The Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management said it will not lose patience until the former North West Transport Investment Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP) Thomas Sammons appears before it.
Summons was subpoenaed to appear before the committee as part of its move to finalise its inquiry into the affairs of the transport company, owned by the North West Provincial government.
The committee Chairperson Freddy Sonakile told YOUFM Newshour that they gave Summons benefit of the doubt after he produced a medical certificate as a reason for his failure to appear before the committee.
“The decision to subpoena Summons was because of the committee’s engagements on 25 and 26 September 2025, during which members unanimously resolved to invoke their powers in terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act.
The decision was again taken after the BRP failed to honour three consecutive invitations to appear before the committee,” said Sonakile.
Sonakile said the committee will subpoena Summons to appear before it next week Thursday.
He said the committee decided to remain patient with him despite a medical certificate he produced today.
Sonakile has sought to emphasise the gravity of this step.
“The Committee has been exceptionally patient.
For an entire year we have pursued voluntary cooperation, but continuous non-appearances and limited engagement have left us with no choice.
These summonses are a necessary and lawful step to ensure accountability,” explained the chairperson.
Sonakile has also confirmed that the legal back and forth between the BRP, the department of Community Safety and Transport Management, and another BRP Mahomed Tayob who has been interdicted by Summons, will not benefit employees who haven’t yet been aid their monthly salaries.
He stressed that the entity’s employees continue to suffer, adding that he is inundated by messaged from them daily.
“They’re even confused as to who should pay their salaries, they even think it’s the legislature that must pay their monthly salaries, but I forwarded those messages to the MEC, CEO and Summons who has never even acknowledged the receipt of my messages.
Some of the employees are complaining about the situation, worried about their families as we are approaching the festive season.
They’re struggling, they can’t feed their families hence some of them are beginning to pay themselves as much as it’s illegal but what else can they do,” remarked Sonakile.
The committee has further stressed the importance of full compliance of all stakeholders, and everyone involved at the company.
“We sincerely hope that all summoned parties will honour these lawful summonses.
Failure to appear will leave the committee with no alternative but to pursue criminal charges as provided for in the law.
We have extended more than reasonable opportunities for cooperation,” concluded Sonakile.
