Hansard: EPC: Debate on Vote No 37 – Transport
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 15 Jul 2014
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Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
EPC: OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
15 JULY 2014
PAGE: 1
START OF EPC
Proceedings of extended public committee – old assembly chamber
_______________________
Members of the Extended Public Committee met in the Old Assembly Chamber at 19:14.
House Chairperson Mr C T Frolick took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
START OF EPC
Appropriation Bill
Debate on Vote No 37 – Transport
The[nm1] MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Hon Chairperson, Deputy Minister of Transport, hon Sindisiwe Chikunga; the hon chairperson of the committee, Me Dikeledi Magadzi; hon members of the Transport portfolio committee, hon members of Parliament present, distinguished guests and stakeholders, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour and privilege for me to stand before you to present the Department of Transport Budget Vote for the 2014-15 financial year.
The budget policy statement is essentially both a blueprint and a commitment of what the ANC government, through the Department of Transport, seeks to achieve in its quest to deliver on the mandate of an efficient, safe, reliable and affordable transport service for the people of South Africa. The Deputy Minister and I have received a fresh mandate to lead the Department of Transport over the next five years and we are well aware of the expectations and aspirations of our people. We affirm the President's statement in his inauguration speech, when he said:
We accept the mandate bestowed on us by millions of our people to lead this great nation for the next five years.
We both expect that the public servants employed by the Department of Transport and its entities will deliver on government's commitments to the people of South Africa.
This 2014-15 Budget Vote presentation takes place during a period in which we have the 20-year celebration of our democracy and the milestones reached. It is also the first parliamentary session since the dawn of democracy that takes place without our stalwart and the founding father of our freedom, former President Nelson Mandela. On the occasion of his inauguration as South Africa's first democratic President, Madiba said:
We are both humbled and elevated by the honour and privilege that you, the people of South Africa, have bestowed on us, as the first President of a united, democratic, nonracial and nonsexist South Africa, to lead the country out of the valley of darkness.
We are therefore humbled to report that, 20 years later, South Africa is indeed a different and a better place to live in.
The lives of millions of our people have changed for the better. They now have access to better basic services than they had before 1994. We make these bold statements without fear of contradiction because the progress made under the ANC government is there for all to see. President Zuma is correct in his assertion that:
South Africa is a much better place to live in than before 1994, due to the transformative policies of our democratic government.
Policies and legislation under this nonracial, nonsexist democratic government have resulted in the delivery of transport services to the people of South Africa. Among some of the achievements, I count the following milestones: Here in the Western Cape, we have the MyCiTi bus rapid transit system in Cape Town; the revamped Cape Town train station; the Nyanga Junction and the upgraded Cape Town International Airport.
In Gauteng we have introduced the Rea Vaya and the A Re Yeng Bus rapid transit systems in Johannesburg and Tshwane respectively. We have radically transformed the old Jan Smuts Airport into the new O R Tambo International Airport. [Applause.] We have the rapid transport system covering the three metros. We have introduced the Gauteng improvement programme to improve the freeway network.
In KwaZulu-Natal, we built a brand-new King Shaka International Airport, as well as the Bridge City multimodal public transport facility to create a nucleus for a multisectoral approach. We have also revamped nine other airports, such as Manguang, Mthatha, Port Elizabeth and others.
The people of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape are set to enjoy basic rapid transport services soon as we move towards finalising the Libhongolethu bus service. Furthermore, BRT systems are coming to eThekwini, Rustenburg, Polokwane, Nelspruit and George. We also have the introduction of the new rolling stock programme, aimed at improving passenger rail transport, and the introduction of South Africa's first training ship, the SA Agulhas.
We have maintained a good domestic and international aviation safety record and in recognition of South Africa's aviation infrastructure capacity, the Airports Company Ltd of South Africa, ACSA, was appointed to do major upgrades to international airports at São Paulo in Brazil and Mumbai in India. [Applause.]
The taxi industry continues to be a key pillar of support in the public transport sphere. The industry contributes about R40 billion to the national economy each year and accounts for 300 000 direct and indirect jobs.
While the above-mentioned successes are noteworthy and should be celebrated by many, there are many people who remain on the margins of the impeccable delivery track record we have achieved. We know that many of our people still do not have access to transport infrastructure and services such as access roads and bridges, as well as safe and reliable public transport. We know of educators and learners in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo who have to cross dangerous streams and rivers to make it to school. There are communities in South African where learners are prevented from going to school due to a lack of access to road infrastructure. We are aware of women who have to give birth at home simply because they cannot access health facilities on time due to bad road conditions. We have heard of constant train delays and dysfunctional signalling systems, mainly in certain parts of the Western Cape and Gauteng, resulting in commuters arriving late at their destinations.
We are aware of gross inefficiency and acts of corruption in some of our vehicle and drivers licence testing stations. To address these challenges, the Deputy Minister and I have thrown down the gauntlet to the public servants employed by the Department of Transport and its entities. We have requested them to put the interests and aspirations of their employers - the taxpayers - ahead of their own. We continue to challenge them to make a commitment to do something that will improve a life each day as they walk into their place of work.
South Africa has a total road network of at least 750 000 km. While some of the roads, particularly those in urban areas, are in a good condition and are maintained regularly, we cannot say the same of roads in other parts of our country, more so in the rural areas. We have looked at various means of achieving a sustainable programme that would see us paying regular attention to the state of our roads.
I am pleased to announce that through the provincial roads maintenance grant, otherwise known as S'hamba Sonke, we will undertake road maintenance programmes where provinces will repair damaged roads periodically.
The S'hamba Sonke roads programme will seek to achieve the following: 60% of employment and empowerment in road infrastructure to previously disadvantaged communities; 40% to be allocated to the Operation Tselantle programme, which is intended to eradicate potholes; 50% of the EPWP infrastructure and job creation targets to be met through S'hamba Sonke. We are very much alive to the concerns raised by the portfolio committee regarding capacity in municipalities and provinces. Through this programme, we currently have more than 120 civil-engineering graduates who are being trained and will later be absorbed into municipalities. [Applause.]
During the 2013-14 financial year, our national roads agency, 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.
The SA National Roads Agency spent a total of R1,8 billion on contracts with SMMEs, of which more than R1,2 billion went to black-owned firms for both toll and nontoll roads. The budget allocation for Sanral for 2014-15 is R3,45 billion for current operations and R7,43 billion for capital infrastructure.
South Africa's world-class road agency continues to provide technical support to provinces with regard to the maintenance of roads. Sanral recently inherited several thousand kilometres of road from provinces. And independent research indicates that Sanral continues to build the best roads in the world. [Applause.]
It is important to note that of the almost 19 700 km of road under Sanral, only 3 100 kilometres is tolled, and 201 km is part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Plan. We continue to conduct reviews of the progress being made and the challenges experienced since the introduction of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project and electronic tolling in Gauteng.
Through these regular reviews, we have been able to introduce certain relief measures to lessen the burden on users. These include exemptions for public transport, medical services and people living with disabilities and those who apply for exemption and qualify in terms of the criterion set. Sanral has been able to introduce a payment amnesty regime informed by the reviews in March this year.
In response to the call by the President of the Republic of SA, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma, earlier this year to address electronic payment billing challenges in Gauteng and make it easier for people to comply, I wish to announce that we have come to the following reprieve for affected motorists in the following categories: There has been a further extension of the payment period to avoid the Violation Processing Centre process that would negatively affect vehicle owners. Users will have an extended payment period of 51 days from the day they pass through the gantry, as opposed to the seven days. They will also receive the time-of-day discount. A nonregistered user will receive 60% off the alternative tariff if they pay within 51 days.
For registered users, we will introduce the following reprieves: 48% e-tag holder discount, time-of-day discounts, frequent-user discounts and the R450 calendar month cap for class A2 or light vehicles. We trust that these concessions will go some way to lessen the financial burden on the part of users. [Applause.]
In 1995, the ANC government under President Mandela introduced the Masakhane Campaign to inculcate the principle of users taking responsibility for infrastructure development and payment of services as part of the implementation of the Reconstruction and Development Programme. President Mandela said:
We all have the responsibility to pay for what we use, or else the investment will dry up and the projects come to an end. We must ensure that we can, as a nation, provide for the millions still without the basic needs.
Today, we can proudly say that the NDP has identified transport infrastructure as a key economic driver. As outlined in the NDP, the user-pays principle remains the policy of this government and no review of neither the policy nor the legislation governing urban tolling or any other tolling has been undertaken by this government.
Government continues to explore partnerships through which we can secure funding to reverse the current infrastructure backlog. Our partners, existing and potential, can only do business with us if we are certain about our policy objectives.
We urge the users of the tolled Gauteng road network to continue contributing towards the building of a better South Africa with the necessary world-class infrastructure required to move our country forwards. To them we say that we are grateful for your co-operation and we encourage those who are still not registered for electronic payment to do so. [Applause.]
This includes members of this House and our guests in the gallery, your families, friends, including acquaintances and neighbours. It is our responsibility as a collective of law-makers to make sure that we encourage South Africans to be responsible for what they would want to have.
In our quest to ensure a sustained, co-ordinated approach to the battle against road carnage, the department has embarked on a 365-day road safety programme. We have in the past couple of months moved swiftly to stabilise the lead agency, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, by appointing a full-time board and a CEO, following several months of instability at leadership level.
The RTMC, along with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Statistics SA are developing a road injury and fatalities data collection tool. We are also in the process of establishing a national Road Safety Advisory Council, which will advise the RTMC shareholder committee, constituting the Minister, the nine MECs and Salga, on the mammoth challenge of road safety. This approach would ensure that we pool all available resources in all the sectors towards a comprehensive national social behavioural change campaign. The RTMC will continue to implement the 365 days of road safety programme aligned with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety Global Campaign.
We are currently working on the introduction of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill, which would see the RAF moving away from how it currently handles and manages claims. The Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill seeks to do away with the fault-based claim approach and introduce a no-fault-based policy.
Through the current RAF On the Road community outreach programme, government continues to take services to the people. We are pleased to report that this campaign has since its inception reached over 23 000 claimants and paid out over R260 million in benefits. We are of the view that road carnage is a societal pandemic akin to HIV/Aids and we require a multidisciplinary approach to stem the tide. We applaud the role played by the faith-based structures in collaboration with our roads agencies to give a human face to the deaths on the roads.
We will continue to support our country's efforts in ensuring a seamless trading environment and regional integration with our neighbouring countries and Africa at large. Our agency, the Cross Border Road Transport Agency, continues to play a key role in reducing cross-border transport constraints that hinder the free flow of people and goods over our borders.
Our expenditure over the medium term will be aimed at attaining an efficient, competitive and responsive infrastructure network, which is part of outcome six of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework 2014-19. Our approach is also to support the implementation of the NDP's priorities of maintaining road infrastructure, upgrading rail infrastructure and services, and building and operating public transportation infrastructure for our people.
Our budget allocation for the 2014-15 financial year is R48,7 billion. This includes allocations to provinces, municipalities, state-owned companies and agencies. Of the allocated amount, R46,9 billion goes to transfers. We transfer R20,1 billion to provinces and municipalities, which comes to about 41,3% of the total budget. We transfer R14,9 billion to public corporations and private enterprises, which comes to about 25% of our budget. We transfer R12,2 billion to agencies, which comes to about 30,6%; the remainder being the department's goods and services and compensation to employees, at about 2,96%.
The ANC government inherited ageing rolling stock, outdated signalling technology and dilapidated railway stations, which were the characteristics of an unreliable and unsafe commuter rail transport service. Since 1994, we have made significant strides in modernising the railway infrastructure and services. We have built, upgraded and refurbished more than 50 universally accessible stations, as well as some 2 600 modern coaches. In the process, some 3 000 direct and indirect jobs have been created. Further investment is required, however. [Applause.]
The Department of Transport, together with Prasa and the National Treasury, concluded the procurement process for the new rolling stock programme of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA and the agreement of Prasa with Gibela Rail Transportation. In August 2013, Prasa appointed the preferred broad-based black economic empowerment participants in the new rolling stock renewal programme, 17% of Prasa's renewal project has been committed to the BBBEE participants.
The Gibela consortium will supply 198 new vehicles over the next three years and 3 600 new vehicles over the next 10 years. The first modern set of trains is expected to hit our tracks in 2015. Further outcomes to be derived from this programme include the new coach-building and locomotive assembly plant being established in Nigel in the Gauteng province. Through 65% localisation we will realise the creation of 33 000 direct and indirect jobs. We will also realise training of 19 000 technicians, artisans, engineers and train drivers. [Applause.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon Minister, you have two minutes to conclude your speech.
The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: National government embarked on a feasibility study on the infamous R573 Moloto Road and I am pleased to announce that an integrated rapid rail option solution will be implemented in this important corridor, which carries over 35 000 commuters per day to Gauteng, particularly to the City of Tshwane and back. I am also pleased to announce that an integrated rapid rail option solution will be implemented in this important corridor, which carries that big number of people, as I have mentioned.
In the current financial year, over R5,5 billion will be spent in 13 cities on planning, building and operating integrated public transport networks.
Regarding school transport, the conditions and ways in which our learners travel to school leave much to be desired. The Department of Transport and the Department of Basic Education will soon finalise the policy and will table it to Cabinet. To date, 95 000 bicycles have been distributed by the department. In the next three years, we intend to distribute more than 21 000.
Although the sector is crucial to reducing poverty, sharing prosperity and achieving development goals, transport is also at the heart of development challenges, such as rapid urbanisation and motorisation. Cities are expected to grow to 5,2 billion residents by 2050. Over the next 20 years, more cars may be built than in the the 110-year history of the auto industry.
Regarding accessibility and affordability, an estimated one billion people in low-income countries lack access to an all-weather road. In cities, time lost to congestion erodes prosperity. High mobility costs cut the disposable income of the poor in many cities that lack formal and affordable public transport.
As the developing world rapidly urbanises, there is an opportunity to build safer, cleaner and more affordable transport systems that reduce congestion ... [Interjections.] ... facilitate access to jobs and lower transport energy consumption. In emerging cities, where most of the new urban dwellers live, city planners have an opportunity to design sustainable and inclusive transport system from the start, leapfrogging more polluting and costly modes. In older, larger cities ... [Time expired.] I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr D P Magadzi
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order! Hon member, you have the option of using the podium at the front or speaking from your seat.
HON MEMBERS: Malibongwe! [Praise!].
Ms D P MAGADZI: Malibongwe! Hon Chairperson, Minister Dipuo Peters, hon Deputy Minister Chikunga, hon members of the House, the MECs from our various provinces, officials from the Department of Transport, led by the acting director-general; CEOs and cChairpersons of public entities in the Department of Transport, stakeholders in the Department of Transport, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, ri perile [good evening].
In the preamble of the ruling party's manifesto, President Jacob Zuma said, and I quote:
Twenty years ago we began a new journey to eradicate the oppressive legacy of colonialism and apartheid. It has been 20 years of freedom and democracy in which we have made significant steps towards achieving the vision of the Freedom Charter.
The manifesto of the ruling party goes on to say that the progress made in 20 years of democracy to eradicate the legacy of 340 years of colonialism and apartheid sets the foundation for what still needs to be done into the future. Indeed ...
Sepedi:
... lehono go phala maabane, gosasa go tla phala lehono.
English:
The impressive record of what the department has achieved in the past few years in terms of infrastructure and developing policies and amongst other integrated transport operations, among other successes, cannot go unnoticed. It is therefore important to say that socioeconomic transformation has been the agenda of this department in the past 20 years - an agenda that is dictated to by the ANC.
This does not mean that the road the department has traversed in the past 20 years is not a road without challenges, but sufficesurprised to say that the road ahead is looking bright, as the committee heard during the presentation.
With a budget of R48,7 billion, the department has emphasised, in their strategic overview, that they will maximise efforts to make sure that they meet their target as outlined. However, as a committee, we need to say to the department that having gone through the Auditor-General's report, having seen that the Annual Performance Plan, APP, of the department is not smart, the committee believes that, going forward, that going forward will be a thing of the past.
Hon members, there is a need for the department to look into the challenges of vacancies, particularly in the senior management. As I said in the introduction, there are many senior management vacancies that in the department, which is led by an acting director-general that, there are many vacancies in the senior management. The issue of employment equity is one of the things that the department must look into. Lastly, the department should look into people with disabilities.
When we as the committee say this, we are applying it not only to the department but to public entities as a whole. We are excited because the department, working as it is with the Department of Higher Education, will be able to produce a lot of professionals to fill those vacancies.
The committee recognises the massive progress that has been made by the department, particularly on the National Transport Master Plan, Natmap. The National Development Plan, in its making, demands that there should be forward planning that integrates everything. We believe that with Natmap that this is what is going to be addressed.
Among other things, let me quote what Minister Sisulu said the aim was in the founding document of Natmap that:
To develop a dynamic, long- term and sustainable land use/multimodal transportation systems framework for the development of network infrastructure facilities, interchange terminal facilities and service delivery.
This is an indication that the department is geared to deliver services to our people. In its approach, the project phase talks to - among other things - the situation that is the status quo. It talks to the analysis of the situation. It also talks to the forward-planning approach and, importantly, it is talking to the action agenda, which actually will actually be implemented in the not-so-distantce future.
This means that the department, in line with the micro policies of a developmental state, it is adheringattires to what the ANC is saying. This therefore means that the department is adheringattires to what the President of the Republic of South Africa said in the state of the nation address: Theseis areis the radical changes that he is expecting.
Key in what the department should be ,working towards is is the proposed regional integration. We believe that this will enhance the economy and the growth of the region in totality. We are waiting in anticipation for the agreements that will pass through our committee and into this House which,actually , we believe, will in the future see the creation of a region that is hard at work.
As the region of the Southern African Development Community, SADCadec, we are being challenged to create jobs and, eradicate poverty and unemployment. As the department, we will be dealing with transformation in marine areas, in civil aviation and in in corridor transports systems. We believe that the development of skills in SADC, makingadecing sure that we create employment, will be the in thing that will be the in thing.
Committee members will be looking forward to the department's industrialisation agenda in the region. However, we are also urging the department to give us an update on progress that has been made in terms of the Millennium Development Goals, Nepad issues and the African Ppeer Rreview Mmechanism programmes of the department.
Hon members, a democratic developmental state is capable of effectively transforming the economic agenda. This developmental state should be at the centre of that transformation agenda. This is what has been quoted in the resolution report of the 53rd national cconference of the resolution report of the ANC.
If I have to take myself down memory lane, feasibilityphysibilities studies have been done on the Moloto Rail Development Corridor. Since 2004,
Mpumalanga and Limpopo pProvinces sees 2004 have been part of these feasibilityphysibility studies. We are of the opinion that this is not the time for feasibilityphysibilities studiesy anymore; that our people should be able to see ...
Tshivenda:
... hu khou duba buse hafha fhasi.
English:
Minister, our people's patiencet is not limiting less. We are requesting your department to work tirelessly. If needs be, they must work 24/7/7. If needs be, they must work 365 days a year to make sure that this project goes ahead as speedily as possible, because one life lost is one life too many. [Applause.]
Transport network development is a pillar of the economy. We know that the people who drive from KwaggafonteinQuagga to Pretoria are strengthening the economy of our country. Therefore, as you deal with the Moloto Road Corridor, you must remember that you are also dealing with the challenges of our economy, which is growing but without creating enough jobs.
Hon Minister, it is prudent that you will be manufacturing the rolling stock and revitalising the road network infrastructure. We believe that a massive skills development programme should be included in all the things that the department will be doing.
This morning, I was watching SABC and one Bongani Molope, who is a commutercommentary representative, revealeds certain shocking situations that are being experienced by commuters in their day- to- day activities as a result of matters relating to Metrorail or the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Prasa. I believe these need urgent attention.
Bongani Molope indicatedquoted that :
There aresome trains that will arrive on time while others do not arrive on time on time or never arrive at all, whichwhich posses a challenge to them because they are unable to go to work. Molope also impressed upon his interviewer the fact that there is so much congestions during peak and rush hours that the coaches during peak hours and rush hours they become highly challenged as commuters because the coaches are so full. Molope also said the safety and security of commuters in theseis trains are nonexistent. I believe that Prasa should take serious heedhit of the call that Molope made this morning.
In their response from Prasa, the spokesperson for Prasa indicated that there are challenges and that they are created by a variety of factors. Among other things, she indicated that there are criminals who are hellbent oin stealing the cables and making sure that they take the railway metals. This is unacceptable. As South Africans, we need to condemn theis people whoas they are doing theseis heinous types of crime because the lives of commuters are at stake.
In the same breath, let us call on the business people who are dealing in scrap metal to say to them that they should be able to account forto the scrap that comes into their business premises. [Applause.] We also call on our communities to refrain from damaging the assets that government is trying to create.
The development, maintenance and regulation of road infrastructure is the domain of the department and, as indicatedsaid by the Minister here, as much as 41% of the budget goes to the provinces to make sure that road infrastructure is dealt with. Minister, I believe you should develop a monitoring system to make sure that our local municipalities and provinces use thosethat grants for what theyit areis meant for.
It is not right and proper that people are able to claim money for work they have not done while our people are disadvantaged because the road infrastructure will not be as expected.
Minister, in the same breath, I also think we are within the same breath. Let usshould award those provincial departments and municipalities that are doing proper work and also make sure that they must attest to and account for all the money they are spending in this particular programme. Theseis grants as they arehave not been allocated are not allocated for a salary or any other purpose. They have been allocated but to road maintenance, the pothole recovery plan and the development of new roads. And this was done because in the rural areas roads safety has become an issue of paramount importance. In the rural areas, road networks are needed more today than yesterday.
Of importance is that when we loose lives because our roads are not in a good condition; when we loose lives because there are overloaded vehicles on the road; and when we loose lives because the cars are not in a good condition, these are the things that we bring to the department, saying, please,to have a programme that runs is 365 days in a year and that will look into the safety of our commuters, the safety of our roads and compliance with the law.
Let me indicate that civil aviation and maritime transport are programmes that are not properly known to the people of the Republic of South Africa. It is exciting to see that the department is taking theseis programmes to a variety of schools in the different provinces of our country. We believe that our learners will be able to understand and venture into professions that are outlined in these presentations.
Also of importance is the fact that the department is embarking on a rigorous transformation agenda, wherein some black economic empowerments, BEEs, people will be able to find jobs and businesses in the maritime and aviation sectors. I want to applaud the department for this.
The committee therefore believes that department must live up to its mandate of maintaining a safe, secure, efficient and reliable transport system; one that will increase the mobility of our people, particularly regarding the modes of public transport in their areas.
The fast-tracking of all outstanding policies, particularly scholar transport, is of the essence. This should be fast-tracked yesterday.
The department should also take cognisance of the fact that this is the department that produces more greenhouse gases than any other as they go about their day-to-day business. We believe the department will be able to comply and work very closely withto the other departments in this faculty so that we can comply with what is expected, namely to of makeing sure that we do not pollute the environment but of making sure that becomelong to part of the people who protect against climate change and save the continent.
With these words, we as the committee want to support Budget Vote 37. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr M S F DE FREITAS
Ms D P MAGADZI
Mr[nm2] M S F DE FREITAS: House Chairperson, allow me to start off by thanking the Minister and Deputy Minister for the time they spent with the portfolio committee when it was analysing the budget. It is most unusual for a Minister to spend so much time, if any, with the committee. Thank you for respecting the important role that we play as a committee. [Applause.]
However, I query whether in future our Minister and Deputy Minister will be as present, because their department's annual performance plan indicates that spending on travel and subsistence is expected to increase to R31,8 million in the 2016-17 financial year, and I quote from the plan, "as a result of the Minister and Deputy Minister's needing to travel more often". Now, the amount of R31,8 million could easily cover 90 857 potholes. The mind boggles at where the Minister would need to travel to so much considering the many urgent and pressing issues she has to attend right here at home.
By far the biggest transport issue on the lips of South Africans at present is the e-tolls issue, which the public, almost unanimously, has rejected. This issue has been handled poorly from the very beginning. The voters of Gauteng have been making their feelings felt with their peaceful resistance campaign by not signing onto the e-tag system. Their feelings were further clearly demonstrated when they reduced the ANC's support from 64% in the 2009 election to 53% in this year's election. The ANC in Gauteng is now desperate to show its voters that it is on their side on this issue and is now trying to fool them into thinking that they are doing something positive on this issue.
The partly failed South African National Roads Agency Limited bond auction on 2 July, which raised only R275 million out of a total offering of R465 million, shows that investors are nervous. The announcement by the premier of Gauteng, David Makhura, of reviewing the e-tolls system is nothing more than a public relations stunt. The e-tolls system is governed by national legislation, therefore the only body that is empowered to legitimately review the system and make pronouncements on its future is Parliament, through the Portfolio Committee of Transport. The review panel must therefore be a parliamentary committee.
Why is Minister Peters remaining silent on this while Premier Makhura continues with this charade? The DA calls for the Minister to show leadership and support the need for the review of e-tolls to take place right here in Parliament. The terms of reference for this Gauteng e-toll review panel clearly indicates that the panel is not empowered to take any action against e-tolls. The people of South Africa need to see action on this and not just a talk-shop in Gauteng - one that has no legal powers. The cost of this review panel will take public funds away from other critical needs, yet it can make no meaningful change to the e-tolls scheme.
To add insult to injury, Sanral branding and vehicles are used at roadblocks conducted by other traffic enforcement agencies. Motorists are being intimidated to buy e-tags. This is being done without any legal basis. [Interjections.] Yes, I have seen it. I have already written to the head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Robert McBride, to request an urgent investigation into the use of the traffic enforcement agencies by Sanral for the purpose of coercing motorists to purchase e-tags.
The DA opposes the abuse of policing services, which should be spending their time upholding the law and keeping South Africans safe. It appears that Sanral's abuse does not stop here. The Minister needs to tell this House and, indeed, the citizens of South Africa if Sanral still intends to pursue the prosecution and criminalisation of some one million people who have not paid their e-toll bills. To do this will only serve to aggravate the implicit conflict between government and the public. The DA will continue to fight the e-tolls in its current form, which are an economic burden and were imposed on South Africans without any meaningful consultation.
The ANC's indifference to rail transport, which should be the backbone of public transport, caused a massive swing towards trucking and it is no coincidence that the road fatality rate has steadily increased since 1998, as the number of vehicles on our roads exceeded the traffic police's resources and competence. For example, the paucity of weighbridges and preferences to enforce speed instead of moving violations were directly responsible for the complete destruction of the N3 to Durban by overloaded trucks, resulting in it being rebuilt and tolled so heavily that it is now cheaper to fly to Durban than to drive.
Rail networks exist across our country and the efficiencies of rail versus road transport are well known. It takes one litre of diesel to transport one tonne of goods over 100 meters via road, compared to the same litre transporting one tonne for four kilometres on rail transport. Why are we even allowing this to happen? It appears that government is starting to understand that rail must be the backbone of any public transport system, and they must be congratulated on that. However, until I see the lion's share of the budget being allocated to rail and its development, I remain sceptical about government's seriousness about getting people off the roads. Currently, the largest amount in the budget is still allocated to roads and its infrastructure. With making rail the backbone of transport must come the assurance that using rail is indeed safe. However, reports in the media allege that the chief executive officer of the Railway Safety Regulator spent taxpayers' money to hire his friends and cronies. Has this been investigated, Minister?
This is not the only issue that government is slow to realise. The National Transport Master Plan, Natmap, is still outstanding and Minister Peters called for industry input only in October last year. How much longer will this take? I remember talking about Natmap back in 2009 when I first joined the transport committee.
It was highlighted in our portfolio committee deliberations that the National Scholar Transport Policy has been outstanding for years and has still not been finalised. In fact, during a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Transport in the last Parliament, the Department of Transport's chief financial officer, Collins Letsoalo, admitted that after eight years the department has still not finalised its National Scholar Transport Policy.
Furthermore, after five years, the policy for the Shova Kalula project, a programme meant to provide an estimated one million bicycles to rural schools, has not been implemented either. Its pilot programme demonstrated a number of deficiencies. The department, it seems, has been unable to resolve these problems. In every Budget Vote on Transport speech I have delivered to date, I have spoken about road safety. More than 14 000 people lose their lives on South Africa's roads annually and despite the target of a 30% reduction in road fatalities, the Minister only achieved an embarrassing 0,79% reduction. The Western Cape transport department, however, has managed to achieve a 31% reduction since 2009.
South Africa is rated the worst out of 36 other countries when it comes to the number of road fatalities. South Africa's road fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants was at 27,6% deaths in 2011, according to the International Transport Forum's Road Safety Annual Report. These fatalities result in a huge socioeconomic cost, estimated to be at R306 billion per annum. The Minister must explain why, as reported in the World Health Organisation's report into road safety released last month, South Africa ranks 177th out of 182 countries studied for road fatalities. This is worse than any disease that we have in South Africa. [Interjections.] Well, you are doing nothing about it - 7,9% is embarrassing!
Why are road deaths increasing despite having a dedicated body, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, RTMC, at its disposal and its mounting several high-profile road safety campaigns? The previous Minister of Transport, Ben Martins, recognised the need to shut down the RTMC, yet Minister Peters' new plan for the troublesome entity seems confusing and unclear despite our unacceptable road death figures year after year. The RTMC's underreporting on road deaths is compromised. It is clear that the RTMC is largely ineffectual in stemming the annual tide of these deaths. A major shift is therefore needed in how we approach road safety.
Why do the figures released by the Department of Transport over the last five years for road deaths differ vastly from mortality death studies performed by the national institute for mortality studies and the October 2012 report by the Medical Research Council into death certificates at mortuaries? I can't help thinking that the statistics provided by the department are massaged before they are made public.
The Minister and her Deputy Minister have their work cut out for them. I hope that by this time next year we will have more to celebrate as there is little to celebrate at the moment. Her first step would be to travel less and sort out these problems right here at home. Thank you, Chair.
Mr T E MULAUDZI
Mr M S F DE FREITAS
Mr[nm3] T E MULAUDZI: Hon Chair, the entire Ministry of Transport, hon members ...
Tshivenda:
... ndi madekwana.
English:
The EFF understands that transport is a critical component in ending racial and class inequality in South Africa and in promoting development. Twenty years after democracy, our transport system still has a class and racial bias. The EFF seeks to promote a pro-poor transport system, something that the government has not prioritised. We therefore understand that even though road transport remains the major carrier of our people, especially the poor black working class and the unemployed, not enough resources and capacity have been dedicated to the transformation and efficiency of road transport.
Road transport has been awarded 40% of the entire department's budget. However, 20 years into democracy, 60% of our roads are still in a very bad state, with permanent potholes on almost every road. For example, the roads in our rural areas such as Limpopo, the North West and Mpumalanga are in a very bad state, and most of the people who die on our roads die because of these potholes. How many people have lost their property because 60% of the roads are in a poor state? This is very disturbing because vehicle owners pay annual licence fees, which increase each and every year, and the very objective of the licence fees is to maintain our roads.
Our roads are full of potholes and are not marked adequately. There is a lack of relevant road signs and roads are not fenced to hinder stray animals. Some of the tarred roads constructed during the 20 years of democracy are in such a bad state that some of the gravel roads are better than the tarred roads. The EFF will make sure that each and every village has a tarred access road ... [Interjections.] ... to provide for the smooth running of taxis and buses to transport the poor. [Interjections.]
The road infrastructure grant transferred to the provinces and municipalities is not monitored enough or with keen enough interest. We are also concerned about our road oversight subprogrammes. Most of the huge budget of road transport is allocated to the three entities: the SA National Roads Agency Limited, Sanral, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, the RTMC, and the Road Traffic Infringement Agency, the RTIA. We think that the RTMC is not allocated enough because most of ...
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr J M Mthembu): Hon member, you have two minutes remaining. Continue.
Mr T E MULAUDZI: The EFF wants the RTMC and its sister entity to be beefed up with adequate budget in order to improve the implementation of the road safety strategy on our roads. How can one reduce the number of accidents when the majority of traffic officers do not work overtime? We need traffic policing to take place 365 days of the year on our roads and on a 24/7 basis – but traffic policing is still fragmented 10 years after the formation of the RTMC. There is fragmentation in traffic law enforcement because there are five different forms of traffic law enforcement - and all in different uniforms. What fragmentation!
The EFF is also concerned about the inconsistency of the Arrive Alive strategy, which says, "Do not drink and drive", while section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act indirectly allows people to drink not more than 0,05 g per 100 ml. [Laughter.] When you are drinking, how do you measure when you have reached the limit? How many drunk-driving cases have been dropped and people acquitted because of the logistics: the timing of blood samples and the availability of doctors, etc? All these factors end up affecting the entire budget. We are saying the National Road Traffic Act must be amended to simply say that drinking alcohol and driving is an offence as per the Arrive Alive strategy.
In terms of public transport, the EFF believes that South Africa needs a pro-poor transport ... Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.] [Time expired.]
Mr K P SITHOLE
Mr T E MULAUDZI
M[nm4] r K P SITHOLE: Hon Chairperson, this department's main objective is to provide a safe, secure and efficient medium for the movement of people, goods and services from one location to another. This includes all air, rail, road and sea transportation and is vital to our economic development because of its role as a facilitator of trade.
It is therefore imperative that all the above modes of transport are adequately maintained, both in terms of logistics and in terms of financial resources. What we see in this country is that while we have an adequate budget for transport, we do not have management and maintenance that are up to the task. This is a departmental shortcoming, which has been translated over the years into a general degradation of many of our modes of transport, with road transport being the worst.
Road transport is currently a problem with many variables, including illegal and unlicensed road users, ineffective and corrupt traffic authorities and an ineffective Department of Transport. We see unlicensed driving schools springing up all over the country. We see rampant fraud and corruption in the issuing of driver's licences. We see traffic authorities more concerned with receiving bribes than implementing the laws of our roads. We see the resultant carnage and high number of deaths on our roads as a result of all of the above.
The Moloto Road is an example of such a death trap. We ask the department to intervene urgently in order to make this road safe for motorists. Our rail network is underutilised, which results in a knock-on effect, and the greater utilisation of road transport leads to unnecessary road damage, delays and a greater incidence of accidents and deaths.
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr J M Mthembu): Hon member, you have two minutes remaining.
Mr K P SITHOLE: The e-tolls, which are nothing more than another weapon to cripple our poor and most vulnerable, must be scrapped. The IFP remains ardently opposed to all forms of e-tolling and appeals to the Minister to relook this issue.
In the Government Gazette, published last Thursday, the department said that a further 1,535,7 km of Limpopo's road network would now fall under Sanral management, after the province was unable to manage maintenance and repairs. Limpopo now becomes the third province to give up its network to Sanral. Sanral now maintains more than 21,200 km of our road infrastructure. Why is our provincial department of transport failing to manage the repairs and maintenance of its provincial roads? This must be addressed by the Minister.
We support the budget in order to see an improvement in our transport network.
IsiZulu[nm5] :
Ngqongqoshe, kunento oyodwa nje engiyicelayo; ngicela ungenelele kule nkinga yalo mgwaqo osuka eSilutshana oya e-Kranskop ongamakhilomitha ayi-170. Lo mngwaqo ubulale othisha bebuya kofundisa ekolishi lokuqhubezela imfundo noqeqesho [FET colleges] eliseNquthu ngonyaka odlule. Lo mngwaqo usubaqedile abantu. Ngiyabonga.
English:
I thank you.
Mr M S MABIKA
Mr K P SITHOLE
Mr[nm6] M S MABIKA: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister and all hon members, the NFP welcomes the budget of R48,7 billion and the 8,2% increase on the previous budget. However, we note with great concern that there was an underexpenditure of R240 million on public transport in the previous financial year, which contributes to a lack of service delivery. We hope that the department will look into ways and means of making sure that such high underexpenditure does not happen again in this 2014-15 financial year.
The public transport budget increases from R10,8 billion to R11,3 billion. But it remains a big challenge how rural and scholar transport is going to be seen through, ...
The TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr J M Mthembu): You are left with two minutes, hon member.
Mr M S MABIKA ... because you can make transport available in the form of buses and taxis for all the rural schools. But the bigger problem in the rural areas is that there are schools where buses and taxis cannot enter – except 4x4s - and some of the roads are blocked by rivers when it is raining as there are no bridges to cross. Therefore, in order for rural and scholar transport to be successful, the issue of rural road development should be given special attention by the department.
IsiZulu[nm7] :
Ngqongqoshe, uma ufuna ukubona le nto engiyishoyo, kungafanele uhlele i-4x4 yakho ngikuyise eMamfene Okhethe. Ngingakuyisa futhi esikoleni okuthiwa iManyampisi nase-Ekuvukeni kwaMhlabuyalingana.
English[nm8] :
The few places I have mentioned are sandy, and no bikes can ride there.
Lastly, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA, Prasa, and Sanral are government-funded entities. We believe therefore that the department should not allow actions by these entities that cause havoc and unrest in the country, as well as more waste and unbudgeted expenditure of state resources, for example the e-toll saga and the Lwandle evictions. So, as the NFP, we are totally against the e-tolls and what happened in Lwandle. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
Mr M S MABIKA
The[nm9] DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister of Transport, Ms Dipuo Peters, MECs of transport, the chairperson and members of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, hon Members of Parliament, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, in his 2014 state of the nation address, His Excellency President J G Zuma mandated the nation to embark on radical socioeconomic [nm10] transformation to address the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
Indeed,[nm11] as the Reconstruction and Development Programme of 1994 purports:
No political democracy can survive and flourish if the masses of our people remain in poverty without land, without tangible prospects for a better life. Attacking poverty and deprivation must therefore be the first priority of a democratic government.
Let it be said that we have vigorously commenced implementing concise skills development plans, advancing safety and security, and promoting transformation and women and youth empowerment in the transport sector. The Department of Transport, together with its maritime entities, the SA Maritime Safety Authority and the Ports Regulator of South Africa, through the 2013-14 Year of Maritime, are implementing strategic activities that support and facilitate the positioning of South Africa as a world[nm12] -class maritime nation.
Our radical maritime programme, as cited in the state of the nation address, is envisaged to contribute between R129 billion and R177 billion and would create between 800 000 to one million jobs by 2033. This gives further impetus to our National Development Plan, which aims to increase competitiveness and export earnings through better infrastructure and public/private sector services, lowering the cost of doing business, improving skills and innovation, as well as targeting state support to specific sectors.
It is a historical record that team transport is part of the first team in Operation Phakisa for focusing on unearthing the maritime industry radical development potentials. [Applause.] We envision a South Africa that will be a leading and highly competent maritime nation. In this regard we are creating an enabling legislative and policy environment that will enhance our adaptability to the envisaged radical growth as we embark on a broader maritime blue ocean economy. Evidence to this is the draft Maritime Transport Policy, the processing of which we are fast[nm13] -tracking, as stated here by the Minister of Transport.
In efforts to the enhance safety and security of our shores, we have budgeted R150 million to the maritime and aeronautical search and rescue regulations programmes. Budget allocation of R262 million will be used to enhance the level of governance, sustainable environmental protection and the safety and security of our territorial waters.
We have focused attention on improving maritime safety standards and the norms and culture of safe maritime practices. Since 2013-14 and over a period of 10 years we will enrol a substantial number of students at various tertiary institutions nationally and abroad. This will be complemented by the continuous implementation of the national cadetship programme, which is a feeder to the maritime industry. This endeavour is in line with Vision 2030, which seeks an expanded skills base through better education and vocational training.
In this financial year the Department of Transport, in partnership with its sister departments, will launch the national maritime education and skills initiative and the national maritime job scheme. We are finalising the process of appointing the Broad-Based[nm14] Black Economic Empowerment Advisory Council and adopting an implementation plan of action in support of the President's call for radical economic transformation.
Regarding research, through the expertise of the SA Maritime Safety Authority, Samsa, and our maritime branch, we have committed to providing technical support for the launch of the maritime research and innovation roadmap, [nm15] led by the Department of Science and Technology. An allocation of R64 million has been apportioned to advance maritime industry development interests. It is this Ministry's conviction that our maritime economic wealth will radically transform and elevate South Africa's economic trajectory.
Aviation is a critical catalyst for global economic development and it is estimated to account for R74 billion of South Africa's gross[nm16] domestic product. Aviation supports about 230 000 jobs, according to an International Air Transport Association, Iata, 2013 press release. The Department of Transport will continue to represent South Africa and Africa's interests at the International Civil Aviation Organisation. On 26 September 2013 [nm17] our country was successfully re-elected to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, thus reaffirming South Africa'[nm18] s position in the international aviation arena. [Applause.]
In fact, it is our intention to deploy officials in all strategic regional, continental and international organisations to promote South Africa and Africa's interest in aviation. Safety remains a priority and is a strategic imperative in aviation. To date we have established an independent aviation accident investigation body and have allocated R17,9 million to advance and maintain our renowned aviation safety record.
At the beginning of February this year t he SA Civil Aviation Authority developed and introduced its cross-functional accident reduction plan. The plan aims to reduce accidents in the general aviation sector in a co-ordinated manner.
On skills development and transformation, the SA Civil Aviation Authority has concluded agreements with the Universities of Walter Sisulu, Wits and Pretoria in order to roll out [nm19] aviation medical training and thus contribute to transformation. This will commence during this financial year.
In 2014-15 the Air Traffic Navigation Services will implement a performance-based[nm20] navigation system programme aimed at further upgrading operational efficacy. On 8 August this year we will host a second aviation industry transformation roundtable, which provides a platform for generating practical solutions geared to address the lethargic pace of transformation in the aviation industry.
The state of readiness of the Road Traffic Infringement Agency, RTIA, for the national roll-out programme of Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences, Aarto, is in the final phase. To date, a detailed Aarto readiness checklist has been developed and provided to the provinces and metros. Two critical issues were identified that needed finality before commencement of the Aarto roll-out: Firstly, the national contravention register had to be fully developed in support of all the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act requirements; and secondly, funding availability had to be ensured for the RTIA to satisfy all its obligations in terms of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act.
The increasing rail incidents in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal [nm21] and the Western Cape provinces have been noted with great [nm22] concern. These are as a consequence of many factors, including poor spatial planning and underinvestment [nm23] in rail by the apartheid regime. The urban Integrated Development Framework and the National Transport Master Plan are critical instruments and will be responsive to these challenges. Moreover, the Rail Safety Regulator has also finalised and commenced the roll out [nm24] of level crossing rail safety standards.
To address criminal activities that continue to engulf rail transport, our rail safety regulator has developed a framework to align their incident reporting system with the SA Police Service case reporting system.
The introduction of progressive legislation and policy framework post-1994 by the ANC-led government seeks to have 50% women representation as per the ruling party's manifesto and resolutions. In the predominantly male-dominated transport sector, we have made significant strides to emancipate women, youth and people living with disabilities to actively participate in all sociopolitical [nm25] and economic development programmes. More, however, still needs to be done. [Applause.]
I am proud to announce that on 1 December 2013 the Minister of Transport, Ms Dipuo Peters, appointed the first black female director of the SA Civil Aviation Authority. [Applause.] She is in charge of regulating the civil aviation environment for our country. As the Department of Transport we have met and now intend to exceed the 2% employment target set for people living with disabilities. Over the next five years we will develop and implement the human resource development strategy of the transport sector as a whole.
Regarding gender equity, at present our statistics show a 38,28% women and slightly more than 61,74% men representation at executive level and 44,54% women and 55,4% men at all levels. Our target is to achieve a deserving capacitated 50-50 parity and we are going there. [Applause.] The SA Women in Transport Summit and its subsector organs, like Women in Rail, Women in Maritime and Women in Road Construction, have been active instruments and drivers spearheading women economic development.
From Women in Rail, 19 women-owned entities have benefited from a R293 million project under the rail national station improvement programme and we need to accelerate the projects implementation in this regard. Hon members, we do have a good story to tell. [Applause.] In 2013-14 we invested over R100 million on a groundbreaking skills development programme. Multiple training interventions were delivered and targeted the youth and women, enabling them to take advantage of the potential thousands of job opportunities in the global maritime sector. Ninety-three young unemployed engineering graduates were given the opportunity to convert from mechanical [nm26] engineering to marine engineering.
In 2013-14 the Air Traffic and Navigation Services, ATNS, trained a total of 773 internal students, at a pass rate of 93%, within the air traffic services and engineering disciplines, of which 42% were females. [Applause.] Concurrently 815 external students from across African states were trained at a pass rate of 100% by our ATNS academy.
The Aviation Training Academy was again awarded for being the IATA regional training provider of the year for the second successive year. The Air Traffic Navigation Services, through its deployment of leading technology, regulating 10% of the world airspace has achieved world-class safety levels at the air traffic management community. It is a good story.
The European Union and the United States of America has given the SA National Cargo Security Programme full recognition. This recognition positions South Africa on the green list of only 30 countries in the world and the only one in Africa that has various benefits, including second exemptions. This boosts investor confidence and creates business development opportunities, because South African carriers will accrue trade and economic benefits given that they will be exempted from paying validation fees.[nm27]
In conclusion, as a nation and the Department of Transport at work, led by the Minister, our programmes will always seek to create an economy that is inclusive, equitable and fast[nm28] -growing; achieved through growing employment, supporting productivity, improving efficiency and moving towards greater equality. God bless South Africa. Thank you. [Time expired.]
Ms D CARTER
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
Ms[nm29] D CARTER: Chairperson, Cope believes that the NDP correctly emphasises the necessity of sound economic infrastructure as a precondition for economic growth. Our country's transport infrastructure is a key priority. As with every other Minister, projections extend to 2030 or to 2050. Minister, we call on you: We need your department to spell out a year-by-year projection to accurately test for performance, so that we can examine whether the small targets leading to the big results are in fact being met.
Reports continuously surface about the poor state of roads in our country. Roads are not being maintained. Corruption in the procurement process leading to shady work is worsening the situation. This is impacting negatively on the economy as a whole. Let us take the R74 into perspective: The Deputy Minister does not agree with it, but the R74 was a link to the tourism-rich areas of the Northern Drakensberg with the Free State, Gauteng and Lesotho. This is also used an alternative route through Little Switzerland and other places to KwaZulu-Natal.
Through corruption, mismanagement and maladministration, businesses like the Sterkfontein Dam have been liquidated and closed down. Farming has come to a total standstill. The department acknowledged that they are now going to fix the road but businesses were liquidated; livelihoods were lost. Citizens have lost their livelihoods and families have borne the brunt of the consequences.
Unless hon De Freitas and Mabika had hijacked my speech, then there must be some truth in the following statement, ... [Laughter.] ... because Cope condemns the unlawful intimidation of Gauteng motorists by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, the JMPD, and the SA National Roads Agency, Sanral, in coercing motorists to buy e-tags. [Interjections.]
The[nm30] TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (Mr J M Mthembu): Order! You still have two minutes. You can steal his speech as well. [Laughter.]
Ms[nm31] D CARTER: There is clear evidence of Sanral branding, vehicles and equipment at roadblocks conducted by JMPD. Cope insists on a review of the e-toll saga. We note that the premier of Gauteng is in the process of establishing a panel to review the e-toll matter. The fact of the matter is, as stated earlier, that the e-toll was enabled by national government. It is national legislation. Thus, a debate on this matter ultimately rests at national level - right here; nowhere else!
An important lesson for government throughout the sorry saga is the need to ensure that the citizens of this country are adequately consulted prior to such unworkable decisions being taken. Sanral is at the forefront of the despicable Lwandle evictions in Cape Town. One wonders whether there will be any objectivity from the appointed commission, because they are political cronies.
The current fuel levy, Minister, should really be ring-fenced solely for road construction and maintenance, and not as is the case currently, where it is merely put into the Pandora's box of general national revenue.
Of grave concern to Cope are recent reports relating to Transnet's R50 billion locomotive tender and the role played by Transnet tender committee chairperson Iqbal Sharma. Reports link Sharma to VR Laser, the company that was awarded some of the work, the Guptas and Duduzane Zuma. Cope views the matter in a most serious light. This matter should be investigated and the committee appraised of the findings. I thank you.
Mr L RAMATLAKANE
Ms D CARTER
Mr[nm32] L RAMATLAKANE: Hon Chair, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, MECs, hon members, I rise following the Minister's outline of the department's budget of over R48 billion and his detailing of what the department seeks to achieve in the financial year of 2014-15. I need to state from the onset that integrated transport systems in South Africa and worldwide remains critical for the movement of goods and people, sending people from one point to the next, including workers, children at school and those who just want to enjoy city life, visiting key tourist attractions and the beauty in our country.
I can also say without fear of contradiction that transport is the heartbeat of South African economic growth and social development. It is therefore this department that we must all support without playing any cheap politics. We met with the Minister, the Deputy Minster and the officials who briefed us on the budget. We are highly impressed to see that as a team you are indeed driving the programme to achieve the goals of the National Development Plan, which is also in line with the manifesto's commitment. [Applause.]
The NDP directs that job creation, skills development and poverty alleviation must receive high priority. As part of its programme of action, the department has a responsibility to ensure that structural impediments and other related hindrances are removed in order to guarantee the future of South Africa with sustainable economic and social development.
This budget is an important tool aimed at contributing to the Moving South African Forward campaign, as articulated by President Jacob Zuma in the state of the nation address last month. The NDP also sets out that:
The proportion of people who use public transport for regular commutes will expand significantly. By 2030, public transport will be user-friendly, less environmentally damaging, cheaper and integrated or seamless.
Given that my time is limited, I will focus only on integrated transport planning, the public transport system, and civil aviation as some of the department's key programmes. We need to ensure that we promote a safe, reliable, effective, efficient, affordable, co-ordinated, integrated and environmentally friendly public transport system. We should adhere to norms, standards and legislation to guide the implementation of public transport for rural and urban passengers.
We also need to regulate interprovincial public transport and tourism services, as well as monitor and evaluate the implementation of public transport plans, as informed by the National Land Transport Act, Act 5 of 2009.
Minister, it is our view that when norms and standards are not adequately adhered to, fragmentation cannot be constrained. We call on you to intervene to close the gaps and achieve adherence by all role-players. Taking into account that our country is a unitary state, this cannot be overemphasised.
We recognise the work of the department towards the regional corridor planning and implementation. We know and support the view that an efficient transport system depends on uniform standards, directed by a clear policy with built-in measures that disallow the provision of conflicting standards. We need to support transport integrated infrastructure development and allow it to stretch into the region in order for our economy to be unleashed. As a country, we cannot fail in this task. Failure will negatively affect economic growth with catastrophic results for a flourishing nation and the entire continent.
This takes me to the public transport system as driven by the department. In 1994, public transport was close to nonexistent. We had huge bus subsidies, with a commuting pattern that consumed more than 10% of the salary of working people without meeting their needs. For ordinary people, the average journey by bus was about 80 km one way. Both the White Paper on National Transport Policy and the Moving South Africa Forward campaign remain groundbreaking in changing the imbalances of the past.
Today, we speak a different language. We speak of an integrated transport system with all modes playing a nondestructive role. We speak about the integration of bus, minibus and rail transport, with each playing a feeder system role. Today, the government focuses on a "public transport first" policy, where resources are more and more directed to serve the needs of commuters, not to service providers.
We know that we still have pockets of subsidies and the department is working fast to discontinue that skewed system. The department should phase out this system into a new, integrated public transport system that will be pro-poor, pro-people and not enriching the service provider. We recognise that the department has started on this work but it is moving very slowly in reaching this critical goal.
We support the department's programme directed at improving public transport in 13 major cities, with a budget of R5,5 billion this financial year. We complement the two cities, Johannesburg and Cape Town, for having already constructed 20 km of bus lane. However, we want to say, Minister, watch this project very closely. In some instances, small operators are excluded, marginalised or crowded out of the existing network at the expense of those future taxi and minibus operations. The department must enforce the integration of modes as a condition in all the major cities.
Whether you are speaking about the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's Libhongo Lethu Pilot Project or about those cities that are in the planning stages, the integration of the public transport network system should not be compromised. The department has assured us that this will not happen but we need clear standards that could constrain deviation from the implementing agency or sphere of government.
As we implement, we should keep in mind that "Moving South Africa Forward" is our commitment. We should remember that the minibus taxi industry transports 65% of working people and generates around R2,5 billion annually on passenger trips into cities and on interprovincial transportation. So, that industry's centrality remains critical as a formal, regulated and safe mode of transport.
Equally important is the programme that deals with civil aviation. Minister, good work is noticeable, particularly the impressive record of safety standard compliance. South Africa's air transport is ranked among the best in the world. This is applaudable because this boosts our image in the sector, especially at the international stage. We support all these efforts. We believe that going into the future, much attention should be given to the question of accessibility to all South Africans.
The transformation hereof remains a critical goal to be achieved. We commend the work done to upgrade Mthatha Airport. However, the upgrading of all other airport infrastructure across the country needs close monitoring. As we proceed, air transport connectivity to the North West remains a challenge. This hampers the speedy movement of people and goods between the said province and neighbouring provinces. At this stage it is not very clear whether this will be realised in the short term or medium term but we are hopeful that the Minister will pay attention to this matter.
The matter of air transport to connect South Africa with the other regional economies has improved over time. For our integration and development in the continent, we support the continued work in this regard. As we endeavour to move our country forward, we call on the Minister to investigate the matter of sustainable, affordable and economically viable air transport on how to open the markets for more participation by all South Africans, black and white. It is high time for radical transformation of this sector and for skilling black South Africans to become experts in the field of aviation. The ANC supports this budget. [Applause.] [Time expired.]
Adv A DE W ALBERTS
[nm33] Mr L RAMATLAKANE
Adv[nm34] A D ALBERTS: Hon Chair and hon Minister, you have noted a list of some notable successes on your side and we acknowledge that, but we need to address important problems as well.
Afrikaans:
Minister, openbare vervoer is steeds baie gebrekkig en word sonder behoorlike planne uitgevoer. '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 die e-tolstelsel motoriste sal dwing om gebruik te maak van openbare vervoer.
In reaksie daarop is die vraag, watter openbare vervoer? Openbare vervoer vir arm gemeenskappe is onveilig en amper nie-bestaande vir die middelklas en diegene in die platteland. Daar is ook 'n nasionale vervoerreguleerder nodig om alle fooie te reguleer tot voordeel van die gebruiker, insluitende die fooie vir e-tolpaaie en ander tolpaaie.
English[nm35] :
I wish to address three huge problems that are facing the department. The first problem arose due to poor planning and the lack of proper public consultation, known as the infamous e-tolls. The hugely expensive toll system carries no legitimacy in the eyes of the public. The ANC in government is faced with tax revolt as people have resolved not to pay e-tolls. Apparently, the SA National Roads Agency has now appointed two prosecutors to investigate possible prosecution of nonpayers. The trouble with this strategy is that the ANC will further alienate road users and will face anew constitutional challenges arising from those arrests.
Further to this, one has to ask why Sanral is not instituting legal action against the e-toll construction companies that colluded to keep prices artificially high. The SA Competition Commission has already given Sanral the green light, yet Sanral is only interested in prosecuting the regular person. Surely Sanral could claim a substantial amount back of the e-toll capital expenses if they prosecuted those construction firms. The question is, why not? Why prosecute the public when those companies have stolen from the public purse? That needs to be investigated.
Afrikaans[nm36] :
Die tweede probleem het ontstaan weens die wanbestuur van Transnet se pensioenfondse, wat nou gelei het tot 'n eis van by die R85 miljard teen Transnet en die regering. Dit is die grootste regseis in die geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika. Sou die eis slaag, kan Transnet geen een van sy beplande uitbreidingsprogramme voltooi nie weens 'n gebrek aan geld en weens 'n gebrek aan kredietstatus. Daardie hofsaak begin volgende Maandag.
English[nm37] :
Hon Minister, the third problem is the state's patent inability to adhere to its own laws, like the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences, Aarto. The testing of this Act in Johannesburg and Pretoria has failed dismally on many fronts. For instance, the metro police have usurped the role of the Road Traffic Infringement Agency and they intimidate the public to pay illegal fines to the Johannesburg council, while illegally blocking the issuance of licences based on outstanding, yet illegal fines.
Afrikaans:
Minister, dit is dalk goeie advies om eers die basiese reg te kry voordat ambisieuse projekte, soos die e-tolstelsel en Aarto - die Administratiewe Beregtiging van Padverkeersmisdrywe. – wat tot dusver net kaders en korrupte amptenare ryk gemaak het, aangepak word. Dankie.
Ms S P BOSHIELO
Adv A D ALBERTS
Ms[nm38] S P BOSHIELO: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members, members of executive councils and of departments of transport from the provinces, distinguished guests, officials of the department and public entities, where I come from there is a saying that goes:
Sepedi[nm39] :
Tau tša hloka seboka di šitwa ke nare e hlotša.
English[nm40] :
In simple terms it means that together we will move South Africa forward. Poverty, inequality and unemployment still affect the lives of our people. The ANC government is committed to working with our people to address these challenges and move South Africa further forward towards the achievement of the Freedom Charter. In terms of the National Development Plan and Vision 2030, South Africa needs to invest in a strong network of economic infrastructure designed to support economic and social objectives. Infrastructure provision should be more affordable and efficient and also be linked to higher levels of public investment. To enhance the performance and efficiency of the transport system or sector, the department facilitates and co-ordinates a Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Prasa, capital programme, which includes the refurbishment of rolling stock, the upgrading of signalling systems, increasing line capacity and extension, as well as improving operational performance.
Prasa has just completed its long-term national strategic plan, with a vision that extends to 2050, to map out its role in terms of developing rail service in rural areas and the integration of the mainline passenger services and long-distance bus services. This strategy forms part of the country-wide travel demand needs, based on existing demand information, in order to update the proposal for the metropolitan areas plus long-distance bus services. It also identifies key corridors on the rail and bus network, thereby setting priorities for transport integration and identifying hubs for investment and development activities. This clearly indicates and confirms that Prasa and the Department of Transport understood the mandate that was given to the ANC by the overwhelming majority of our people in the last election.
Rail is the backbone of the public transport system. Many of our people use rail as their primary mode of transport, both as daily commuters and long-distance travellers, because of the affordability and the role that it plays in the migration pattern of employment in various sectors. Our people still travel from urban areas to home in the rural areas at month-end and for holidays. Actually, the traffic congestion in most cities decreases and also improves during school and public holidays.
Sepedi[nm41] :
Re ya gae go ikhutša ge dikolo di tswaletše. Ke maikhutšo a setšhaba.
English[nm42] :
We are very happy that there are plans to develop rail in the previously disadvantaged areas. The Department of Transport and Prasa should be commended in this regard. [Applause.] The following developments are in the pipeline and, as the portfolio committee, we will motivate for the department to be allocated more funds in order to realise these developments: The Limpopo Rail Plan, which has almost been finalised and will include the possibility of speed rail between Musina and Johannesburg; the N8 Rail Development Corridor in the Free State, which will link Kimberley, Thaba Nchu, Mangaung and Maseru; the possibility of linking Kimberley in the Northern Cape and Mahikeng in North West; and the linking of Queenstown to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
The following rail expansions have also been prioritised: the Moloto rail link, the Bara link, the Motherwell rail link and the King Shaka Airport link. [Applause.] These developments will also go hand in hand with station developments in order to improve service quality and bring back dignity to our people. Proper shades, ablution facilities and waiting areas will be improved to avoid long queues and exposing our passengers to harsh weather conditions.
There are also challenges in this sector and they need to be addressed in order to further improve service quality. There is a problem with service reliability, with departure times and punctuality, as well as with co-ordinated timetables. Sometimes trains arrive at destinations in the early hours when there is no transport to take people further. We must also improve on the first leg and last leg of the integrated transport - how people get to the rail service and how they go back. We also need to improve our technology, including an integrated ticketing system. We need to deal with the issue of speed and the dwelling times between stations, as well as with the problem of interfacing with Transnet. There is also a shortage of skills and too much use being made of consultants because of this shortage of skills. I am happy because the department has put forward a programme to decrease the use of consultants and increase the skills base.
The department will also be finalising various rail-related policies and strategies in this financial year. Key among them is the National Rail Safety Strategy. The aim of this strategy is to regulate and enhance rail transport safety. Most of the accidents are due to human error and theft of cables. We call upon the Minister of Police to assist the department and bring these culprits to book because many lives are lost due to this recklessness.
There is also an urgent need to assist our provinces and municipalities to complete their Provincial Land Transport Frameworks and Integrated Transport Plans in line with the provisions of the National Land Transport Act. Consultants are taking our provinces and municipalities for a ride because they just cut and paste plans from one province to another. In Limpopo you will find a plan devised for uMgungundlovu in KwaZulu-Natal.
The department made the undertaking that they would assist our provinces and municipalities. The integrated rapid public transport networks, IRPTNs, have also improved public transport, especially in Johannesburg and Cape Town, where it is called MyCiTi. I do not know why our colleagues from the opposite side are not commending the ANC government for the Rea Vaya bus rapid transport system. It is the ANC government that is doing that. [Applause.]
The ANC government will continue to invest in the upgrading and expansion of the country's rail and road infrastructure to create jobs and reduce unemployment. Local manufacturing of new rolling stock will create 8 088 direct job opportunities and the implementation of other transport projects will develop more work opportunities. New jobs will also be created in the transport sector by facilitating and implementing a Blue Economy Business Model. This will be done by altering the way in which we run our industrial processes and tackle resultant environmental problems, refocusing from the use of rare and high cost energy resources to instead seek solutions based on simpler and cleaner technology.
I am also surprised that our colleagues on the opposite side are not commenting on the "big five" companies that were found by the Competition Commission to be colluding over prices when dealing with road construction. [Applause.] They do not say anything about it because maybe they are getting a donation from them. I think our government is working more to improve public transport and it is high time that our colleagues from the opposite side must come and ride with us to improve the public transport system.
The department is geared towards improving our public transport system. The Minister and the Deputy Minister take their time to brief the portfolio committee on their plans and on what to do. We are very happy that they have the interests of the department and of South Africa at heart. Together we will do more. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]
Ms E K M MASEHELA
Ms S P BOSHIELO
Mrs[nm43] E K M MASEHELA: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, comrades and compatriots, good evening.
Sepedi:
Re lotšhitše.
One of the immediate priorities of the ANC-led government when it came into power in 1994 was to redress the imbalances of the past and, in particular, to improve the quality of life of the poor. The Department of Transport has thus been given a clear mandate to provide safe, reliable, effective, efficient and fully integrated transport operations that best meet the needs of all passengers. The department is also mandated to provide infrastructure and services that are efficient and affordable. In order for the department to be equal to this mandate, it needs an efficient administration.
In transforming the department, compliance in employment equity becomes the key element. Indeed, there is compliance with the requirements of equity in almost all areas. Out of a total of 613 filled posts, 44,5% are males, 55,5% are females and 1,8% are people with disabilities. By the way, the target is 2%. We are getting there. However, out of 150 senior management positions filled, 61% are males and 38% are females. We are appealing to the department to work hard in redressing this situation. At present, vacant posts are at 25,4%. For the department to be effective, all vacant posts should be filled with immediate effect, especially the post of director-general. Personnel should also be continuously capacitated to ensure efficiency.
Of the total budget of the Department of Transport, 96% is in the form of transfers to provinces, local government and entities. We thus need adequate and efficiently skilled human resources in the department and entities. This will ensure that the transfers are done timeously and the department will be in the position to closely monitor and evaluate their use. The department should also monitor whether funding allocations are used for the intention they are allocated for. At present, 20,8% was transferred during the first quarter. This indicates that the department is on track in moving South Africa forward.
The department is spending 1,2% on employees and we want to take this opportunity to commend them as this will ensure that service delivery is taken care of.
In his reply during the debate on the state of the nation address, the President indicated that there was a need for Batho Pele principles to be revitalised. This is indeed key to the department in its interaction with provinces, local government, entities and many other stakeholders.
Expenditure on the use of consultants and professional services has declined by 30,7%. In order to limit the use of consultants, it is important for the administration to have personnel that is equal to the task. The administration should therefore provide leadership, strategic management and administrative support in line with appropriate legislation. We are going to monitor the use of consultants by the department, and where consultants have been used, we will ascertain whether there has been value for money and, importantly, if there has been any transfer of skill to the department's employees. [Applause.]
I am from a rural village or a rural community. People are talking about rural transport but they have never been there. During the apartheid regime, we used to have one bus that would take us to town at eight o'clock and we would have to wait for the same bus to take us back home at three o' clock. Even those who came very early by train from Gauteng province to Limpopo would have to wait and hang around until three o'clock for them to go back home. So, a lot has been done since then. [Applause.]
The department has to target the local municipalities as the strategic sphere of government that implements a lot of projects but in most cases lacks capacity to ensure capacity building.
In conclusion, the ANC supports the Budget Vote of the Department of Transport, because it will indeed assist in moving South Africa forward. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr C H H HUNSINGER[mn44]
Mrs E K M MASEHELA
Mr[nm45] C H H HUNSINGER: Hon House Chairperson, hon members, the hon Minister has an exciting assignment in Transport. It would be instrumental in what hon President Zuma described as an opportunity to embark on radical socioeconomic transformation. Referring to the National Development Plan, the President was clear in announcing that "the economy takes centre stage in this programme". This is indeed where Transport should take its position - at centre stage. This requires new thinking, with innovative approaches, and not more of the same, as in the past.
My input on the current state of transport seeks to reflect pride in our country, an aspiration to compete globally and a deep concern for what we do with the revenue collected from our citizens. The concerns that millions of people are facing is echoed by a spectrum of economic indicators, like low GDP rates, a high Gini coefficient, poor foreign direct investment, dwindling business confidence and unstable inflation. The decline in many of these indicators can be associated with the need to improve our transport infrastructure so as to better connect business to markets, transfer goods and unlock the country's economic potential.
Most of the department's key performance indicators are congested with phrases such as "the development of various strategies", "the review of various strategies" and "the establishment of various regulators". These do not reflect smart principles and, ultimately, do not hold the promise of change for the commuter, taxi driver, business and international partners.
Initiatives like the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading, VPUU, project in Harare, Khayelitsha are prime examples of integrated planning allowing for better pedestrian access and connecting commuters to a variety of transport options that include car, bus, taxi and rail at the Kuyasa, Chris Hani and Khayelitsha transport interchanges. In contrast to this, we have been waiting for the Moloto Rail since 2003.
John F Kennedy said: "Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." Governance should be measured by the promises that were kept and not by the best-sounding ideas. Simply put: Solution should follow and speak to the problem. In this regard, there is a serious disconnect on various levels and spheres in transport. Key to this is to honour public participation and inclusive opinion.
As a caring party, the DA is upset that unsafe vehicles are still transporting children to school and that taxi drivers have no employment contracts. Why must we argue and fight to get funding for alternative roads or e-tolls, especially when trucks cause the most damage to these municipal back roads? Why don't we save the money and simply bring the trucks back to the main tolled road and let them drive for free? This is an example of how you can align the principles of the NDP to infrastructure and economic development and growth.
Hon members, What happened to the dial-a-pothole campaign? Did anybody answer? The S'hamba Sonke conditional grant, which was launched in 2011 to do exactly this, has been diluted to what was described last week, on 8 July 2014 as, "There is only R9,6 billion currently available." Government is breaking cars, taxis, buses and trucks due to unmaintained roads. Rather, fuel levies should be ring-fenced for the construction and maintenance of roads.
With over R240 billion collected since 1998, instead of spending this money on roads, it has been blown on fire pools in Nkandla and private flights around the world for certain Cabinet colleagues. In the interest of improving services and the public's experience of public transport services, more must be done towards better structure and to integrate existing taxi services into programmes designed to improve the safety and reliability of public transport.
In the DA-run Western Cape, around 100 minibus taxi drivers will be trained to operate a new MyCiTi bus route in Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Cape Town. We are also in need of better management institutions to govern our roads. The proposed Road Accident Benefit Fund Scheme Bill, in its draft form, is a prime example of silo thinking. For example, against the current deficit of R49 billion, it is estimated that the current staff component of 2 513 – which has grown at a rate of 17,1% to R996 million in 2013-14 – will increase to well over 2 800. In other words, about R404 million will be spent on an additional staff component of about 300 people. Government should be limiting our public sector wage bill and not rapidly adding to it.
Now, in keeping with the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill, clause 35 effectively deprives foreigners who are not ordinarily residents of South Africa, for instance tourists, from receiving a temporary or long-term income benefit. Excluding such persons is not good for our image as a tourist destination and will deter crucial international investment and interaction.
We welcome the extension of the deadline for comment on this Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill to 31 July 2014. Our engagement and consultation with stakeholders have caused much concern and we will argue strongly in favour of wide public participation, especially because of the potentially negative impacts of this Bill.
Lastly, it is necessary for the Minister to consider ways of better co-operation between the three spheres of government. Too often the experience is that national government takes a top-down approach to governance. Taking away the Division of Revenue Act funding when municipalities and provincial administrations cannot spend the money hits our people - not the officials and political gatekeepers who are mainly responsible.
Mobility determines the level of access to opportunity. If individuals don't have the freedom of movement, they cannot take advantage of these opportunities. The Department of Transport needs to get its act together so that we can create the environment that is necessary to grow the economy and create jobs. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr M P SIBANDE
Mr C H H HUNSINGER
Mr[nm46] M P SIBANDE: Hon Chairperson, hon Ministers, hon members, our guests in the gallery ...
IsiZulu[nm47] :
...ngaphambi kokuba kuyiwe okhethweni bekunamaqembu aphikisayo abelokhu engcolisa igama likaMongameli uZuma kodwa ebe ebhekise ngqo ku-ANC. I-ANC ibilokhu iqophe eqolo kuhle okonwabu luphokophele phambili; ayizange ikugqize qakala lokho. Kwazise phela ukuthi abadala bayasho ukuthi ichalaha lesimaku sikamesisi siyayigijimisa futhi siyayikhonkotha imoto egijimayo emgaqweni. Kodwa-ke uma leyo moto ima isimaku sikamesisi siyayekela singabesisakhonkotha kodwa sichamela amasondo aleyo moto. [Uhleko.] Lokho kusobala kuhle kwezinqe zeselesele ukuthi uKhongolose nguye kuphela ogijimayo osebenzayo nokwazi ukuguqula izimpilo zabantu bonke bakule ngabadi, ngisho nakubantu baseNtshonalanga Kapa imbala nabo bayahlomula emvuzweni wezithelo zikaKhongolose. Noma kunjalo-ke kodwa izimfamona zilokhu zimgxeka nhlangothi zonke.
Baphume bonke abantu baseNingizimu ngosuku lokhetho kuhle kukaZulu eya eMakheni ukuyovotela uKhongolose. Ihlaya elikhulu ukuthi yize noma onkabi babesimbathekisa i-ANC bezama ngazo zonke izindlela ukuheha abavoti.
English[nm48] :
The worst part is that there are parties that are politically bankrupt ...
IsiZulu[nm49] :
…aphenduke amaqola kwezepolitiki azama nokweba uMongameli uMandela, i-Freedom Charter, imibala kanye nezingoma ze-ANC. I-DA zolo lokhu ibikade ihamba izinkantolo imangalela i-ANC ngezingoma zayo kodwa-ke okushaqisayo ukuthi uma ziculwa yibona akulona icala. Abantu akufuneki bakhohlwe ukuthi amaculo ka-ANC anomlando nokuthi aculwa nini futhi uma kwenzenjani. Iningi lalawo maqembu abelokhu eninda ukhongolose ngodaka kule Ndlu yesiShayamthetho asephenduke umgodi onganukwanja amanye asenciphile. Amanye awo aphelele obala kuhle kwezithukuthuku zenja ngoba amalungu awo awalaxaze phansi kuhle kwamafinyila. Ngisho nakuwo amaqembu aphikisayo akhona kule Ndlu ngokhetho abuye nenduku yombangandlala, elambatha. Ziwe izihlathi zathi dedelele ...
English:
Mr S J MASANGO: Chair, I rise on a point of order.
Mr[nm50] M P SIBANDE: What order? [Interjections.]
The[nm51] HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon members. What is your point of order, hon member?
Mr S J MASANGO: Chairperson, the member is not speaking to the Budget Vote. He is totally out of order. [Interjections.]
Mr[nm52] M P SIBANDE: It is my maiden speech, Chairperson.
The[nm53] HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon members! [Interjections.] Order! Hon member, that is not a point of order.
Mr S J MASANGO: Chair, we are speaking about ... [Interjections.]
The[nm54] HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, take your seat. Let us allow the hon Sibande to continue.
IsiZulu:
Mnu M P SIBANDE: ... kuhle kwamawolitshi amuncwe umsoco kwazise phela ukuthi ayihlabi ngakumisa.
English[nm55] :
Allow me to advise some parties in this august House that they must learn to listen and to be disciplined - Agang SA in particular. There is a song by The Manhattans, titled Kiss and say goodbye.
IsiZulu:
Elungeni layo elikule Ndlu liboqaphela nalo ngoba i-DA izolimanqaza ngo-kiss nalo ligcine ngokushabalala kule Ndlu kuhle komholi walo uDokotela uRamphele. [Uhleko.]
Sihlalo, uMnu De Freitas we-DA ukhuluma ngephuzu lokuqala nelesibili uthi kufuneka kuncishiswe isabiwomali sikaNqgongqoshe. Naku okufuneka akucabange, yikuthi uhulumeni osiphethe akafani nalo hulumeni awaziyo. Lo hulumeni okhona uyilungu le-SADC ne-Brics; angazi yini noma kunosomlingo amaziyo yini ozothengela uNgqongqoshe umshanyelo andize ngawo. [Uhleko.]
Izolo loku iNtshonalanga Kapa njengesifundazwe isebenzise izigidigidi zamarandi ezeqile kwezingama-30 ikhokhela abeluleki. Ngibuyele kubab'uMulaudzi; Bab'u Mulaudzi unenkinga. Ubuyiphoyisa lomgwaqo kepha angikhumbuli nangelanga elilodwa wenza izincomo ngalezi ndlela ozibonayo namhlanje ukuthi kumele kwenziweni ngazo – ubuthulile. Ngiyaqonda Ngqongqoshe uBab'uMaludzi akalaleli. UNgqongqoshe ngenkathi ekhuluma ngeMoloto Corridor ukuthi ixhumana nabantu basemakhaya, kanjalo ne-Gauteng Metro waphinda futhi wakhuluma ngoHlelo iSihamba Sonke ephendula izinkinga zasemakhaya. [Ubuwelewele.]
Inkinga kaMnu Mulaudzi ukuthi mhlawumbe into emenza ukuthi izindlebe zingavuleki yingoba ukhohlwe ukugqoka i-ovaloli ebovu, nomakalapa namabhuzu. [Uhleko.] Bab'uMulaudzi zizibona amaphiko ukundiza kanti azindizi zonke.
KuMongameli ngithi: Wena ngane kamaMzobe, wena Gedleyihlekisa abantu baseNingizimu Afrika bayabonga futhi bayaziqhenya ngawe nenhlangano kaKhongolose! Bathi ngokuphuma kwabo ngobuningi baye okhethweni kuyinkomba yokuthi kuyiqiniso elimsulwa ukuthi izolo alifani nanamuhla. Nabanye bentsha bayakhohlwa ukuthi izolo belikhona nokuthi ikusasa lizoba khona.
Kuhumeni oholwa nguMsholozi sibuyile isithunzi somuntu ompisholo! [Ihlombe.] Abantu baseMpumalanga e-Bethal bazibona bephephile abasenalo uvalo lokuthi bazobulawa benziwe umanyolo wokuvundisa amasimu amazambane wogombela kwesabo. Abantu baKwaZulu-Natali, eMsinga endaweni yaseNhlesi, bebengakwazi ukuwela umfula iNhlesi uma ugcwele ugola izintethe, ikakhulukazi izingane zesikole bezingakwazi ukufinyelela esikoleni kodwa namuhla izakhamuzi kanye nezingane zesikole ziyaziqhenya ngoba uhulumeni oholwa uKhongolose ubakhele ibhuloho. [Ihlombe.]
Abantu abasebenzayo abagibela izitimela zinsuku zonke uma beya emsebenzini sebegibela ngokuphepha abasenalo uvalo lokuthi bangahlaselwa noma yinini. Izakhamuzi eziningi ebezikhanyisa ngobhaqa futhi zipheka ngembawula sekuyiphupho kwazise uhulumeni oholwa yi-ANC uyanakekela, usufake ugesi ezindaweni eziningi ngisho nasemijondolo imbala. Izindawo ezisemaphandleni seziphenduke amadolobha amancane.
English:
You can take the person out of the bush, but you cannot take the bush out of the person.
IsiZulu:
Kuyihlazo elinyantisa igazi uma kule Ndlu yesiShayamthetho kusenabantu abazibiza ngokuthi bangabaholi bengazi ukuthi nanoma siyizinhlangano ezahlukene ...
English:
... the country has one President, who is elected by the people. A few days ago, there was a report about the condition of President Zuma's health. One of the opposition party leaders responded ...
IsiZulu:
... ngokuthi kunokuba abengcono isifo esimphethe masiqhubeke sidlange ngamandla.
English:
I would like to quote Malcolm X, who said:
Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think, or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today.
The Freedom Charter says, "There shall be houses, security and comfort." Of course, the ANC is the only organisation that is committed to improving the lives of people and the conditions in which they will live comfortably. It is also committed to ensuring easy access to public transport.
During the previous term, the DA's policy did not fundamentally oppose the infrastructure development, which involved e-tolls. Their fear is around the following: In Limpopo, the DA does not want the government to improve or upgrade any road because they do not want the roads to be conducive to our communities undertaking the pilgrimage to or attending church in Moria.
IsiZulu:
Uma sikhuluma ngokuthuthukiswa kwezindawo zasemakhaya, abafuni intuthuko iye kwezinye izifundazwe yingakho belokhu bekhuluma ngeNkandla.
English:
No one has ever unpacked the issue of Nkandla to indicate the budget for hospitals, clinics and roads. The ANC was the only organisation that indicated that somewhere figures in the budget were inflated. To an extent, some conservative media people always give negative statistics about the actual pilgrimage turnout.
IsiZulu:
Ukube bengizenzela, Ngqongqoshe ngabe isabiwomali sinikezwa izindawo zonke zasemakhaya zangaphambilini. Ngisazokhuluma ngayo i-DA.
English:
Regarding the taxi industry, the DA does not want to see any development in infrastructure, such as roads, because roads are dominated by people from the disadvantaged black communities. Therefore ... [Interjections.] Like you!
The[nm56] HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Order, hon member!
Mr[nm57] Z M D MANDELA: Chair, I rise on a point of order.
The[nm58] HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): What is your point of order, hon member?
Mr[nm59] Z M D MANDELA: Chair, I want to know whether it is parliamentary for an hon member to say to another hon member that they are talking nonsense. [Interjections.]
The[nm60] HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, you are not the Presiding Officer. I will make the ruling. I heard what the member said. Hon member, will you withdraw the remark, please?
An HON MEMBER: I withdraw, Chair.
The[nm61] HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Thank you, hon member. Please continue, hon Sibande.
Mr M P SIBANDE: The taxi industry is dominated by people from the disadvantaged black community. The DA knows that if there is an improvement in the conditions within which black-dominated businesses operate, the gap between the haves and the have-nots will quickly close. [Interjections.] I did not disturb you when you were talking about the same issue!
[nm62] The DA's motto for blacks is Hlala kwabafileyo [let the dead remain with the dead]. That is their mind-set. To an extent, they wanted to support e-tolls. Thank you. [Time expired.]
[nm63]
The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT (Ms E D Peters )
Mr M P SIBANDE[ns64]
The[nm65] MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Hon Chairperson, I just want to refer a little bit to my earlier speech and to what I said, as part of the conclusion, when I gave an indication that we are busy crafting the National Transport Master Plan. We believe that this information -about how cities develop, how older cities are going to grow and how the population will actually move to different parts of the country from the rural areas - needs us to be able to respond to it.
This is exactly what informed Cabinet when we presented the National Transport Master Plan and had it sent back - just on the eve of the adoption of the National Development Plan. It would have been wrong for us to have a National Transport Master Plan, Natmap, which is not aligned to the National Development Plan. [Applause.] You must also remember that Natmap is actually speaking to transport infrastructure, which is intended to follow the assumptions for the growth trajectory of South Africa, as laid out in the National Transport Master Plan.
It is for that reason that Cabinet also resolved that Natmap must also find expression in the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee, PICC, which is chaired by the President. We feel very excited because of the fact that the Department of Transport's planning process will also be overseen by this important programme, which is driven by the President.
I also need to indicate that for the remaining part of this year, we will introduce the Merchant Shipping Amendment Bill - and I'm sure the Deputy Minister would have referred to it - the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Bill, as well as the National Land Transport Amendment Bill.
I believe that we all know the legislative process, and that these will ultimately get to this Parliament. This will allow us, as well as our entity, the Road Accident Fund, to continue with public consultation and get the necessary public comments. We want maximum participation and that is why we want this Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill to go through our provinces. [Applause.] We don't want only certain people to be beneficiaries of the Road Accident Fund Benefit Scheme. We want to make sure that we are able to respond to the needs of our people. Many pedestrians and other road users die on the roads, leaving orphans, widows and widowers who are at present destitute and are cramming and crowding the services of the SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, and the Department of Social Services.
There are people in South Africa whose hopes have been dashed because parents have died in the carnage on the roads. We believe that the Road Accident Fund Benefit Scheme will bring about a situation where we can safely say this is the curb. But we also know of people who have been cashing in greatly. It is painful in this South Africa to find that we have a social security net - the Road Accident Fund - that actually says the child of a poor man or woman who dies on the road - because the mother was a domestic worker and the level of income or financial loss is meagre - does not qualify for the money that would have taken them out of poverty. They are forgetting that the only thing these domestic workers and gardeners think about is to get their children out of poverty and be a catalyst for the eradication of poverty. [Applause.] We believe that this is one way of radically transforming the programmes of government to benefit the poorest of the poor so that we would then be able to alleviate the pressures they are facing.
I also want to indicate to you that as a department we have achieved good financial standing in the past financial year and we are working towards achieving a clean audit opinion in this current financial year too. We want to say that we are committed to that.
Everything that we presented to you today is not the work of an individual but of Team Transport. I therefore wish to take this opportunity to thank the President and the Presidency for the honour, trust, support and guidance that they have given us in this work. We also want to thank Cabinet colleagues and the MECs of Roads and Transport in the provinces for their collaboration and support. I have seen many of the MECs, including the MEC who is the Deputy Chairperson of the Shareholder Committee of the Road Transport Management Co-operation, MEC Butana Komphela. We are working together quite effectively with our MECs and we want to make sure that the resources we devolve to provinces can be used to meet the demands of our people.
I also want to thank the Deputy Minister for her co-operation, collaboration, support and team spirit. Our sincere gratitude also goes to the committee chairperson and the Portfolio Committee on Transport for their guidance and support. We pledge to work together with the Portfolio Committee on Transport in moving South Africa forward. We also wish to acknowledge the work being done by the department with the provinces and agencies, under the leadership of the acting director-general and Team Transport.
As part of presenting the Budget Vote for 2014-15 of the Department of Transport, let me just remind hon members that MyCiTi is not a project of the City of Cape Town or the province of the Western Cape. [Interjections.] You know quite well that the bus rapid transport systems, including MyCiTi, have been conceptualised, managed and funded by the ANC-led government through the national Department of Transport; through the National Land Transport Act; the Public Transport Strategy; the National Guidelines on Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network - which also speaks to BRT - and the Division of Revenue Act. [Applause.]
I also want to indicate to you that, recognising the historic role of the taxi industry, we have actually expressed that they should be centrally located in this BRT system. You would know that we want to ensure that our people who are operators - and even drivers and other service providers in the taxi industry - should be able to graduate from running that small vehicle to a bus and to other services. We also believe that the taxi industry is going to be central throughout the transport network. [Applause.]
That is the reason that we are going to be hosting a taxi summit, where we want to make sure that we discuss and agree with all the operators on the minimum requirements and national guidelines on BRT negotiations. We want to make sure that we do not have a system for the City of Cape Town and a different system for Areyeng, Rea Vaya or Ibhongo Lethu. We want national standards and we believe this will be implemented.
I want to thank the hon members from the ANC for reminding us who brought us here and in whose interests we have been appointed. We want to thank the ANC for its drive in making sure that the policy derived from the ANC is a policy that speaks to the challenges of our people and makes it possible, even through transport, that we can create a better life for all. Whatever we are doing, we are doing it because the ANC said we needed to do it.
I just want to remind hon members that the Moloto Road is not an initiative that we have been reminded of by the EFF, with their red overalls forgotten today. It is also an initiative by the ANC, because the ANC believes that we need to create a platform for our people to arrive safely at their homes.
The problem also ... [Applause.] There are people in this House whom we have to follow because of the corrupt activities they did in their previous employment. [Applause.] [Time expired.]
Debate concluded.
The Committee rose at 21:30.
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