Minister Fikile Mbalula, who visited the metro this week, says they are in control and on top of the situation following strings of allegations involving the multimillion municipality's controversial multimillion-rand Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN).

ALSO READ: Mangaung IPTN back in spotlight as minister returns

It’s alleged that the project costed the ailing metro at least R2 billion since its commencement in 2016, with feasibility studies that are said to have started in 2011, including accruals that ran into millions of rand. The metro has missed at least six deadlines in phase 1 to complete the IPTN project, after numerous warnings by the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport. Mbalula says the Hawks, Investigative Directorate (ID) and Special Investigation Unit (SIU) will be invited to handle the issues of fraud and corruption once the report reveals if there was such during the acquisition of the buses.

On Monday, Mbalula confirmed that the forensic investigation into the IPTN will commence with immediate effect.

ALSO READ - #BreakingNews: Minister confirms forensic investigation at Mangaung – VIDEO

In 2019, DA member of the National Assembly (NA), (MP) Sello Seitlholo, said the metro had aced the art of looting, financial mismanagement, and failed cadre deployment – with ten buses each purchased at a staggering amount of R5.5 million with absolutely no justification or plausible explanation.

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