Hansard: Debate on Vote No 37 — Transport
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 28 May 2013
Summary
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Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC – OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Tuesday, 28 May 2013 Take: 13
TUESDAY, 28 MAY 2013
PROCEEDINGS OF EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMITTEE-
OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
_____________________________
Members of the Extended Public Committee met in the Old Assembly Chamber at 14:01.
Prof L B G Ndabandaba, as Chairperson, took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
START OF DAY
APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Vote No 37 - Transport:
The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Hon Chairperson, Deputy Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, my colleagues, Ministers present, chairperson of the Transport Portfolio Committee, Ms Ruth Bhengu, and hon members of the portfolio committee, chairperson of the Select Committee on Public Services, Mr Pat Sibande, and hon members of the select committee, hon Members of Parliament, the acting Director-General of Transport, Dr Maria du Toit, and senior officials from the Ministry and the department, chairpersons and chief executive officers of state-owned companies and agencies, esteemed members of the executive councils and heads of department from provinces, your excellencies, transport sector stakeholders, esteemed and distinguished guests, comrades and friends, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen, 25 May 2013 marked a day of historical importance – the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity, OAU. The fervent desire of Africans to be the architects and masters of their own destiny led to the formation of the OAU on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa. Historically, it has been a long and winding road from then to now, at times characterised by the autumn of despair, at other times by the winter blight of coups d'etat and civil wars sprouting petals and roses of blood. At other times Africa has been characterised by the eternal spring of hope and summers filled with the clear, innocent and unreserved laughter of children ringing to a clear blue sky.
In South Africa, we stand on the threshold of our country's celebrating 20 years of freedom and democracy. This time next year we shall have completed our second decade of democracy. It is indeed a singular privilege and honour to present our Budget Vote on the eve of such a momentous milestone for our country.
Over the past 19 years, since the advent of democracy, the ANC-led government has made significant strides to transform the transport industry from nonmotorised to air transport in order to meet the social and economic needs of our people, especially the urban and rural poor, the wretched of South Africa.
When the ANC government came to power in 1994, it inherited a transport system voetstoots, one that had at best invested to benefit the white minority component of our society and at worst a transport system that had been underfunded, neglected and which was based on blinkered apartheid spatial patterns. In order to deal with this situation, the ANC government developed the National Transport Policy that was published in August 1996. Although significant strides have been made since then, occasioned by major capital injection into transport-related infrastructure, there is still much to be done and much to be achieved.
All across some of our cities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Bay, Rustenburg and others, we are seeing investments in transport infrastructure, such as the Bus Rapid Transport system, which is a catalyst for urban regeneration, reconnecting isolated nodes and bringing disconnected communities closer to economic opportunities.
To meet our commitments as host nation to the 2010 Fédération Internationale de Football Association, Fifa, World Cup, government accelerated its build programme and invested billions to ensure a safe, efficient and reliable public transport system that resulted in world-class airports, roads, upgraded train stations and refurbished coaches. This drive to reshape public transport travel in South Africa continues.
Transport infrastructure and services remain crucial for generating economic growth, alleviating poverty, reducing the scourge of inequality and increasing domestic and international competitiveness.
In financing transport infrastructure we are aware of South Africa's institutional, economic and social characteristics, including various demands made on tax-based revenues. We accept the fact that there is no universal funding model. It is a considered choice among several models, each with its respective pros and cons. To this end, we welcome the willingness of the private sector to invest in transport infrastructure.
Our effort to make transport the heartbeat of the economy continues. We are aware that transport is an enabling sector which impacts on growth and development in other sectors of the economy.
The department is in the process of finalising the National Transport Master Plan, Natmap, before it is submitted to Cabinet. Natmap will constitute a long-term plan to further position transport as an enabler for social and economic development by rolling out infrastructure and services that respond to the needs of all South Africans, and ensure that we meet our Millennium Development Goals. Natmap will focus on integrated transport planning to ensure that different modes of transport complement each other.
The alignment between the National Transport Master Plan and the National Development Plan, which sets out critical national policy goals to be achieved by 2030, includes implementing the user-pay principle in a manner that does not have a crushing effect on the working class and the poor. Within the prevailing economic climate, the Fiscus alone is unable to finance the current infrastructure backlog in South Africa.
The budget allocation for the Department of Transport for the financial year 2013-14 is R42,3 billion, and this includes allocations to provinces, municipalities, state-owned companies and agencies. Of the allocated amount, R18 billion will be transferred to provinces and municipalities towards road maintenance. Effective co-ordination with provinces and municipalities is therefore needed to ensure that the department is not only a conduit of funds to other spheres of government, but that, importantly, it plays a leading role in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of government programmes.
To this end, and in the spirit of co-operative governance, the SA National Road Agency Limited, Sanral, will provide a critical supporting role in the implementation of the maintenance programme.
Another portion of the budget, amounting to R21,9 billion, will be transferred to state-owned companies and agencies that are the delivery agents of the department. The department is building the requisite internal capacity in order to better enable it to conduct the necessary oversight over the state-owned companies and agencies under its remit. Significant progress has been made to align the strategies and annual performance plans of the state-owned companies and agencies of the department.
After distributing the allocated budget to provinces, municipalities, state-owned companies and agencies, the department is left with R921 million to carry out its policy development and oversight responsibilities. It is common cause that sound economic infrastructure is a precondition for economic growth. It is for this reason that the Department of Transport has intensified efforts to develop and improve South Africa's transport system to serve as a catalyst for social and economic development.
Accordingly, the spending focus over the next year will predominantly be on firstly, maintaining road infrastructure; secondly, upgrading rail infrastructure and services; and thirdly, constructing and operating public transportation infrastructure. Expenditure in these three areas will include the following transfers, which comprise an average of 96,1% of the total budget allocation of the Department of Transport over the medium term.
The state-owned companies that fall under the remit of the Department of Transport will be allocated the following disbursements and grants. The Passenger Rail Agency of SA, Prasa, will be allocated R3,678 billion for current operations and R7,48 billion for capital infrastructure. Sanral will be allocated R3,454 billion for current operations and R7,043 billion for capital infrastructure.
Grants will be allocated to the Provincial Road Asset Maintenance Grant in the amount of R8,696 billion; the Rural Roads Asset Management System Grant will receive R52,2 million; and the Public Transport Infrastructure, Operations and Network Grants will receive R5,55 billion.
Other transfer payments will include the following: the Road Traffic Management Corporation, R167 million; the Railway Safety Regulator, R46,5 million; the Road Traffic Infringement Agency, R25 million; the SA Maritime Safety Authority, R6,4 million; the SA Civilian Aviation Authority, R18,15 million and the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme, R522 million.
In line with the perspective of an integrated transport model, the spending focus in the medium term will be on developing and implementing strategies based on a multimodal national system of transport. Major projects in this regard will include the establishment of a single transport economic regulator; the establishment of a macro planning framework; the implementation of a national corridor framework; the finalisation of the update of the national freight database; and the completion and analysis of the National Household Survey.
The following overarching development principles remain cardinal in relation to the foregoing, namely; balancing the development of new infrastructure with the ongoing maintenance of existing infrastructure; improving infrastructure links with rural, financial and human resource-challenged provinces; addressing capacity constraints and improving co-ordination and integration; and scaling up investment in infrastructure.
Four key sectors remain central to the envisaged developments, namely, transport, water and sanitation, energy and communications.
In this regard, the Department of Transport continues to play a central role in the following two strategic infrastructure projects: Firstly, the Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor; and secondly, the unlocking of the economic potential and opportunities in the North West province.
Furthermore, the department plays a supportive role in other strategic infrastructure projects. Balanced investment in transport infrastructure will lead South Africa to efficient and sustainable growth, mobility and community access. It is important that the cost of doing business in South Africa is reduced in order to ensure that our economy remains competitive in global markets.
Within the period under review, the procurement process for the fleet renewal programme of Passenger Rail Association of South Africa was concluded in December 2012. The success of the programme will lead to a new coach-building and locomotive assembly plant being established in the Gauteng province. As a result of this 8 300 direct jobs will be created ... [Applause.] ... and another 22 000 jobs will be created through localisation.
The Accelerated Rolling Stock Programme has been concluded and has resulted in the following: A total of 579 coaches being delivered to Metrorail in 2012-13; 3 coaches to Shosholoza Meyl; and 9 locomotives upgraded at a cost of more than R1,3 billion.
Furthermore, 49 stations were upgraded and improved as part of the National Station Improvement Programme at a cost of R221 million. The total capital spend of R6,2 billion was reached at the end of March 2013. [Applause.] However, the conundrum we face is that whilst the increase in capital subsidy is in line with the strategy to modernise public transport, the operational subsidy is below the levels required to sustain the envisaged growth strategy. The operational subsidy decreased by 1% in real terms between 2010 and 2012.
In the medium term, the focus in rail will continue to be on the upgrading and expansion of the priority commuter rail corridors. The safety of commuters, especially children who reside very close to railway lines as a result of poor apartheid spatial development planning, continues to be a serious concern to the Rail Safety Regulator, RSR.
Evidential data points to the fact that accidents where persons are struck by trains in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and in the Western Cape is primarily because of poor spatial planning. On the other hand, criminal activities such as cable theft, and the theft and vandalising of signalling equipment remain sources of concern, as it results in exorbitant operational costs. Prasa, the RSR and the SA Police Service continue to refine and align their systems in order to deal decisively with this problem that amounts to economic sabotage.
As I mentioned earlier, Sanral received R3,454 billion for current operations and R7,043 billion for capital infrastructure. South Africa has a total road network of 750 000 km, of which 17 000 km is managed by Sanral. The nontoll road network accounts for 83,1% of the national road network, which is funded by the Fiscus. The balance of 16,9% forms part of the toll portfolio network of roads.
During the 2012-13 financial year, Sanral awarded 202 contracts for new works, rehabilitation and improvement, periodic and special maintenance, routine road maintenance, community development, supervision and other activities to the value of R11,6 billion, with R9,5 billion being spent on nontoll roads. Sanral spent a total of R1,8 billion on contracts with small medium and micro enterprises, of which R1,2 billion went to black-owned firms for both toll and nontoll roads. Sanral will continue to implement nontoll projects during the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, period.
With regard to road traffic management, the Road Traffic Management Corporation has redefined the National Rolling Enforcement Plan to provide a platform for co-ordinated law enforcement and visible policing in South Africa. It has exceeded its target of stopping and checking a million vehicles per month by approximately 1,5%. Its new target now is 1,1 million per month.
Road traffic interventions for the 2013-14 period will include the following three focus areas: Firstly, the International Road Assessment Programme, which will assess road safety solutions that relate to road infrastructure. The aim has been set to pass 4 000 km of road in the 2013-14 financial year; secondly, the establishment of a Crash Information Management System that will provide the public with statistics; and thirdly, the establishment of a new qualifications framework for traffic officers. The Deputy Minister will expand further on the work of our road safety agencies and cover other aspects of her delegated responsibilities.
With regard to maritime transport, the lodestar of our campaign to promote the maritime sector and to encourage its greater industrialisation was to declare the year 2013 Maritime Year. South Africa has a coastline of over 3 000 km and is a strategic hub for international merchant ships connecting the global East and West. Notwithstanding this strategic location, South Africa does not own a single flag-carrying ship, which means that it has to rely on foreign shipping companies to transport its outbound and inbound seaborne cargo at a direct cost to the economy of approximately R34 billion according to the 2012 estimates.
We are working closely with the SA Maritime Safety Authority, Samsa, and maritime stakeholders to unlock South Africa's maritime potential. Furthermore, we have signed the Djibouti Code of Conduct that empowers South Africa to share resources and information with other countries in the fight against piracy and other crimes at sea.
This year's major projects will include the finalisation of an enabling Maritime Transport Policy, the development of a Green Paper on maritime shipping and conclude consultations on the Ballast Water Management Bill; the finalisation and launch of the Inland Waterways Strategy; the finalisation and adoption of the Maritime Transport Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, BBBEE, implementation plan, and the appointment of its council; and together with the departments of Higher Education and Training and Basic Education, we will launch maritime education and training initiatives at no fewer than 10 further education and training colleges countrywide, and at one high school per coastal province.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Deputy Minister, the Ministry, department officials and staff for their unwavering support and commitment to the Ministry. We request hon members to support our budget. I thank you. [Applause.]
The TEMPORARY HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Prof L B G NDABANDABA) / AZM MNGUNI/TH/ END OF TAKE
The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
The TEMPORARY HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Prof L B G NDABANDABA): Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make before we proceed. Please desist from taking photographs, except, of course, the journalists. Thank you.
Ms N R BHENGU
The TEMPORARY HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Prof L B G NDABANDABA)
IsiZulu:
Nkz N R BHENGU: Mphathisihlalo, malungu ahloniphekile esiShayamthetho sikaZwelonke, oNgqongqoshe beMinyango namaSekela abo, nhloko yoMnyango wezokuThutha nethimba lakho, osihlalo bamabhodi ezinkampani nezinhlaka zoMnyango wezokuThutha, abaholi bezinhlangano zezokuthutha eNingizimu Afrika kanye nomphakathi waseNingizimu Afrika, i-ANC iyasesekela iSabiwomali soMnyango wezokuThutha. Lokhu sikwenza ngokukhulu ukuziqhenya ngoshintsho olwenziwe yi-African National Congress kwezokuthutha. [Ihlombe.]
Kuhle ngichaze ukuthi kungani iqembu lingithume ukuthi ngikhulume ngalezi zihloko engizozisho. I-African National Congress ithi mangikhulume ngichazele umphakathi ukuthi uhulumeni wayo wathola isimo esinjani kwezokuthutha kule lizwe ngesikhathi uthatha umbuso ngowe-1994. Ngiphinde ngichaze ukuthi wenzeni uMnyango wezokuThutha ukulungisa leso simo ulandela izinhlelo nemigomo ka-ANC. Ngizophinde ngichaze ukuthi yiziphi izingqinamba nezinselele ezikhona kwezokuthutha okumele zilungiswe.
Sikusho-ke loku ngoba sifuna ukusiza abantu bakithi nesizwe sonke eNingizimu Afrika ukuthi bangadlali oxovizwe abangalufuni ushintsho, babadlise ushevu bathi akukhulunywe ngenamuhla kungabukwa ukuthi kuphunywaphi. Phela bakusho lokho ngoba bayazi ukuthi bashiya inyavunyavu yenyakanyaka. [Ihlombe.] Sathatha izwe thina elalibuswa kungekho ngisho uhlelo lwenqubo yoMnyango wezokuThutha, phecelezi i-master plan.
Ezokuthutha zazingahleliwe ngendlela yokuthuthukisa izwe nokuveza amathuba emisebenzi nasezindaweni zabamnyama. Kwakuthuthuka lezi ndawo ezikopolotekile okwakuhlala kuzo abanezindlebe ezikhanya ilanga. [Uhleko.] Kwakungenamthetho owumkhombandlela kwezokuthutha ohambisana nendlela ehlelekile yokusetshenziswa komhlaba ngenhloso yokuthuthukisa zonke izinhlanga zaseNingizimu Afrika.
Imithetho kazwelonke neyezifundazwe kwezokuthutha yayingahambisani nemithetho yohulumeni basekhaya - kwakuwumagxum'ubheke le. Yenzani-ke i-ANC uma ifica isimo sibheda kanje? I-ANC yathatha umbuso ngonyaka we-1994 kodwa ngowe-1996 yayisikwazile ukukhipha uMthetho oDingidwayo weNqubomgomo yzokuThutha kaZwelonke owumkhombandlela wokuthuthukisa ezokuthutha.
Le nqubomgomo ibeka isixazululo sezinkinga ezikhona kwezokuthutha kanti futhi ibonisa ukuthi ezokuthutha ziwumgogodla wokuthuthukisa umnotho nokwenza amathuba emisebenzi. Ukuchaza ukuthi sisukaphi kuyosiza intsha yethu esakhasa kwezepolitiki ejatshuliswa ukunikezwa izikhundla nemali bese ivala amehlo yenziwe imikhovu okuthakathwa ngayo ekhaya. [Ihlombe.]
Mabi-ke amanga, lihle iqiniso. [Ubuwelewele.] Iqiniso wukuthi uhulumeni we-African National Congress wafica amanyala wodwa kwezokuthutha kuyo yonke imikhakha yezokuthutha: Imigwaqo, izithuthi zomphakathi, izitimela nezindiza; konke nje kwakuxovekile. Uhulumeni we-ANC wathola isimo sezemigwaqo singathuthukile ngokufanayo uma kuqhathaniswa izindawo ezazihlala abampofu nezigwili.
English:
There were uneven levels of development.
IsiZulu:
Imigwaqo yetiyela enezibani yayisemadolobheni kuphela. Imigwaqo yonke eNingizimu Afrika ingamakhilomitha ayizi-752 700, imigwaqo yetiyela exhuma izifundazwe ingamakhilomitha ayizi-6 700; kuyiphesenti elilodwa vo lalawa makhilomitha elalifakwe itiyela. Imigwaqo yezifundazwe ingamakhilomitha eyizi-367 000 isiyonke kuthi enetiyela ibe ngamakhilomitha eyizi-57 269, eyobhuqu nodaka ibe ngamakhilomitha ayizi-198 142. Imigwaqo engaziwa ukuthi ingaphansi kwasiphi isifundazwe nayo futhi ewubhuqu ingamakhilomitha ayizi-221 000 okungamaphesenti angama-29 - kubanjwa kuyekwa uma kufanele ilungiswe.
Imigwaqo engaphansi kohulumeni basekhaya nayo eyayimibi inemigodi futhi iwubhuqu ingamakhilomitha ayizi-168 000; okungamaphesenti angama- 23. Imigwaqo exhuma imiphakathi nezikhungo zomphakathi [access roads] nayo futhi engemihle ingamakhilomitha ayizi-88 531 okumele ifakwe itiyela. Ukwakhiwa kwemigwaqo yetiyela emakhaya naleyo exhuma imiphakathi yinto eqale ngoba sekuphethe i-ANC. [Ihlombe.] Ngaphambilini abantu abamnyama kwakuthiwa bona abaxove udaka. Imigwaqo eminingi yayiwubhuqu, kungahambeki kuyona uma izulu lina. Imigwaqo yetiyela kazwelonke kanye nezifundazwe isigugile okusho ukuthi sekumele igugulwe itiyela iqalwe phansi yakhiwe kabusha. Yileyo nyakanyaka esayifica.
I-ANC yathi uma ifica lesi simo yabona ukuthi angeke uhulumeni yedwa abe nayo imali eyanele yokulungisa imigwaqo emidala nokwakha imigwaqo emisha. Ukubhekana nale simo uMongameli wokuqala waseNingizimu Afrika ekhululekile wethula uMkhakhaso kaMasakhane ngowe-1995 enemigomo emine yokubhekana nale simo. Umkhamkhaso wokuqala, ukukhuthaza imiphakathi ukuthi labo abanamandla bakhokhele izidingo. Ukukhokhelwa kwezidingo zomphakathi yilabo abazisebenzisayo, phecelezi i-user pay system policy. Ukuxhaswa kwabampofu yilabo abayizigwili nabadla kangcono ebizwa nge-cross subsidisation kanye nokunikeza abampofu izidingo bangakhokhiswa lutho.
Yile migomo eyalandelwa ngesikhathi kusungulwa i-Sanral ngowe-1998 inikezwa amandla okuboleka izimali zokwakha imigwaqo ekhokhelwayo eyayizoshushuluza labo abadla izambane likapondo. [Ubuwelewele.] Abantu abampofu abahamba ngezithuthi zomphakathi okungamabhasi namatekisi abayikhokheli imigwaqo ekhokhelwayo ngoba izithuthi zomphakathi nazo aziyikhokheli le migwaqo. [Ubuwelewele.]
Yini i- Integrated Transport Systems eyafika ne-ANC? Wuhlelo lokuxhumanisa ezokuthutha nokuzihlela ngendlela eyenza kube lula ukuheha abatshalizimali, ukuthuthukisa izindawo ezingathuthukile kwenze nomphakathi uhambe kalula. ENingizimu Afrika kuseGauteng kuphela lapho kuhlolwa khona le ndlela yokuthuthukisa ezokuthutha. La kukhuliswe khona isikhumulo sezindiza i-O R Tambo, kwakhiwa imizila ye-Gautrain kwafakwa isitimela esigijima ngejubane elikhulu. [Ihlombe.] Kulungiswe iziteshi zezitimela kwalungiswa nezitimela zaba zinhle. Kwafakwa i-BRT ebizwa ngokuthi yi-Rea Vaya, exhumanisa amatekisi namabhasi yezokuthutha eyenze ukuba kuphele nodlame olwalukhona phakathi kwamabhasi namatekisi neyenza ukuthi abamatekisi bakwazi ukungena emkhakheni wezomnotho [main stream of the economy]. Yilolo hlelo thina esilubiza ngo-Intergrated Transport. [Ihlombe.] Lolo hlelo-ke, balalele kahle labo abathanda ukugxumisa abantu, luhlanganisa nokwakhiwa kwemigwaqo ekhokhelwayo ngoba leyo migwaqo ihamba laba abadla izambane likapondo, abakade baba nemigwaqo emihle ngenkathi thina sixova udaka ezindaweni zasemakhaya. [Ubuwelewele.]
Umuntu oneqiniso ulubuka lonke lolu hlelo lokuthuthukisa angakopoloti imigwaqo le ekhokhelwayo bese ebanga umsindo ngayo. Angeke kwaba yiqiniso ukuthi abantu basemakhaya abangekabi nayo imigwaqo yetiyela kuthiwe abakhokhele imigwaqo abangayisebenzisi esetshenziswa yizigwili zaseGoli ezihamba ngezimoto uma ziya emsebenzini. [Ihlombe.] Abasebenzi baseGoli abahamba ngezithuthi zomphakathi alubathinti lolu daba, abathule bona. Abantu basemakhaya basaxova udaka nanamhlanje. Abagulayo baqhutshwa ngamabhala uma beya emitholampilo, ngabe asinalo iqiniso uma singathi abahluphekayo makube yibona abaxhasa abadla kahle. Umgomo weMasakhane we-cross subsidisation awusho ukuthi akube ngabampofu abaxhasa abadla kahle. Ngakho-ke siyayicela i-Cosatu ukuthi ilubhekisise kahle lolu daba lokulwisa i- Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, i-GFIP, ingazitholi isisetshenziswa ukulwa izimpi ezingabathinti abasebenzi nabantu abampofu.
I-ANC iyaluseka uhlelo lwe-Integrated Transport System. [Ubuwelewele.] Sizoqala manje sibheke ukuthi lolu hlelo oluqale eGauteng lunaziphi izimpawu okuyodinga sizilungise ngaphambi kokuthi sidlulele kwezinye izindawo eNingizimu Afrika.
Mphathisihlalo, inzima impilo ezindaweni zasemakhaya, kunezindawo lapho izingane zesikole zisawela imifula emikhulu uma ziya ezikoleni. Leso simo sokulungisa ukuthi kwakhiwe amabhuloho siqale ngoba sekuphethe uhulumeni we-ANC ngowe-1994. Nohulumeni abamnyama imbala njengowase-Transkei nowaKwaZulu-Natali baqhubeka basebenzisa umhlaba ngendlela eyayihlelwe wuhulumeni wobandlululo. Baqhubeka bakha izikole ngaphesheya kwemifula nemizi kwagwiliza abantu uma beya esikoleni. Wumuntu owayehluleka wukucabanga owayengabeka isikole ngaphesheya komfula, sibe kude le nomphakathi. Leyo nyakanyaka-ke isilungiswa wukhongolose namhlanje. Kusho ukuthi thina siyashabasheka siyakolobha.
Abantu abahlala e-Soweto babeze bazichaze ngokuthi bona baphuma emigwaqweni yase-Soweto enezintuli. Kwakuneqembu lomculo elalibizwa ngokuthi ama-Dark City Sisters ngoba labo baculi babehlala elokishini elalingenagesi. Namhlanje izitaladi zase-Soweto ziyitiyela, ziyakhanya, abasasho abantu base-Soweto ukuthi bavela emigwaqeni yase-Soweto enezintuli. [Ubuwelewele.] Lonke lolo shintsho lwenziwe yi-African National Congress. Abanamehlo bayakubona lokho.[Ihlombe.]
Ungakhulumi ngemigodi ngoba yithina esize nohlelo lokulungisa imigodi. Sikolobha inyakanyaka yokhokho bakho.
Oxovizwe bayashabasheka babheca abantu ngodaka emehlweni bathi kumnyama kube kukhanya esikhundleni sokuthi bathi kumnyama ezingqondweni zabo uma bengaluboni ushintsho olwenziwa yi-ANC kwezokuthutha. I-ANC yafica ubugoxogoxo bezitimela, ezihamba kancane kungekho mizila exhumana nesikhumulo sezindiza. Namhlanje i-Gautrain ishwibeka ize iyongena esikhumulweni sezindiza i-O R Tambo. [Ihlombe.]Izitimela ezazihamba...[Ubuwelewele.]... thula ngizoza kuwena. Izitimela ezazihamba emakhaya kwakuyilezi ezithwala izingodo, umoba namalahle.
Imizila yezitimela yagcina ingasanakekelwa nalezo zitimela zazingasazithuthi nalezo zingodo. Izingodo zathathwa zafakwa emalolini. Amaloli abulala imigwaqo. Yingakho i-National Development Plan ikhomba ukuthi kumele kulungiswe imigwaqo yaseMpumalanga egugiswe amaloli athutha amalahle ezimayini – amaloli abo bona laba abadla izambane likapondo. I-NDP iphinde ithi akulungiswe imizila yezitimela ezithutha izimpahla kuncishiswe ukuthuthwa kwezimpahla ngamaloli ukuze kube lula ukuhwebelana kwamazwe ase-Afrika. Kwakhiwe imizila ezoxhuma amadolobha angaxhumene.
Lokhu okubalulwa yi-NDP kuyafana nalokho ukushiwo yi-National Transport Master Plan, okuwuhlelo jikelele lwezokuthutha, olwenziwe wuMnyango wezokuThutha kuzwelonke kuhulumeni we-ANC. Umkhakha wezindiza yiwona owawunobandlululo kakhulu ukudlula yonke eminye imikhakha yezokuthutha kule lizwe. Abantu abamnyama babengawashayeli amabhanoyi. Umshayeli wokuqala webhanoyi owasebenzela i-South African Airways nguKapteni Mpho Mamashele oqashwe ngoba sekuphethe i-ANC. [Ihlombe.]
Izingane ezizalwe isikhululekile iNingizimu Afrika zingacabanga ukuthi ngixoxa inganekwane uma ngithi: Mina lo ngenxa yokuthi ngizalwa endaweni yasemakhaya le kwaMachi la singekho isikhumulo sezindiza. Ngangiphumela emnyango nabangani bami sime, siyeke ukudlala uma kudlula ibhanoyi. Siphakamise izandla sithi "hamba bhanoyi utshele ubaba akuphathise amaswidi eGoli".[ Ihlombe.]
Namhlanje sekunezikhungo zikanokusho. Uhulumeni we-ANC usenwebe isikhumulo sezindiza i-OR Tambo sengathi uhamba eJerusalema. [Ihlombe.] Isikhumulo sezindiza i-Cape Town International ungaphaka ukudla udlele phansi kumathayili. Kwakhiwe isikhumulo esisha kwaZulu-Natali i-King Shaka kwanwetshwa nezikhumulo ezincane. Namhlanje, thina labo esasithathazela amabhanoyi yithi kanye esesiwagibela. [Ihlombe.] I-Air Traffic Navigation System yaseNingizimu Afrika isisetshenziswa nangamanye amazwe.
Thina sesibe ne-CEO yesifazane kwa-Acsa namanje sinentokazi encane la uPopi Khoza. IPhini likaNgqongqoshe lizolubeka udaba ngaye uPopi.[Ihlombe.] Yimigomo le ye-ANC ethuthukisa abantu abamnyama, abesifazane kanye nababecindezelwe.
Uma siza emkhakheni wezokuthutha ngamanzi, hhayi bakwethu, kuvuka uhlevane. Kwazise phela umkhumbi wa-Jan Van Riebeeck owagudla ulwandle lwethu ngowe-1652 wasilethela okunye ukuhlupheka. [Uhleko.]
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Prof L B G Ndabadaba): Order, order!
IsiZulu:
Lungu elihloniphekile ususalelwe umzuzu owodwa.
Nkz N R BHENGU: Okubuhlungu kakhulu kulo mkhakha wukudayiswa kwemikhumbi engama-57 ngowezi-1993 sekuntwela ezansi. [Ubuwelewele.] Kuvalwa-ke manje kuthiwa thina singangeni kulo mkhakha siyi-ANC siyasesekela iSabiwomali sithi "qhubeka ANC ulungise isimo sezokuthutha eNingizimu Afrika". Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.]
Mr I M OLLIS / GG / TAKE ENDS AT 14:45:25.
Ms N R BHENGU
Mr I M OLLIS: Chairperson, hon Ministers, colleagues, friends, molweni nonke. [Good day to you all.] Apartheid really did leave South Africa with a severe backlog in education, housing and job opportunities in a spatial framework that institutionalised racial divides in geographic planning and infrastructure roll-out. This left South Africans in 1994 very divided and without the means to take advantage of the limited opportunities available.
An ageing and inadequate transport system was no match for the whole Herculean task of turning an apartheid South Africa into a modern economy capable of providing jobs and opportunities for all. Transportation is potentially one of the great vehicles available to us as legislators and government to bring people closer together, bearing in mind that it is the spatial divide that provides greater access to these opportunities.
Strides have been made in that direction. We have award-winning new airports, as we have just heard, and the decision to purchase new rolling stock for Metrorail and replacing the signalling system with new technology will undoubtedly improve the speed and reliability of trains. This massive infrastructure project will also create jobs and lead to a much needed skills transfer.
A further bonus is that the unit cost of R9 million per coach will be cheaper than the R10 million per coach for Gautrain coaches. The DA will carefully watch the roll-out of this tender, however, as we cannot afford yet another arms deal debacle. The South African taxpayer cannot afford to pay undue donations to the politically connected, being ripped off for another Mercedes 4x4, perhaps, or a saucy deal for Chancellor House. [Interjections.]
I must, however, support the Minister of Transport with so early on recognising the need to shut down the Road Traffic Management Corporation, RTMC, and voting with the board of shareholders to close this entity, which has been unable to deal with our tragic road death rate. It needs to be replaced - and I am quite sincere in this - with a provincially managed and properly trained police task force. The Minister must be congratulated on seeing the problem early in his term of office as people's lives are on the line.
Now let me turn to the bad. Government's funding models are hopelessly wrong on a number of key infrastructure investments. The e-toll is the obvious one. SA National Roads Agency Limited, Sanral, misleads us by stating that the road maintenance backlog is about R149 billion, which means we have to have new toll roads across the country. Unfortunately for the argument the maths not add up. I previously referred to the studies by the Automobile Association and Southern African Bitumen Association, Sabita, but if you look also at the annual budget documents provided by the Treasury and also those supplied by the Auditor-General, you can clearly see that between 2003 and 2008 an average of more than R21 billion was collected from the fuel levy, while only R7,4 billion was spent on the roads. That leaves R14 billion wasted by this government on other projects. If you had approximately R14 billion per annum from 1994 till 2010, that gives you about R238 billion of fuel levies which were misused, and we only need R149 billion to fix the backlog. Where is the problem? [Applause.] [Interjections.] Government spent the money and now maintains that we have to pay again to afford our roads.
Today I can reveal another crisis. While Eskom is begging everyone to switch off their heaters and geysers, Metrorail is leaving 200 trains or so switched on all night, with motors running, lights on in all the carriages and in some cases heaters switched on, heating empty trains all night.
When I heard of this shocking waste, I did what Hellen Suzman always said we should do. I went to see for myself. I went train spotting. Here I have a photograph, can you see, can you see the trains that are switched on? [Laughter.] This is 22h30 last Friday night at the Elandsfontein Railway Station.
Six out of all six trains that were there were switched on, had the lights on, the motors on and humming while people were shivering in their homes, Minister. This winter, with loadshedding in Gauteng, they can rest safe in the knowledge that just down the road at a local train depot there are hundreds of train carriages piping hot inside for nobody.
Minister, I am sure Eskom is watching this television broadcast and is looking for your phone number to call you about this little problem. I have met with Metrorail staff and they told me that the trains are kept running 24 hours a day with lights and heaters on because their maintenance is so bad that if they switched off the trains, they cannot get them to restart in the morning. [Interjections.] We need an investigation into how much money and electricity is being wasted by this poor maintenance.
What really concerns me about Prasa, however, is that it appears that the management is colluding with SA Transport and Allied Workers Union, Satawu, to keep the National Transport Movement, NTM, from being recognised by delaying a proper audit of Satawu, NTM and other unions to establish which members are actually members of which union at present.
The Passenger Rail Service of South Africa, Prasa, went and fired 1 027 members of the NTM. The firing appears to be unfair dismissals designed to prevent NTM from reaching the threshold required for recognition. Allegations have been made by Prasa regarding NTM members burning trains, but without evidence. Government must play fair with the new unions instead of always protecting and covering up for the Congress of South African Trade Unions, Cosatu. It has been reported to me that Metrorail and Prasa are refusing to cancel monthly deductions from the staff in favour of Satawu when they resign in writing from Satawu. This amounts to an employer and a union colluding to keep the newcomers out. It is morally wrong.
My inspections, research and meetings with unions are, ofcourse, just the job of an ordinary Member of Parliament. The Department of Transport does not seem to believe in that kind of accurate research.
The road death figures are notoriously unreliable. The figures of the Road Traffic Management Corporation show that we have about 14 000 road deaths annually. However, the figures from the National Institute of Mortality Studies, those from the Medical Research Council, together with the United Nations Research Council, show that the RTMC's figures are completely wrong. The RTMC estimated that there were 13 768 road deaths in 2009, whereas this survey by the Medical Research Council estimated that 17 103 road deaths had occurred. That represents a whopping 3 335 dead people that nobody at the RTMC knows about.
The Department of Transport just shrugs and says, oh well, those are the figures given to them by the police. After speaking to medical professionals, I believe that the reason for this grossly wrong number is that the police apparently only record death at the scene. If someone dies in the ambulance or in a hospital later, those figures are not captured. But if you cannot get the figures right, Minister, how do you expect our deployment of traffic police, our drunk driving inspections or oadworthy vehicle inspections to be right?
I must congratulate the MEC of Transport in the Western Cape, Robin Carlisle, and the Western Cape Traffic police on their excellent record of reducing the road death total by a whopping 31% since we took office. Deaths reduced from 1 739 per annum in 2008 to an annual mere 1 202 by February 2013. This is a result of using accurate data and getting rid of drunk driving and unroadworthy vehicles. Ask the Western Cape bus drivers if you do not believe me. [Applause.]
My final revelation of gross corruption is that this report tabled today is a report into the massive roadworthy certificate fraud in South Africa. It was commissioned by your predecessor, Minister, hon Sbu Ndebele, and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. A private company, AST Africa, was appointed to conduct an investigation and they produced a report with photographic evidence. They looked at test stations and got hold of fake documents and concluded that many tens of thousands of fake roadworthy certificates have been issued by vehicle testing centres, particularly in Gauteng, on the payment of about R1 500 for a fake roadworthy certificate to be issued without the vehicle even being presented for inspection. [Interjections.]
At one testing station in Gauteng, the report states, "If this station operated nine hours a day continuously during this period, including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays they would have to test a car every six minutes to achieve this total of 12 212 certificates that they issued, and of these 5 740 were actually vehicles that were in KwaZulu-Natal. One operator advertised brazenly in the newspaper, "can organise roadworthy certificate without vehicle. Phone if interested". He charges R1 300; in Stanger, would you believe? Surveillance was conducted, that Hawks were called in and a national task team was formed by the national Department of Transport, and a few arrests were made.
This vehicle here which, you can see, is a burnt-out wreck, was given a roadworthy certificate. The question I have to ask, Minister, is this: Why, after only a few arrests, was this investigation cancelled? The national task team was shut down and this report was then buried. It disappeared. Many of these testing stations continue to operate and tens of thousands of vehicles on our roads have fake roadworthy certificates.
The death statistics are wrong. The RTMC has not worked. Many coffins on wheels are out there, with drunk drivers and fake roadworthy certificates, and the department appears to be turning a blind eye. What do we say to the mothers of the children who are killed?
Minister, I would like go give you a copy of this report in case they have lost it in the department. [Applause.]
Finally, let me just say that we have a serious vandalism problem when the transformers for the lights on the R21 highway have been stolen three times, one realises how bad the crime is. But one needs a crane and a flatbed ruck to steal and electrical transformer.
Trains are being vandalised in Gauten, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape because hundreds of kilometres of walling and fencing have been broken down. MPs need only look at the missing fence outside Acacia Park Parliamentary Village, and you will see the problem. There is simply not enough money in this budget, Minister, for walling, fencing and security measures for our transport infrastructure. We need to do better. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr P D MBHELE / TAKE ENDS AT 14:56:52.
Mr I M OLLIS
Mr P D MBHELE: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members and invited guests, the rapture should start on a lighter note, with Dr Mathole Motshekga and the chief executive officer of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Prasa, Lucky Montana. The rapture should start by congratulating you on your team's recent success stories. Though I am doing this under protest, I had no choice. I had to do this because the ANC Chief Whip nearly bit my head off when I was criticising Chiefs that other day.
Getting back to the business of the day, from where we are as Cope, the picture of public transport is not impressive at all. The public transport system faces many challenges, including lack of integration, information and poor infrastructure. The public transport system lacks community involvement, responsibility and accountability. [Interjections.] Louder, louder, hon member, louder, I can't hear you! The poorest are paying the most for transport through e-tolling, scholar transport, taxi industry and Shova Kalula, to name but a few. They are perfect examples of these challenges.
With regard to e-tolling, Minister Ben Martins pulled an economic hare out of his hat last week during the debate on the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill in the National Council of Provinces. NCOP members were told that the budget deficit is growing, the credit ratings of both government and South African National Road Agency Limited, Sanral, will be negatively affected and e-tolling is the only way out of the economic mess. This made the NCOP members of the ruling party adopt the Bill thinking that the South African economy would grow first thing tomorrow morning. They also denied the people's Parliament a say in the determination of the toll road fees, entrenching the culture of not putting people first.
While they were adopting the Bill, Cosatu, a member of the tripartite alliance, with the support of dozens of civil society organisations were busy preparing for the protest against e-tolling. The question is: Are Cosatu and civil society not concerned about the economy of the country?
The Western Cape High Court granted the City of Cape Town an interim interdict halting the proposed N1/N2 Winelands toll highway by Sanral. Is the judge therefore not concerned about the country's economy?
In Kwazulu-Natal, Sanral scrapped the plans to construct asimilar toll road along the N2 Wild Coast highway. Was Sanral not concerned about the economy of the country when it arrived at that decision? It is not true that there are no other alternative sources to funding but e-tolling? We know the petrol levy is one such option. You know, in life some things can be factual and so logical, but still remain completely untrue. It is untrue that a motorist in Gauteng, just because he has a car, is financially able and flourishing. It is completely untrue. [Interjections.]
We as Cope find it totally disconcerting that the department have tasked the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency, CBRTA, to do the collection of tolls on behalf of Sanral when the CBRTA's objectives have nothing to do with this deployment, when a better placed entity would have been the Road Traffic Management Corporation.
On the issue of scholar transport, how is it that the department has not completed the Scholar Transport Policy in 2013, when we have only less than a year to go to wind up the five-year term? In 2010, I lamented the scholar transport situation, which is characterised by a series of fragmented guidelines that have yet to result in a co-ordinated and effective strategy to ensure a safe, efficient and affordable journey to school for the majority of the nation's scholars. We have less than a year to wind up our five-year term and the department is still singing the same song, that it is about to complete the Scholar Transport Policy.
In six out of seven provinces, the scholar transport is with the Department of Basic Education. In three provinces, there is no indication that they intend involving the Department of Transport to provide policy direction or to facilitate migration of the functions, and only in one province the functions of the scholar transport is with the Department of Transport.
As a result, transport continues to be one of the largest components of the cost of education and represents a serious obstacle to accessing basic education. [Interjections.] Only if you listen, S'bu, will you learn. The costs of transport are extremely high for poorer families, therefore rates of absenteeism from school are higher in poorer households. To quantify the problem, taxi expenditures range from R250 to R400 a month in the Western Cape alone for a learner to commute to school, without taking into consideration the number of kilometres travelled by each learner.
The argument put forward by the taxi operators is that car parts and the petrol price have a major impact on increased transport costs. The dilemma with this argument is that when the petrol price drops, the transport costs remain the same. An obvious result of high transport costs for many learners is the choice between walking long distances and staying at home.
On Shova Kalula, the distances that has to be walked by rural or farm school students are sometimes as long as 30 km each way. Naturally, walking such distances has an adverse effect on the quality and availability of basic education. Schoolwork and the physical safety and wellbeing of those who choose to walk to school are affected by the cost of and inability to access transport.
A number of mainstream newspaper articles have corroborated the safety issue over the past several years, and they have chronicled the long distances that learners walk to school and the dangers that they face along the way in terms of crime, violence, overflowing rivers and traffic accidents. Honestly, bicycles are similar to walking, because learners are also exposed to harsh weather conditions and crime. [Interjections.]
In conclusion ... [Interjections.] ...you know, when the ANC is making a commotion like this, you must know that I am doing a good job. [Laughter.] In conclusion, the taxi industry will continue to be hard done by and remain a hurdle that the government has just been unable to overcome. It is not in the interest of the country for the taxi industry issues to remain unresolved. Commuters have a right to a good service, legal cover and safety. We are still waiting to hear when and how the problems of the taxi industry are going to be put to rest.
To quantify this, the department is still bogged down in scrapping taxis. We all know that it is not winning in this regard. When the department arrived at a particular fee that will be given to a taxi for scrapping, it did so without taking into consideration the issues around fuel prices and the issues of inflation. Taxi owners, like every average and poor South African, are faced with rising costs of everything from food prices to electricity hikes. How is the department expecting the owners to finance and service their vehicles remains a question to be answered by this government. When will the millions of taxi commuters be subsidised like the bus commuters? This is another question that the department still has to answer. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr K P SITHOLE / Kn / TAKE ENDS AT 15:05:22.
Mr P D MBHELE
Mr K P SITHOLE: Hon Chairperson, I will start by saying that the IFP supports Budget Vote No 37. [Applause.]
However, this support comes with concerns that still need the department's attention. The first concern has to do with the Gauteng e-tolling saga, where the SA National Roads Agency, Sanral, and the Transport Department insist on going ahead with it despite the continued massive public outcry, from the Congress of South African Trade Unions, Cosatu, protests by organisations, the opposition, and the Urban Tolling Alliance group taking the department to court. The Minister's statement in the NCOP implied that tolling was the only way to pay for road development. This shows either a lack of research on his part or a deliberate move to ignore the concerns of the general public.
With no proper public engagement done on the issue, Minister ...
IsiZulu:
...ngangikhona e-Gauteng kanye nase-Tswane, lapho abantu basho kahle bathi: Mayingaqhubeki i-e-tolling.[Ubuwelewele.]
English:
It is cause for concer that the department is determined to push through with e-tolling without listening to the will of the people. E-tolling cannot be expected to succeed while such massive opposition to it still exists.
The department needs to improve the level of service that is provided to the people, but not at the expense of the very people that they serve. The road can and should be maintained with the current funds from the department and not by overburdening the population with additional tax for using public transport.
IsiZulu:
Bathini abaholi base-Gauteng, ikakhulukazi abangamalungu e-SACP? Bathini abaholi baKhongolose abahlala e-Gauteng? Bathini abaholi be-Cosatu abahlala e-Gauteng? Ngabe basakhuluma ulimi lwabantu base-Gauteng noma sebekhuluma olwabo? Mina ngikhuluma njengomuntu ohlala e-Gauteng futhi oyaziyo impilo yase-Gauteng. Abantu base-Gauteng bathi phansi nge-e-tolling. [Ubuwelewele.]
English:
As the department continues to fight our people when it comes to the issue of e-tolls, potholes seem to be ignored and allowed to worsen around the country. Whenever potholes are reported, and the department actually decides to fix them, concrete is sometimes used as a temporary solution, which only makes things worse over time. Vehicles are damaged because of these potholes and even serious and sometimes fatal accidents are caused by them. If the department put sincere effort to fixing the roads properly, we will see the massive reduction in accidents and damage to vehicles.
The department continues to subsidise big bus companies at the expense of small companies that find it difficult to compete with the big companies. The smaller companies struggle to even get government contracts because these contracts are normally allocated to larger companies, undercutting the abilities of smaller business owners to expand and contribute to the growth of the economy and transportation in the country. Any further investment in the transport sector must include the smaller industry players so as to encourage a robust and healthy competitive environment for all stakeholders.
The taxi recapitalisation programme, on the one hand, can be hailed as a success as many taxis that were not roadworthy were removed from our roads. However, the lack of proper financial management of the programme's budget means that a lot of money was spent on acquiring the taxis and very little, if any, was recovered from selling many parts of the taxi for recycling. Some aspects of recapitalisation processes have caused tensions within the taxi industry, with violence erupting in many places, mainly due to the fact that many taxi drivers and owners are not willing to embrace change.
The attempt to incorporate taxis into the changing mainstream transport system has always brought about friction and as much as there has been progress in the formalisation of the taxi industry, there is still resistance in many areas.
One of the other many contentions within the taxi industry is the issuing of licences. Due to the major backlog in the issuing of licences a large number of taxi drivers in the country do not have licences to operate their taxis, so they drive them illegally. This results in a situation where the taxi drivers try to earn an income in order to provide for their families, but fall foul of the law because they do not have operating licences. The department needs to have another look at the current licensing system and try to streamline the process as soon as possible, because the taxi industry is an essential part of the public transport system.
In its legitimate attempt to improve the country's roads, the department must work with the people and not antagonise them in improving our roads and reducing fatalities. Because transport is such a major part of our country's lifeblood, all major stakeholders must be involved in its advancement and not overlooked by a department that desires to have its way no matter what the cost. The department is there to serve the people - the people are not there to serve the department. If they are not listened to, no good will come of plans that the department has to improve our transport system.
IsiZulu:
Ngqongqoshe, ngicela uhambe uye kobheka umgwaqo osuka e-Slutshana uya e-Kranskop. Lo mgwaqo ungamakhilomitha ayi-170. Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.]
Ms D E DLAKUDE /// NPM / TAKE ENDS AT 15:11:47.
Mr K P SITHOLE
Ms D E DLAKUDE: Hon Chairperson, hon Ministers, Deputy Ministers, hon members, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, traffic management is a serious concern around the world asmore than 1,17 million people die in road crashes every year. Seventy percent of these deaths occur mostly in developing countries, whereby these countries lose in the region of US$1 billion every year to road accidents.
South Africa as a developing country has its own fair share in this regard. About 14 000 people are killed yearly due to road accidents. Carnage on South Africa's roads comes at a frightening cost in terms of human suffering. The Automobile Association of South Africa estimates that road accidents cost the country R158 billion in 2011. This took cognisance of damage and medical expenses as well as future payments by the Road Accident Fund. On the contrary, the Minister of Transport, hon Ben Martins, puts the annual cost to the economy due to road accidents at R306 billion.
Pedestrians account for 50% of road crash fatalities. It is estimated that if nothing drastic is done to curb this scourge, road crashes would be the second largest cause of death by 2020.
Hon Chairperson, as portfolio committee, we applaud the leadership of the Road Accident Fund. The Road Accident Fund has offices all over the country, especially in rural areas and some hospitals. This makes it easy for poor people to claim directly from this institution without any interference from any third party. [Applause.] This also saves both the client and the institution time and money.
The 2013 financial year saw a conscious improvement in customer centricity with initiatives such as RAF's On the Road Campaign. The Road Accident Fund's employees took to the roads to bring the organisation's core service offering directly to disadvantaged communities across the country.
This involves educating customers about the RAF and assisting them to lodge claims directly with the organisation, checking the status of existing claims, making settlement offers, issuing medical undertaking certificate and settling funeral claims.
In the 2012-13 RAF On the Road campaign at uMthatha, direct claims worth more than R18,6 million were settled in a single day, with the highest claimant being a 57-year-old school teacher who was left paralysed in a taxi accident, who received R3,9 million. [Applause.] By the end of March 2013, 15 communities and more than 8 000 customers were serviced. And settlement offers to the value of R102 million were made during this outreach campaign. This is what we call service delivery. This is much needed transformation in all government institutions, bringing services closer to the people.
Hon Chairperson, while the vehicle population on the country's roads are increasing every year, drivers' attitudes remain unchanged. Available evidence suggests that the primary risk group as far as road infringements are concerned are men between the ages of 18 and 45. Some of the contributory factors include speeding and losing control of the vehicle, lack of compliance in respect of seatbelts, driving while the person is intoxicated, driver and vehicle legality, fraud and corruption.
In addition, weekends from Fridays to Sundays are identified as the most dangerous days of the week. It is against this background that the Road Traffic Management Corporation was established through an Act of Parliament to respond - lalela [listen] - to the aforementioned challenges. This was also aimed at pooling powers and resources as well as eliminating fragmentation of responsibility of all aspects of road traffic management across the various levels of government.
Siswati:
Uyati kuvisana buhlungu kutsi bantfu batawusukuma lapha batesicambela emanga batsi i- Road Traffic Management Corporation, RTMC, kukhona lapho iya khona. I-RTMC ayiyi ndzawo, ihleti ihleti la, akukho lapho iya khona. Kunjalo nje sifuna kwatisa sive saseNingizimu Africa kutsi iRTMC yenta umsebenti lomuhle. Kunyenti loku leseyikushintjile.
Tsine ke lesitfunywe yiNhlangano yaKhongolose kulePhalamende siyatinika sikhatsi, asifani nani lenifana nemigololo yona letala bantfwana bese iyabayekela kutsi batikhulele. Tsine-ke bantfwana sibakhulisa ngendlela lengiyo.
Ngako-ke lenkhohlakalo lokhuluma ngayo hon [horrible] Ollis kutsi, utsi etikhungweni tekuhlola kunenkhohlakalo, angikukhumbute kutsi eKnysna khona lapha eNshonakoloni kuye kwaba nebhasi leyangena esikhungweni sekuvivinya eKnysna lafeyila, kwatsi emva kwemizuzu lengu 30 labuyela lelo bhasi lafike laphasiswa. Ngalona lelo langa lelo bhasi labulala bantfwana labangu 14 kanye nemshayeli walo. Labangema 44 balabo bantfwana balimala, ngako-ke lalela la.
English:
The RTMC's established anti-corruption unit will focus on corruption within the traffic fraternity, including the Western Cape. This unit is well placed to organise joint corruption-busting missions, with the RTMC having a seat on the development committee of Justice's crime prevention cluster. The RTMC launched "the Get There No Regrets Campaign" that targets all road users and creates public awareness of road safety initiatives.
The campaign is active in social media, finds expression in programmes and is tied to the duration of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 to 2020. Under the campaign communication includes the electronic medium and active campaigns targeting an array of activities and programmes.
Hon chairperson, in August 2012, the RTMC hosted the World Professional Drivers' Championships in South Africa, at Sun City in the North West province. The competition is crucial in improving the standards of professional driving and is linked to driver training. It attracted countries from across the globe and for the first time in the history of the championship five African countries competed successfully in the competition, and South Africa as a country fared very well in the standards of professional driving.
Hon Chairperson, the National Rolling Enforcement Plan, NREP, provides a platform for co-ordinated law enforcement and visible policing in the country. The target of stopping and checking a million vehicles per month has been exceeded by approximately 1,5% and therefore the target is now 1,1 million per month. I am repeating this intentionally, as the Minister has also alluded to this. The NREP has been refined and will have more focused targets to address some of the contributory factors of carnages on the road, drunk driving, to mention but one.
Hon Chairperson, a memorandum of understanding between the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the Department of Basic Education provides for a co-ordinated road safety approach in schools. In this regard, the core educational programmes of the corporation targeting learners have taken place during the year under review. This includes the national road safety debate competition, participatory educational techniques, along with the inclusion of the road safety curriculum in schools.
The driving school industry is a critical entity in the creation of new drivers. The regulations and standards of the industry remain critical for government to focus on. The corporation held a driving school summit, where more than 800 driving school instructors were present. The summit charted a way forward on the regulation of the industry and also provided a platform for recognition of a body that will represent the industry in South Africa.
Hon Chairperson, the ANC government has a firm and unwavering commitment to achieving the objective of road safety, and that extends to the Road Traffic Infringement Agency's, programme for the roll-out of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act.
The RTIA recognises that tge Aarto was implemented in a pilot phase in two Metros in Gauteng province, Tshwane and Johannesburg. This pilot was strategically implemented in recognition of the complicated nature of the Aarto Act and its involvement in the multiplicity of role-players. Thus, there is a need to strategically embark on a pilot first, in order to test the applicability of the systems and processes, identify weakness and loopholes with a view to implementing the necessary interventions prior to national roll-out.
Hon Chairperson, the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act needs to be implemented in incremental phases. The required processes are in place to ensure successful roll-out in the first phase, soon to be followed by the point demerit system in the 2014-15 period. A number of critical amendments to the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act are envisaged to be promulgated by the end of the current financial year, enabling new innovations to bolster the achievement of road safety targets.
The Road Traffic Infringement Agency will embark on intensive education and communication campaigns geared at empowering all road users with the requisite knowledge of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act, and the RTIA, and their responsibilities relating to road safety. As a portfolio committee, we recommend that the agency be supported with the necessary resources to enable it to carry out its mandate.
The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency, CBRTA, galvanised its efforts in support of the Decade of Action for Road Safety campaign by participating in various road safety initiatives and joint law enforcement initiatives. The agency also enhanced capacity within the road transport inspectorate by recruitment and deployment of additional law enforcement officers. This resulted in tangible improvement in law enforcement initiatives. There was significant increase in the number of prosecutions during the year under review.
The number of prosecutions increased from 11 549 to 15 384 and may be ascribed to the recruitment and deployment of additional inspectors in major cross-border corridors. The number of inspections rose from 124 624 in 2011-12 to 142 517 in 2012-13. This signifies a 14,4% corresponding increase in the number of inspections conducted during the financial year.
Hon Chairperson, in line with the priorities of government, the agency has successfully implemented empowerment programmes focusing on the development of cross-border operators participating in cross-border road transport, which were well received.
This has also led to the successful broadening of the support given to small, medium and micro enterprises in the industry. The programmes included empowering women in transport and trade, women's entrepreneurship training workshops, driver health and wellness programmes, youth development programmes and development of starter information notes for youth aspiring to venture into the cross-border industry.
The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency has increased participation in border operations and formed partnerships with bodies like the National Border Control Operational Co-ordination Committee. In so doing the agency also participated inand influenced key decisions with regard to operations at Beitbridge Border Post through full-time participation in the monthly inter-border committee meetings with Zimbabwe.
In promoting a more customer-centric culture, the agency strives to keep abreast with customer perceptions through periodic operator surveys that are conducted.
Hon Chairperson, the CBRTA will participate in linking the Africa project to improve Africa's and South Africa's competitiveness through mobilising stakeholders to improve efficiencies along the cross-border transport corridors to enhance trade. This initiative also aims to showcase projects aimed at linking Africa to enhance social and economic development.
The agency will continue to support the UN's Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-20 and will have initiatives targeting border communities, those rural communities adjacent to the borders, in the project roll-out. There will also be collaboration and joint operations with our neighbouring countries to reduce fatalities and drive the harmonisation of law enforcement standards and procedures.
Siswati:
Mhlonishwa losesihlalweni, i-Cross-Border Road Transport Agency, CBRTA, njengesikhungo sahulumende futsi lesinebuholi lobusebenta ngalokukhulu kutimisela, sibone kufanele silikomidi kutsi sitsi ngiyo lekufanele kutsi ibukane nekucoca letimali letitawukhokhwa kulemigwaco lebotsela wayeka yaseGauteng njengoba kusikhungo sahulumende. Emva kwekushaywa kwalomtsetfo lekutsiwa pheceleti yi-Transport Laws and Related Matters.
English:
Hon Chairperson, South Africa is doing well at an international level when it comes to aviation safety. South Africa is amongst the world leaders in the adoption of such technology, which is ... [Interjections.] what is happeninig? Sabotage. What I was trying to say is that South Africa as a country is doing well when it comes to international aviation. It is recognised worldwide for the very good job that it is doing. The South African Civil Aviation Authority is doing well when it comes to safety on commercial flights.
Hon Chairperson, South Africa has a zero accident rate and fatality rate in large commercial flights compared to the world average of 53% according to the International Civil Aviation Organization. Africa as a continent accounts for about 3,3% accidents per one million departures. South Africa continues to hold a good safety record on scheduled commercial operations, with a zero accident rate. This demonstrates the robustness of our regulatory framework and compliance with the legislation by the industry. [Applause.]
Hon Chair, the South African Civil Aviation Authority, Saca, authorised an alternative method of approval for the SAA-initiated special performance-based navigation procedures for use at the Cape Town International Airport. These procedures are the first of their type implemented in Africa. South Africa is amongst the world leaders in the adoption of such technology. The procedures allow for optimum performance, reducing fuel burn and noise and bring cost savings for certified airlines.
In an endeavour to create awareness an interest in aviation, especially among previously disadvantaged individuals, the South African Civil Aviation Authority has visited 538 schools. Sihlalo, Khongolose uyelisekela leliphakelo. [Chairperson, the ANC supports the Budget Vote.] [Time Expired.] [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
Ms D E HLAKUDE
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister of Transport, Mr Dikobe Ben Martins, chairperson, members of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, hon Members of Parliament, executive members, MECs of transport, acting director-general, officials of the Department of Transport, chairpersons of boards, chief executive officers of transport entities, distinguished guests, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen, South Africa as a country has come so far. We have seen so much, but there is still so much more to do to ensure safety and security in our oceans, skies, on our roads and railways and yes, we can. [Applause.]
In participating in this debate and tabling our Budget Vote of 2013-14, I will draw attention to four related issues. Firstly, the safety and security in the transport sector; secondly, the key deliverables for 2013-14; thirdly, the achievements from 2012 to 2013 and lastly, skills development and transformation in the transport sector. In this regard due to time constraints, we will highlight a few strategic projects for your attention.
Safety and security in the transport sector is a very critical instrument of our democracy enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. In the 2013-14 financial year, we committed R60 million for maritime services to improve safety in ship repairs and stevedoring operations to reduce casualties in the waters of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. [Applause.]
Our Maritime Safety and Security Development Programme is investing R6 million in the Boating and Inland Water Safety Project. The target market is the high inland waterway casualty and incident zones as well vulnerable communities. This project will also embark on an education and awareness campaign while increasing access to surveyor's examinations.
The Department of Transport and its agencies, on behalf of South Africa, hosted the diplomatic conference on the International Maritime Organisation in Cape Town. This conference led to the successful adoption of an agreement on the implementation of the Torremolinos Protocol of 1993, relating to the 1977 Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels. This is a resounding historic success for South Africa, who led an effective and intense lobbying process to ensure the final adoption of this agreement, which took 30 years for countries finally to adopt, and it happened in South Africa. [Applause.]
To practically implement the Torremolinos Protocol, we have committed R16 million to implementing the safe and sustainable fishing initiative with the aim of reducing the death of fishermen and providing safer and more efficient fishing vessels. Providing safety and securing waters is one of the primary roles of the South African Maritime Safety Authority. An amount of R15 million has been allocated to reduce deaths at sea and rescue human life through the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre. [Applause.] An amount of R9,5 million will be used to prevent and combat maritime pollution and promote safety of the environment through the pollution monitoring and control programme.
It is time that we as a country realise the centrality and strategic importance of our maritime economic sector. Yes, we can. [Applause.] It is a travesty of justice that South Africa contracts other countries for transportation of all its seaborne import and export cargo. This we are committed to changing. We can and we will. [Applause.]
We are mindful of our commitments as a country towards the achievement of the targets encompassed in the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, but more so of our duty to provide a safe environment to our citizens pursuant to the constitutional guarantee of the sanctity of life.
As the Department of Transport, we do have the operational 2006 National Road Safety Strategy. [Applause.] It is based on the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals and other policy precepts. However, as there have been major developments with the United Nations's Decade of Action 2011 to 2020 and the National Development Plan, we are reviewing our National Road Safety Strategy.
Our road safety approach is comprehensive, co-ordinated, inclusive and integrated and has effectively dealt with and addressed the challenge of fragmentation and duplication of functions between the department and its agencies.
In this regard, the Department of Transport, together with all its roads agencies, is in the process of finalising a 365-day road safety programme that is sustainable and will run consistently throughout the year.
We are spearheading the construction of pedestrian bridges, sidewalks and speed-calming measures in rural areas and townships. The department will also introduce measures aimed at reducing fatalities caused by stray animals. We are also looking at the number of law enforcement officers and the capacity of critical road agencies.
The use of technological devices such as cellphones, laptops and iPads came as a positive revolutionary communication tool in this era. But research shows that texting, making calls and use of other in-vehicle information and communication systems while driving are serious sources of driver distraction and increases the risk of accidents, and this is real in South Africa.
We are in communication with the relevant stakeholders to find an implementable and sustainable solution. We want to remind members of the community and South Africa that the use of a cellphone while driving is a criminal offence in South Africa. We urge all South Africans and parliamentarians to join forces and participate in our road safety programmes.
Regarding key deliverables for 2013-14, the Road Traffic Management Corporation established the anticorruption unit. It has allocated R12 million for programmes focusing on corruption within the traffic fraternity.
The Road Traffic Infringement Agency, Rtia, has crafted a practical and efficient plan to embark on the national roll-out of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act in this current financial year. This roll-out will be preceded by the Aarto national summit, planned to be hosted by the Rtia, and the department within three to four months, wherein all critical stakeholders will be afforded an opportunity to show their commitment for the Aarto roll-out this year. For this programme, we have allocated R324 million.
For the Road Accident Fund, the enactment and implementation of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme, Rabs, legislation will signal a major policy shift in post-apartheid South Africa. The new dispensation will present an opportunity for the simplification of the claims process by removing the burden to prove guilt or contributory fault on the part of another driver.
One of our priority areas is rail safety. We are seriously concerned and affected by rail-related accidents, which claim lives in numbers. Rail fatalities in South Africa are yet another silent killer, except when many people are involved.
Hon members will remember the two major rail accidents that occurred in 2012-13, one being the Hectorspruit level crossing in Mpumalanga and the other the Cor Delfos-Kalafong collision in Gauteng. Preliminary findings are out. However, the Railway Safety Regulator has set aside R1,6 million to conduct two boards of inquiry which will assist the department and the Rail Safety Regulator to find the root causes and develop recommendations to prevent a recurrence.
To promote environmental protection, the Air Traffic and Navigation Services is currently in the implementation phase of the sustainability and climate strategy and environmental plan. The ATNS has allocated R385 million to rigorously upgrade the communication, navigation and surveillance infrastructure. This has been mentioned.
The national government, through the Department of Transport and the South African Civil Aviation Authority, bears responsibility for the safety and security of the entire network of airports in terms of legislation and international conventions on safety and security.
To enhance organisational efficiencies and address the challenge presented by manual record-keeping, the SA Civil Aviation Authority will now be moving to a R120 million integrated electronic business system. In July 2013, Sacaa will participate in the International Civil Aviation Organisation audit. This audit is a prerequisite for South Africa as a member state to be internationally recognised and given clear status on civil aviation safety and security. We want to assure South Africa that Sacaa will be ready for the audit. Yes, we can. [Applause.]
Coming to 2012-13 achievements in the transport sector, if there are pessimists who still doubt that South Africa is a place where all things are possible, who still question the power of democracy, and wonder if transport is the heartbeat of South Africa's economic and social development, well, the following sector achievements speak for themselves.
In 2012 the SA Maritime Safety Authority, Samsa, won the Africa Maritime Agency of the Year Award based on its contribution in Maritime Skills Development Programme. [Applause.] This is the African Maritime Agency. In 2012, here at home, Samsa - our state agent - won the Best Public Service Organisation Award. [Applause.]
The Rail State Regulator now has a penalty regulation. It also approved level crossing standards. This is commendable.
The ATNS, through the flagship of the ATNS women's development and mentorship programme, recognises the strategic imperative to provide a focused development and growth of women in the workplace. In March 2013, the University of the Witwatersrand's School for Economic and Business Science conferred inaugural Aviation Management Development Programme certificates on 13 Air Traffic and Navigation Services employees. This qualification is the first of its kind on the African continent. [Applause.]
Following a robust process and assessments conducted by the United States of America's Transportation Security Administration, it is with great pleasure that we announce to this august House today that as of 9 May 2013 the United States' Transportation Security Administration pronounced that it recognised South Africa's National Cargo Security Programme as commensurate to the requirements of the US. [Applause.]
The ongoing collaboration and co-operation between the US Transportation Security Administration and the South African Civil Aviation Authority is critical to the enhancement of international air cargo security. This recognition agreement is the first on the continent and a huge milestone in terms of co-operation with other states on aviation security matters. [Applause.]
South Africa, through the SA Civil Aviation Authority has been appointed vice chair of the international civil aviation Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation, CAPSCA, technical adviser programme for the African continent. [Applause.] This is in line with the requirement to ensure Africa's presence in all aviation structures in the interests of a safer Africa.
Further to South Africa being a member state and council member at the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, our country has been newly elected as vice chairman of the Aviation Security Panel for the period April 2013 to March 2014. Our representative who has taken up this position is our Acting Director of Sacaa, Ms Poppy Khoza - a woman. [Applause.] The implications of such an election are that we are able to influence the agenda on aviation security matters globally.
On skills development and transformation in the transport sector, the transport sector is one of the most male-dominated industries, be it road, rail, maritime or aviation, the same phenomenon prevails. To this end, we formed a women's forum within the department, within which there is an advisory committee that deals on a day-to-day basis with, among other issues, women empowerment, transformation, skills and capacity development as well as equity matters to mention but a few.
We have further revived the South African National Women in Transport, Sanwit, which is an all-modes, inclusive structure that drives the emancipation of women into the economic development agenda in the transport sector.
One of our outstanding initiatives for women empowerment is the Women in Rail Programme, which is the Passenger Rail Agency of SA's response to the broader government agenda on the economic inclusion of women. With this programme we aim to improve the representation and facilitate technical skills development, and support women. The Women in Rail Programme is allocated R1 billion and, as the patron, we have committed ourselves to proving leadership and close monitoring where necessary. [Applause.] During 2012-13, the SA National Roads Agency Limited, Sanral, trained 21 034 people in road building projects at a cost of about R23 million, where 9 470 were women.
The Department of Transport and its agencies took decisive action to invest heavily in the development and promotion of critical skills in the various sectors. In this regard, we have established centres of development that constitute 13 universities. We have also developed and introduced the transport curriculum in 8 further education and training colleges.
In its effort to develop advanced skills, human capital and institutional capacity within the maritime space, the South African government, through the Department of Transport, will enter into an agreement between the Republic of South Africa, the International Maritime Organization and the World Maritime University, which is expected to be finalised by the end of June this year. We are proud to announce that the first class of 2013 will depart South Africa to begin their masters and doctoral studies in maritime studies in Malmö in Sweden in September this year.
We have in the past three years worked hard in order to put in place the Seafarer Training Programme. To the Seafarers' Welfare and Access programme, we have allocated R13,2 million for the provision of seafarer support services.
Sacaa, ATNS and the Airports Company of SA, Acsa, will together invest R52,4 million in a robust scarce and critical aviation skills development programme. To further address the challenge of attraction and retention of skills in the aviation industry, the Sacaa entered into an agreement with the University of Pretoria to participate in the training of students in aerospace medicine. The first 10 degrees were conferred in March 2013 this year. [Applause.] The head of Aviation Medicine from Sacaa has also been appointed as an extraordinary lecturer at the University of Pretoria with effect from 2013.
Our aviation agencies, in conjunction with the Department of Transport and relevant stakeholders, are currently developing an all-inclusive civil aviation transformation strategy that is the first in the country aimed at addressing transformation issues which currently records the devastating figure of about 4% pilot licence holders being from previously disadvantaged communities.
In this regard, on 8 August 2013, the Department of Transport will also host a ground-breaking Letsema with the intention of forging closer working relations among ourselves towards the growth and transformation of the aviation industry. Yes, we can. [Applause.]
In closing, key investments in our infrastructure, such as the highly successful Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, GFIP, will continue to drive South Africa's growth and cement our position as Africa's economic leader, a position we have to work hard for.
I wish to thank the Minister, hon Ben Martins, for his guidance and support, all transport MECs, the acting director-general, the entire staff of the Department of Transport, staff at the Ministry in general, and my excellent-performing office in particular ... [Applause.] ... boards and management of state entities, transport industry players, the public and the media for supporting our programmes and work.
I must also thank the chairperson and members the portfolio committee for participating in this debate and for supporting our work. Organisations such as the Road Freight Association, the SA National Taxi Council, the SA Bus Operators' Association academia and many of our important stakeholders, we thank you for your continued support and willingness to come to the table and engage with government on issues that affect our diverse industry with the goal of finding workable solutions.
We will continue to respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of the people: Yes, we can. Working together, victory is certain.
Mitirho ya vulavula. [Deeds speaks louder than words] Sharp sharp! Heita daar! [Applause.]
Adv A D ALBERTS /Arnold / GC /TAKE ENDS AT 15:49:25.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
Adv A D ALBERTS: Chairperson, Minister, I wish to congratulate you on your department's various achievements and on actually implementing the National Public Transport Regulator, which is very important.
Afrikaans:
U departement staar egter steeds heelwat komplekse probleme in die gesig. Openbare vervoer is steeds baie gebrekkig en word sonder behoorlike planne uitgevoer. Die feit dat die regering nie 'n geïntegreerde treinspoorplan het nie, maar steeds voortgaan met die beplanning van nuwe spoorlyne, is kommerwekkend. 'n Holistiese vervoerplan is uiteindelik nodig om aan Suid-Afrika se behoeftes te voldoen.
'n Voorbeeld van sodanige skewe beplanning is dat die minister in 'n geskrewe antwoord aan my oor die sinvolheid van die e-tolstelsel aangedui het dat e-tol motoriste sal dwing om gebruik te maak van openbare vervoer. In reaksie daarop moet 'n mens vra: Watter openbare vervoer? Openbare vervoer vir die arm gemeenskappe is onveilig en bestaan amper nie vir die middelklas en diegene in die platteland nie.
Deel van die uitdagings van die departement is die finansiering van vervoerprojekte, sommige waardan die regering ernstige skade kan berokken.
English:
The first problem arose due to poor planning and poor public consultation, known as the infamous e-tolls. Though this is not a creature of your own creation, Minister, you do unfortunately have the unenviable task of solving this conundrum. The hugely expensive toll system has already been built, yet carries no legitimacy in the eyes of the public.
You are faced with a possible tax revolt, as people have resolved not to pay, even if the system switches on. One cannot possibly arrest thousands of nonpayers. So, what is one to do? The elegant way out of this is to divert the income on the existing Gauteng 95 octane levy to the SA National Roads Agency Limited to cover the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project's expenses.
Use the gantries as traffic information monitoring and speed limit enforcement instruments. In this way you will resolve a looming conflict and make positive use of the existing e-toll technologies. If not, you might continue to face countless legal actions and popular revolt within an already unstable socioeconomic environment.
Afrikaans:
Die tweede probleem het ontstaan weens die wanbestuur van Transnet se pensioenfonds, wat nou gelei het tot 'n eis van R85 miljard teen Transnet en die regering. Sou die eis slaag, kan Transnet geeneen van sy beplande uitbreidingsprogramme voltooi nie, want daar sal eenvoudig nie geld wees nie. Daarom sal die minister dringend met die President hieroor in gesprek moet tree ten einde 'n sinvolle oplossing te vind.
English:
Minister, another problem is the state's patent inability to adhere to its own laws, like the Administration Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act. The testing of this Act in Johannesburg and Pretoria, Tshwane, has failed dismally as the Metro Police has usurped the roles of the Road Traffic Infringement Agency, RTIA, and intimidates the public to pay illegal fines, while the metros illegally block the issuance of licences based on outstanding, yet illegal, fines. Government's inability to manage this complex Act is but a microcosmos of all other transport challenges that we face in this country.
Afrikaans:
Minister, dalk is dit goeie advies om eerste die basiese reg te kry, voordat daar ambisieuse projekte aangepak word, soos die e-tol en Aarto, wat tot dusver net kaders en korrupte amptenare ryk gemaak het. Ek dank u.
Mr S N SWART
Adv A D ALBERTS
Mr S N SWART: Chairperson, the department's budget responds to certain strategic objectives and is evidenced by huge investments in road and rail modes of transport, which receives R18 billion and R10 billion respectively. These are massive amounts. This augers well for economic growth and job creation and will stand the country in good stead for attracting investment and tourists. We as the ACDP support this investment, obviously on condition that these funds are properly spent.
We appreciate that Minister Martins has inherited a poisoned chalice with the South African National Roads Agency Limited, Sanral, e-tolling system and this is a conundrum, as previous speakers have referred to it. We as the ACDP are on record as opposing the e-tolling system.
We understand the complexities around the funding model. But should we not wait for the outcome of the Supreme Court of Appeal decision, which will bring finality in September? What happens if it's implemented now and the Supreme Court of Appeal sets it aside in September? How will we face them?
We can see that the growing voice of the opposition is growing. We see that the religious sector is also opposed to the e-tolling debate. For example, the Dutch Reformed Church states that e-tolling "poses a moral and ethical dilemma". The ANC members of the Catholic Church would also bear in mind that they say it seems "hardly appropriate for the cost of implementing e-tolling to be nearly 74% of the total cost of the project".
They have put the alternative, as many of the other speakers have. Has increasing the fuel levy been considered? Was it reasonable to privatise existing public roads? What impact would the project have on the poor? They add that "anything that raises the cost of doing business at the core of the South African economy will have an impact on the cost of living and will disproportionally impact the poor". [Interjections.]
My colleague says we must be praying. I would like to remind him about the queen of England who had said she would rather face foreign armies than the prayers of John Knox. So, be careful when Christians do start praying. Let us be mindful that the religious sector is very opposed to e-tolling. That is just a friendly word of warning.
On the other hand, what if we are faced with massive civil disobedience? As a longstanding member of the Committee on Justice, I am fully aware that our courts are overstretched at the moment and cannot deal with tens of thousands of additional summonses. How are we going to deal with that? When I raised it in the Committee on Justice, the members and the department said that they had been approached to set up special courts, but clearly they are overstretched. Who is going to fund those additional courts? That is another issue and it is a serious concern.
Obviously, the ACDP welcomes the postponement judgment in the Western Cape, which seems to also indicate that these decisions were taken a long time ago and were not properly thought through. Minister, this is something that you have inherited. You have my sympathy. Minister, I wish you everything of the best with this decision. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mrs I C DITSHETELO
Mr S N SWART
Mrs I C DITSHETELO: Chairperson, all protocol observed, earlier this year the University of Johannesburg released a study that showed that transport is the third highest overall priority in South African society. This is no surprise, whichever way you look at it.
For many South Africans to access any other service, they need some form of reliable transportation to take them to work, health care centres, schools, social gatherings, shops, etc. Hence, in the survey, transport is only surpassed by education and health.
It seems that it is more of a concern for people in rural areas than their urban counterparts. I would argue that it is more than just a concern for these folks, but a source of constant anxiety and stress, for obvious reasons.
Public transport in this country is a cause of constant headache. Up to now, the interventions in this sector have done very little to alleviate issues associated with public transport. This is an area in which the department needs to disperse considerable effort, as it impacts on many other aspects of enjoyable and healthy livelihood.
We have seen horrible road accidents associated with public transport service providers. The desperation caused by the lack of an efficient public transport system has reduced commuters from being customers in the system to being beggars.
The quality of our roads certainly contributes to the carnage we have year after year and many of our roads remain in a despicable condition, with some provinces worse off than others. The roads in the North West and Eastern Cape, for instance, are plain horrible and dangerous and there's no excuse that the department can give for the state they are in. They are a sign of complete failure by the department, particularly in those provinces.
Many of the current interventions aimed at having much more effective public transport are structurally and systematically serving the affluent. For example, the Gautrain in Johannesburg is mainly for the use of the affluent, as well as the MyCiti bus rapid transit, BRT, in Cape Town. That is such a sad state of affairs as the affluent urbanised population does not need a transport service as much as the rural folk.
Setswana:
Rre Modulasitilo, bana ba rona kwa magaeng ba tlhoka dipalangwa tse di ba isang kwa dikolong. Re kopa gore o tsiboge rrarona, gonne fa dipula di nele, ga re kgone go tshela le go ja monate o o jewang ke batho ba kwa ditoropong. Re direle bontle mo dipalangweng, gonne kwa Gauteng, Kapa le mafelo a mangwe, batho ga ba tlhoke dipalangwa jaaka rona batho ba kwa magaeng. Gantsi o kare re a lebalwa; ga re itsiwe. Fa e le nako ya ditlhopho, go tliwa mo go rona batho ba kwa magaeng, mme fa go dirwa bontle jwa dipalangwa, re a lebalwa.
English:
For that matter, the UCDP supports this Budget Vote No 37. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr N M DUMA / Src(Eng)/EKS (Setsw) / TAKE ENDS
Mrs I C DITSHETELO
Mr N M DUMA: Hon Chair, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon Members of Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, even though South is a maritime nation and a coastal state with a long coastline of about 3 000 km situated along major shipping routes, moving about 98% of its total traded goods by ship and through the country's enormous port infrastructure, there has been little focus on the maritime transport sector. We are told, through many studies conducted, that this sector has the potential to contribute a lot to economic development and job creation in this country.
Due to the fact that South Africa's trade is almost all seaborne and international, the maritime sector offer jobs at home and on a global scale. There are many seafarer job opportunities on cargo and passenger ships, offshore mineral and energy platforms and on fishing and naval vessels. These jobs are based in South African waters and beyond.
There is a global shortage of 250 000 seafarer jobs in the international cargo fleet, with an opportunity for South Africa to compete and place about 50 000 of these jobs. The ports and the offshore energy mineral sector in South Africa can contribute 10 000 jobs for seafarers, with the fishing industry already employing over 22 000 working at sea. The South African maritime industry has a real potential to create over 40 000 jobs, sea and landside maritime jobs combined, which can employ people across the economic sectors.
The only way to create skilled labour force and expertise in order to take advantage of these opportunities is by supporting the Maritime Skills Development and Jobs Plan that is being driven by the Minister of Transport, hon Ben Martins. This is a plan in which the Department of Transport and its agency, the South African Maritime Safety Authority, Samsa, in collaboration with the Departments of Labour, Higher Education and Training, Basic Education and Science and Technology are working with 11 further education and training colleges and pilot high schools countrywide and universities to launch at least one of the universities as a comprehensive centre of excellence in maritime education. [Applause.]
The conversion of the old SA Agulhas into a dedicated training ship has, in less than a year, already seen an impressive officer cadet intake of 162, added to the other 190 cadets already at sea, specialising in engineering, navigation and maritime hospitality. Currently there are 53 new cadets on board in the SA Agulhas - 34 males and 19 females. [Applause.] Twenty-four of the cadets, who were part of national scheme have already qualified as officers.
Due to the successful Maritime Career Awareness Campaign, there is a spread in trainees and cadets come not only from the coast, but even from deep rural areas of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Polokwane, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the North West and urban townships, representing the entire country. [Applause.]
The ANC calls upon all South Africans to join hands with the Minister of Transport, who has taken the bold initiative to declare 2013 Maritime Year, marking the beginning of a dedicated maritime sector in South Africa. [Applause.] The Minister's vision and that of the ANC will ensure that in the next decade the maritime sector is transformed into a key sector for economic growth and social development, one which creates enterprise and job opportunities, ensuring a clean environment and improving the security of our country.
As the ANC, we are confident that the hon Minister and the hon Deputy Minister have a job that needs to be accomplished, and that job is to make South Africa's transport a working reality. That is why we are proud, as the ANC, to support Budget Vote No 37. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr G R KRUMBOCK /Sam//Jn-checked// TAKE ENDS
Mr N M DUMA
Mr G R KRUMBOCK: Hon Chairperson and Minister, when the chairperson of the Civil Aviation Authority board tabled the revised strategic plan for 2013 to 2017, she identified two of the seven strategic objectives, namely, optimising organisational performance and building a resilient organisational capacity that embraces a high performance culture.
In an extremely robust and competitive industry dominated by the same personalities, what stands out is how there is almost unanimous consensus that the Civil Aviation Authority, CAA, is failing in these two objectives. Stakeholders at the apex of the different components of the aviation industry all voice similar concerns that there has been a heavy exodus of experienced personnel for some time now, particularly at the most senior levels, and that there is a dire lack of experience, capacity and technical expertise. There has been very little stability for a long time.
The CAA is kept functional by men and women of all races who have a passion for and love of the industry and do their best to provide quality services. However, in many cases, pedantic bureaucracy, which is used as a revenue generating exercise, has unnecessarily grounded aircraft. I have been advised from one of the most senior role-players in the industry that up to 40% of our aviation fleet is effectively grounded, most of whom for reasons which have nothing to do with safety. As it was put to me, you don't ground an aircraft because a Panado in the first aid box is two weeks past its sell-by date.
Other common complaints include inspectors who are wrongly or underqualified, taking up to nine months or longer to register aircraft when a fraction of that time is enough, inspectors abusing their positions, and so on.
Stakeholders pin their hopes on the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, audit in July, which is incentivising the CAA to clean up their act, while others feel that there has been some improvement under the Acting Director, Poppy Khoza. Other role-players see you, Minister, as more outcomes-based and less inclined to make political appointments than your predecessor. I believe that this gives you a base to turn the situation around at the CAA.
On the other hand Air Traffic Navigation Services, and especially its senior personnel, command respect within the aviation industry and is widely considered to be taking aviation in the right direction. Perhaps the best example is the Air Traffic Navigation Services, ATNS, championing the Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS. The ATNS's role is to survey airfields and their surrounding airspace and to design appropriate procedures for individual airfields. This incentivises pilots to obtain an instrument rating, which improves safety during unexpectedly bad weather - the biggest cause of fatalities – as well as increased utility in the industry as more flying to more airports is now possible.
The only discordant note that has been brought to my attention by a very senior figure in the industry is of serious runaway incursion incidents at Wonderboom, Grand Central and Rand Airports. I understand that the doubling of staff is being considered to address the challenge and believe ATNS is successfully resolving this challenge.
Minister, while the security procedures at our airports are generally acceptable, the price of safety is eternal vigilance. When I asked how a stowaway was able to beat the system and smuggle into a British Airways flight at Cape Town International Airport, I also asked what other breaches of security had occurred.
I did not expect the answer I got, that is, that there had been major screening failures at OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports. These instances included magazines with live ammunition found in the passenger's possession on arrival as well as a passenger found with a loaded magazine on the sky check steps, and another arriving at his destination with an arsenal including two air pistols, five knives, tasers, teargas and ten bulletproof vests.
In an increasingly uncertain world where terror knows neither boundaries nor humanity, and where extremism drives its adherents into ever-deeper profundities of evil, we dare not relax our guard. I hope you will use part of your reply to reassure this House that steps have been taken to prevent a similar event.
Minister, in a Global Port Pricing Comparative Study presented by the Ports Regulator, the study revealed that the cost relating to containers in Durban was 874% higher than the global average, or 721% higher if one took the container rebate into account.
From a wider perspective, overall costs in South African ports were between 57% and 26% below global averages depending on the commodity. South African cargo owners are in fact carrying most of the burden of port infrastructure costs and subsidising foreign cargo owners and vessels who receive globally competitive rates or discounts as they tranship cargo through our ports.
The DA agrees with the Ports Regulator that since the bulk of our manufactured goods are exported through containers, our container pricing is clearly contradictory to our current industrial policy, which is supposed to incentivise broadening our manufacturing base and increasing manufactured exports. These contradictions certainly require your attention and policy development.
Lastly, recently you were honest enough to sum up the challenges plaguing the Road Accident Fund in a series of disquieting terms, and concluded correctly that the present compensation system is in dire need of reform. Not surprising really, when the total liabilities of the fund, mainly outstanding claims, rocketed to an eye-watering R65 billion, and the deficit ballooned to R54 billion, as identified in the strategic plan dated 16 to 17 April 2013.
In whatever way the fund may be restructured and refinanced, one fact remains inescapable, the key is to reduce the number of accidents, and therefore the number and value of claims. And while, as a nation, we make easy work for the Grim Reaper every year, it's different in the Western Cape. The Safely Home campaign has reduced road fatalities by 28% over the last three years, 31% over the last year and by 35% in February this year.
This campaign integrates enforcement, engineering, education and evaluation across different spheres of government to make roads safer, and has steadily changed behaviour to end the road carnage. None of this is rocket science Minister, just implacable political will.
Imagine if we are able to reduce road accidents by 30% nationally, and if this translated directly to a 30% reduction in Road Accident Fund, RAF, claims. Immediately the challenges in funding the RAF seem less insurmountable. The question we should ask ourselves is, why not? I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr L SUKA / NN/ GC / TAKE ENDS AT 16:16:32.
Mr G R KRUMBOCK
IsiXhosa:
Mnu L SUKA: Sihlalo wale Ndlu yoWiso-mthetho, uMphathiswa noSekela Mphathiswa abakhoyo kule Ndlu namhlanje, amalungu ahloniphekileyo ale Ndlu yoWiso-mthetho, intloko yesebe nabayingqongileyo, iindwendwe zethu nomzi ngokubanzi, siyanibulisa phantsi korhulumente ophetheyo we-ANC.
Kule veki equkunjelwayo yenyanga ebalulekileyo kubasebenzi nendicinga ukuba ngayo bakhumbula amaqhawe awayekhokela imbumba ye-Cosatu, oomongameli abafana noBawo u-Elijah Barayi, amaqhawe afana no-John Gomomo kunye noovuk'ayibambe abafana noMbuyiseli Ngwenda, bonke bayakhankanywa kule nyanga. Sithi ngxatsho ke, maqhawe eli lizwe! Abaphelelanga apho, kodwa andizikutyatyadula ngabo kuba ixesha liza kundiminya.
Indima endiyithunywe ngumbutho wesizwe kukugxininisa kwiingongoma ezimbalwa, kodwa ezibalulekileyo. Ndiza kuzathuza ndidalance kwezi ndawo zibalulekileyo nditsho kuvokotheke. Siza kuqwalasela ukuba eli sebe lizuze malini, liza kuyaba liyisebenzise njani na kwaye ungakanani umgama osele liwuhambile.
Kulo nyaka uphelileyo wama-2012-13, eli sebe labelwa imali ezizigidi-gidi ezingama-R35. Yasetyenziswa ke loo mali, kodwa sinazo izinto esazibangulayo. Ngoku sithi kufuneka banyawuke ukwenzela ukuba sigxothe inxele likakhetsekile, silwe nentswela-ngqesho.
Kulo nyaka-mali, eli Sebe lezoThutho, phantsi koMphathiswa, uBen Martins, neSekela lakhe uMama uSindisiwe Chikunga, kuza kufuneka libhinqele phezulu kuba kaloku le mali ezizigidi-gidi ezingama-R42 yalo nyaka asiyomadlana nje encinane, koko yimali eninzi, ekuza kufuneka ukuba kubonakale iinguqu. Isebe liyinikwe le mali nguNondyebo karhulumente okanye nguMphathiswa wezeziMali.
Siyikomiti sithi kuza kufuneka sicinge ngokutsha xa sisabela amacandelo kunye namanye amanqanaba karhulumente imali. Ndisitsho nje, imali engangeepesenti ezingama-98 yoHlahlo-lwabiwo-mali iya phaya koosiputsu, le nto esithi xa siyibiza ngesilungu zii-entities okanye amashishini karhulumente.
Loo nto ithetha ukuba urhulumente okanye isebe lishiyeka neepesenti ezimbini kuphela. Ngamanye amazwi isebe lishiyeka linezigidi ezingama-R921 kuphela. Ngelo xesha, inkuntyula yale mali iya kula mashishini. Kuza kufuneka noko siyihlaziye le ndlela siyaba ngayo imali, ukwenzela ukuba uMphathiswa kunye nesebe lakhe abe nawo amandla okuyilawula le mali.
Sihlalo, ndivumele ndiguquke kancinci, ndicaphule kumazwi kakumkani waseBritani, xa ndiza kuthetha ngolu hlahlo-lwabiwo-mali.
English:
The Department of Transport is the heartbeat of economic growth and social development. Since the department is the heartbeat, it must have the necessary capacity to deliver on its mandate. In a human physiological context, if the heart stops beating due to reduced or the absence of capacity, that human being ceases to exist. The same can happen to the Department of Transport and, by extension, to our economy.
Today, we are debating and approving the budget of a very strategic and critical department in our economy. In this regard, we have to ask ourselves whether the department has the necessary capacity to deliver on its mandate. Does it have the capacity to play a monitoring and oversight role over its 12 agencies?
In view of the active role Parliament is now expected to play in the executive budget process, what message should we send to the executive regarding this key department's budget? Should we just say that it is enough, we are happy with the money allocated to the department? We understand and acknowledge the challenges our government faces. It is, therefore, within the context of this challenge that we enjoin the department to be very wise in spending the money we are allocating to you.
IsiXhosa:
Lilonke ke, sithi urhwaphilizo kwezezimali maluphele. Abantu abathatha imali karhulumente ngokungekho mthethweni mababanjwe ngokukhawuleza, kunjalo nje bagwetywe, ukwenzela ukuba ingabi yingxoxo ende. [Kwaqhwatywa.] Siyawacela ke nala magosa okanye la malungu esebe ukuba asincede kuba iimpula zikalujaca zilindile phaya ezantsi, zilinde iinkonzo ukuze kubonakale ukuba urhulumente we-ANC uyasebenza.
Musani ukusebenza ngokungathi nilinde omnye urhulumente, akasayi kubakho omnye urhulumente, khuthalani nje nina kwezo ndawo nikuzo. [Kwaqhwatywa.]
English:
The department has been allocated R360 million, of which approximately R24 million will be spent on human resource development.
IsiXhosa:
Ndizama ke ukuphendula laa mibuzo bendiyibuza phaya ngentla.
English:
This is how it has been allocated: R4 million for personal training; R1,3 on bursaries; R1,2 million on internship; R2 million on the Praque scholarship programme and R10 million on the centres of development associated with universities. This means that the Department of Transport, ladies and gentlemen, has allocated 11% of its budget to developing skills and capacity for our country. This is laudable. We do have a plan. [Applause.]
IsiXhosa:
Asinamsebenzi mninzi esisileleyo ukuwenza nje, asithethi nje, singabhibhidli namazinyo, kodwa icebo lona sinalo.
English:
Our government has embarked on a major infrastructure development drive. This means that the next Medium-Term Expenditure Framework should be structured so as to reflect the critical role the Department of Transport plays in infrastructure development. This is where the critical role of human resources must be recognised.
Peter Drucker, the father of modern-day management states that: "A company is really its people - their knowledge, capabilities and relationships". It is people who make up the Department of Transport. They are the coalface of service delivery; they are the interface between government and our citizens; and they are the carriers of knowledge and institutional memory.
Given this dynamic, it is critical to constantly ask and re-ask the five Drucker questions, which I will not ask all, but just a few. Who are the right people to be employed at the Department of Transport? Does the Department of Transport provide its employees with the means to achieve their maximum effectiveness and contribute to the department's success? One historian said: "Give us the tools and we will finish the job". Now, we are giving you the budget, you must finish the job. You cannot fail us. [Applause.] Therefore, this is a critical role that human resources, which is the heartbeat of our economy, plays in this department.
Having deliberated on the theoretical aspects of human resources in general, I now turn to the Department of Transport. The National Development Plan, the plan adopted by the ruling party, which is the ANC, and approved by our government, enjoins us to reinvigorate the state's role in producing the specialist technical skills to fulfil its core functions and develop appropriate career paths for technical specialists. Therefore, going forward, our analysis and assessment of the Department of Transport must be guided by its capacity and ability to deliver on the goals and objectives of the National Development Plan.
It also reminds me that, as the ANC, as we were engaged in the struggle, we were fighting the national democratic revolution. These are parts of the elements of achieving that. For many years, we have been raising the issue of capacity and the structure of the Department of Transport. In the early years of our democracy, based on its wisdom then, the Department of Transport reduced its size. This led to the creation of agencies, which we have today.
Since 2011, the department has a new approved organisational structure which has a staff complement of 773 employees. To date, it has filled 567 posts. This means that the department has 74% of its workforce in place. This further translates into a vacancy rate of 26%. Vacancies are potential jobs for the unemployed or a new opportunity for those who wish to improve the quality of their lives.
The ANC, the ruling party, is a party that cares for its people.
Mr G B D MCINTOSH: Mr Chairman ...
IsiXhosa:
... Mhlalingaphambili ...,
English:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON(Prof L B G Ndabandaba): Order, order, hon member.
IsiXhosa:
Mnu G B D MCINTOSH: ... ndinombuzo endifuna ukuwubuza phaya kuMnumzana uSuka. Ingaba uya ndivumele ndiwubuze lo mbuzo? Uza kuwuthatha. [Uwelewele.]
English:
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Prof L B G Ndabandaba): Hon member, are you prepared to take a question?
IsiXhosa:
Mnu L SUKA: Ngokwalo mbuzo wakhe, andikakulungeli oko. Uthethe ngembuzi, mna ke ndicinga ukuba uthetha ngebhokhwe. Ndicela ahlale phantsi. [Kwahlekwa.]
English:
The ANC, the ruling party, is a party that cares for it people. We urge the Department of Transport to reduce the vacancy rate of 26% even further. We congratulate the Department of Transport for the extent to which it reflects the demographics of our country.
We, however, urge the department to improve female representation at senior management level. The department has a target of 50/50. It is currently at 62% male and 38% female. If the department has been able to have a majority of women at other levels, we are confident that it can do the same in this line function.
The department has a highly skilled staff complement. Over 60% of its employees fall within the category of professionally qualified and top management. However, I have a concern, out of the 566 employees, 232 are classified as semi-skilled, 151 of whom are women. We urge the department to develop a plan to address this. We have to improve the skills level of our people. It is only through the improvement of the skills level of our people that the ruling party will be able to improve the quality of life of the citizens of our country.
IsiXhosa:
Sihlalo, ndibuye nganeno, apha bekukho amalungu ebexoxa, exovula izinto ezirhuqisa umnqayi, ngokwendlela abacinga ngayo. Andisayi kuba phendula bonke kuba andinyanzelekanga, kodwa kukho imibutho noko ekufuneka siyincedise. Apha bekukho indoda ethetha nge-Civil Aviation Authority, CAA ... [Uwelewele.]
Mr G B D MCINTOSH: Mr Chairman!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Prof L B G Ndabandaba): Order! What is your question?
Mr G B D MCINTOSH: Is it parliamentary to say that people are "gangaring" in their speeches.
The HOUSE CHAIPERSON (Prof L B G Ndabandaba): Well, we shall investigate that. However, my knowledge of isiZulu tells me there is nothing wrong with "gangaring", but we will find out.
Mnu L SUKA: Mhlekazi wam ndiza kukuncedisa, ndiza kubuya ngawe. Ndicela ukhe undinike ithuba.
English:
The Civil Aviation Authority, CAA, passed its 2007 International Civil Aviation Organisation audit at 97%, in terms of compliance. [Applause.]
IsiXhosa:
Ayikho le nto ithethwayo yokuba kukho ingxaki kwezothutho emoyeni. Ezo ntetho zenza kube ngathi asenzi nto, sibe sisenza into. Phaya emakhaya, sasidla ngokuthi xa sibona ukuba iibhokhwe zethu ziyalamba, sizinxibise izipekisi eziluhlaza eziza kuzenza ukuba zithi xa zibona amathafa angumqwebedu abe ngathi aluhlaza. [Kwahlekwa.] [Kwaqhwatywa.]
Sinconywe nalilizwekazi laseMerika xa sithetha nge-CAA, ingakumbi kweli cala lezokuthutha impahla, iMerika iyavuma ukuba uMzantsi Afrika uhamba phambili! [Kwaqhwatywa.]
Uyabona ke, kuza kufuneka siphume kwesi sifo esinaso singabahlali balapha eMzantsi Afrika sokuba sithi sisenza into entle sibe ...
English:
... very unfair to ourselves.
IsiXhosa:
Sizohlwaye ngokugxeka. Apha kukho ii-arhente ezisebenza ...
English:
... their butt off to get our country on the map. But ...
IsiXhosa:
... mhlawumbi ke, yindlela esekwa ngayo le imibutho, ithi phikisa naxa uyibona indlela ukuba ihamba apha. Baza kuphepha nezulu. [Kwahlekwa.]
Mhlalingaphambili, akukho nto ndiza kuyithetha ngabahlobo bam, abe-Cope. Niyabona madoda, umbutho ngamnye unembali. Mhlawumbi isizathu sokuba ningakwazi ukuma kukuba aniyazi imbali yenu. Ngoku nixingile anikwazi ukubheka phambili. Ndiyakucela, mhlobo wam, kuba le nto yezothutho lwabafundi basiwe baphinde baphuthunywe esikolweni yayingekho kurhulumente wocalucalulo phambi komnyaka we-1994. Ngoku ikhona apha kuthi, endaweni yokuba uze namacebo okuphucula le nkqubo yezothutho lwabafundi basiwe baphinde baphuthunywe esikolweni, ugalela amanzi, ulahla ibhafu nomntwana. Noko ndiyakucela, mntakwethu. [Kwahlekwa.] [Kwaqhwatywa.]
Phofu ke, asothuki kuba kaloku yiminyaka mithandathu i-Cope yaqhekeka; yiminyaka mithandathu ayikemi. Iseza kuba mithandathu ukubheka phambili ingekemi. [Kwahlekwa.] Ndiza kucela ukuba wena notata wakho noko nilandelelane nibe nomsindo ekumiseni i-Cope, hayi umsindo kwi-ANC.
Kumba obalulekileyo wohlahlo-lwabiwo-mali, iinjongo ze-ANC kukuguqula ubomi babantu buphucuke; asijonganga kuthobela abantu ezantsi. Andizi kungena kumba woohola bendlela kuba andifuni ukuba ngathi ndithetha namadada. Idada ulisa edameni, ulifake emanzini, ulifake lonke lide litshone, uthi xa ulikhupha kwelo dama lisuke lizivuthulule liphume lomile. [Kwahlekwa.] Ngoko ke, kwakufuneka siphinde sithethe.[Kwaqhwatywa.] Andisoze ndiyenze loo nto. Loo mba ndiza kuwuyekela kuMphathiswa.
Sithethile ngoohola beendlela, ngomthetho nangeenjongo zawo. Andiyazi into esiyifunayo ngoku, madoda. Ukuba amanzi, umbane nezinye iinkonzo uyazihlawulela endlwini kwakho, yintoni ebangela ukuba wena wedwa jwi, uxhathise uqhankqalaze xa kufuneka uhlawulele iinkonzo zomgaqo apho imoto yakho ihamba khona? Abantu bethu abangathathi ntweni, abakhweli moto umntu eyedwa, koko xa eyedwa uya kwisithuthi sikawonke-wonke. Ezo zithuthi zikawonke-wonke azihlawuliswa kwaba hola beendlela zaseGauteng. Musani ukuthetha ngathi wonke umntu walapha eMzantsi Afrika ubotshelelwe phaya. Masichule ukunyathela, sichwethe okungalunganga kokulungileyo. Ndithetha ukuthi ke andisayi kuyiphinda-phinda loo nto.
English:
We must not be set an agenda by counter revolutionary forces. We must be assertive and focused as the liberation movement. If we have made a mistake, we will take a step backwards and two steps forward so as to advance the National Democratic Revolution, NDR. [Applause.]
IsiXhosa:
Ngoko ke, ndincedeni. Ndibulela amashishini karhulumente wethu ngendlela asebenza ngayo, ayasebenza.
English:
Today, we are speaking about our entities that are working very hard trying to get South Africa on its wheels. So, we must assist them at all costs.
What is very strange when our partners or colleagues oppose, butthey never pick up a phone to call the Minister and say there is this or that problem, will you please intervene.
IsiXhosa:
Bayeka yonke le nto kwaye abanye benu abahlali nakule komiti, nantso ingxaki yam. Zange ndibabone nokubabona, Mphathiswa. [Interjections.] Ndifuna into yokuba singakhathazeki. Babini kuphela abantu abahlalayo kule komiti, ngaba sele bexoxile. Abanye babo abahlali nokuhlala kule komiti. Bendiza kucela khe ndibhekise kumhlobo wam lo ebethetha apha wezenkolo, ndithi...
English:
South Africa is not a Christian state. South Africa is a secular state. Therefore, we cannot be conclusive and talk about religious people as if there are no other religions. [Applause.]
IsiXhosa:
Ngoko ke, ndiyayicela loo nto. Masingaqatywa ibhotolo sibekwe iwulu emehlweni ibe ngathi asizazi ezopolitiko zeli lizwe. Siyavuma ukuba abantu bethu bathandazile. Kamnandi idabi lethu le-ANC lalikhokelwa ziinkonzo, kodwa andifuni singcolise iinkonzo zethu esizilweleyo kuba siyamazi uThixo xa sisonke. [Kwaqhwatywa.]
Mandibulele kwakhona eli Sebe lezoThutho, phantsi komlawuli jikelele obambeleyo endicinga ukuba kungekudala, kwezi veki nezi nyanga zizayo, uMphathiswa uza kubhengeza ukuba ngubani oza kubamba isikhundla esisigxina sokuba yintloko yalo. Kaloku kufuneka kugcwaliswe ezi zithuba bendithetha ngazo ukuze abantu bethu bangabambeli okokoko bade nabo babambeleyo bacinge ukuba ngabo abaphetheyo. Ndicela ukuba loo mcimbi ukhawuleziswe ukuqukunjelwa.
Ukanti ke, kufuneka singafuni imali ngakumbi, kodwa sinayo imali esingakwaziyo ukuyisebenzisa. Ndicela ke ukuba sisebenzisane. Ndibulela isebe lethu, amashishini karhulumente nabo bonke abantu abalapha kule Ndlu. Ngaloo mazwi, ndiyabulela. Enkosi. [Kwaqhwatywa.]
The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT / Nb/
Mr L SUKA
The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Hon Chairperson, there is a member who came to the podium and said that he wished to sympathise with the Minister for having inherited a poisoned chalice. Whilst I understand what he was saying, I would like to ensure them that their views are misplaced.
In law, there is something called "successor in title". As the Minister of Transport I have succession in title. It means that I inherited all the problems, difficulties, failures and successes of my predecessors. [Applause.] So, it is my responsibility, as the Minister of Transport, to address the challenges that we face. That is my responsibility. I take responsibility for having to execute that.
I would like thank all hon members for their critical, but constructive inputs, including members of the opposition. We cannot reply to all the issues that were raised this afternoon, but I would like to assure you that we will attend to the issues of national importance that were raised. It is our responsibility to do so.
However, it would be remiss of me not to express my disappointment at the strident calls made for civil disobedience with respect to court judgments regarding the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project. Once we bring a court's integrity into doubt, we open doors for anarchy. It is an infantile disorder only to abide with court decisions that suit us.
Lastly, I would like to say that rumour has it that the hon Mr Ollis is the DA's shadow Minister. He has raised a number of interesting points, but in the main, he has proven to us today that shadows are exactly that – shadows. [Applause.] It is unreasonable to expect shadows to have much substance. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The Committee rose at 16:40.
Src / TAKE ENDS AT 16:40:11.
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