He said that the project will be beneficial to disadvantaged community members, as it is a cheaper mode of transport.

Siyonzana further said that the Hauweng bus project will not cause tension with taxi operators, as they are already been incorporated into the project.

He says that various taxi associations in the Metro have agreed to work hand in hand with the IPTN.

Siyonzana said that the taxi drivers will be the ones who will operate the buses.

OFM News previously reported that the National Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, had requested a forensic audit report on the controversial multimillion-rand Hauweng project.

ALSO READ: Minister requests forensic report of Mangaung IPTN

This followed after allegations of massive fraud and corruption in the project, with further allegations that ten buses were procured through a lease contract and facilitation process that involved a middle man who scored a facilitation fee of about R20 million.

OFM News