An opposition party has criticised the City’s tender process in the face of recent extortion attempts at the new MyCiTi depot in Khayelitsha.
GOOD party councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli issued a statement last week accusing the City of awarding a deviation contract for MyCiTi bus operations without following an open tender process.
This comes after the City sought an urgent interdict against a group of would-be extortionists who forcibly removed security guards and threatened to vandalise the new R430-million MyCiTi bus depots when the community’s preferred local company was removed from the job in favour of another company last month.
Mamkeli raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the City’s decision to extend operations exclusively to existing Vehicle Operating Companies – Kidrogen, TBRT, and TPI – without competitive bidding.
“While the continuity of public-transport services is essential the current deviation arrangement may unintentionally limit market access for other potential bus operators,” he said in a statement released last Wednesday.
The councillor argued that the arrangement reduces competition, restricts innovation, and weakens opportunities for emerging or more cost-efficient service providers to enter the market.
READ MORE: Extortionists target new MyCiti bus depot
“The City’s decision grants existing operators continued rights to use and manage City-owned buses and infrastructure. Without a transparent procurement process, this approach risks entrenching dominance and undermining the principles of fairness, value for money, and equal opportunity in public transport contracting.”
The deviation contract allows the three existing companies to continue operating MyCiTi Phase 1A services while longer-term procurement processes are being finalised.
Clarity requested
Mamkeli called on the City to urgently clarify several key issues surrounding the deviation arrangement and future procurement processes.
The party wants to know how fairness and equal access are being upheld during the deviation period, given that no competitive tender was issued for the current arrangement.
“What measures are in place to prevent long-term market exclusion and ensure that future public transport contracts remain open to new operators?” Mamkeli questioned.
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He also demanded a clear timeline for initiating a transparent, competitive tender process for MyCiTi operations once the current deviation expires.
“Our concern is raised in good faith and in recognition of the City’s operational responsibilities. However, public confidence in the MyCiTi system depends not only on reliable service, but also on transparent governance and procurement practices that support competition, transformation, and accountability.”
City responds
Mayco member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas defended the City’s decision, saying the deviation contract was implemented solely to ensure uninterrupted public-transport services.
“The City of Cape Town implemented a short-term deviation contract with the existing MyCiTi Phase 1A Vehicle Operating Companies solely to ensure uninterrupted public transport services while the formal procurement process for Phase 1 is underway.”
He said the deviation is strictly temporary and compliant with the City’s Supply Chain Management policy, running from 1 November 2025 for a fixed 12-month period, with potential month-to-month extensions for a maximum additional 12 months.
Quintas revealed that a fully open and competitive tender for new operating contracts was already advertised in December 2024, closed in June 2025, and is currently under evaluation.
“This process guarantees equal opportunity for all qualified operators and includes measures to promote transformation and local participation,” he assured.
The City has scheduled further MyCiTi programme procurement processes for subsequent phases of the service in early 2026, which Quintas said reaffirmed the City’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and value for money in public transport contracting.
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