Questions and Replies

Filter by year

11 March 2022 - NW15

Profile picture: Sithole, Mr KP

Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport

In respect of road works in KwaZulu-Natal in the 2020-21 financial year, what (a) total number of contractors received contracts from (i) the SA National Roads Agency and (ii) his department, (b) are the names of the specified contractors, (c) are the relevant details of the work that each contract entailed, (d) are the roads on which the work took place and (e) is the date of completion for each contract?

Reply:

(a)(i)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Number

Name of Contractor

Type of work

National Route

Estimated Completion Date

1

Geomech Africa (Pty) Ltd

GEOTECHNICAL DRILLING SERVICES FOR THE UPGRADING OF NATIONAL ROUTE 2 BETWEEN UMTENTWENI INTERCHANGE (SECTION 22, KM 34.8) AND HIBBERDENE INTERCHANGE (SECTION 23, KM 5.3)

N2

June 2021

 

Geomech Africa (Pty) Ltd

GEOTECHNICAL DRILLING SERVICES FOR THE UPGRADE OF NATIONAL ROUTE 2, SECTION 32 FROM PONGOLA (KM 30.80) TO THE MPUMALANGA BORDER (KM 70.16)

N2

June 2021

 

Geomech Africa (Pty) Ltd

GEOTECHNICAL DRILLING INVESTIGATION FOR THE DESIGN OF THE UPGRADE TO NATIONAL ROUTE 2 SECTION 24 AND SECTION 25 BETWEEN LOVU RIVER (KM 12.0) AND UMLAAS CANAL (KM 2.7)

N2

October 2021

2

Leomat Construction (Pty) Ltd

WIDENING OF NATIONAL ROUTE R22 SECTION 5, THROUGH KWANGWANASE TOWN

R22

June 2023

3

Martin & East (Pty) Ltd

MANUFACTURE OF A TEMPORARY VEHICLE RESTRAINT CONCRETE BARRIER SYSTEM FOR THE UPGRADING OF NATIONAL ROUTES 2 AND 3 IN THE EASTERN REGION

N2 & N3

April 2023

4

Raubex Construction (Pty) Ltd

THE UPGRADE OF NATIONAL ROUTE 3, SECTION 2 FROM DARDANELLES (KM 26.6) TO LYNNFIELD PARK (KM 30.6)

N3

June 2024

 

Raubex Construction (Pty) Ltd

THE UPGRADE TO NATIONAL ROUTE 3, SECTION 2, FROM CATO RIDGE (KM 20,2) TO DARDANELLES (KM 26,6).

N3

April 2025

 

Raubex Construction (Pty) Ltd

THE UPGRADING OF NATIONAL ROUTE 2 FROM KWAMASHU INTERCHANGE, SECTION 25 (KM 28.6) TO UMDLOTI RIVER BRIDGE, SECTION 26 (KM 14.0)

N2

December 2025

5

Raubex KZN (Pty) Ltd

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OF THE NATIONAL ROUTE N2, BETWEEN SECTION 21, IZINGOLWENI (KM 101.1) AND SECTION 22, MURCHISON (KM 18.4)

N2

June 2022

 

Raubex KZN (Pty) Ltd

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OF NATIONAL ROUTE 2 SECTION 22 FROM MTAMVUNA RIVER

(KM 0.00) TO KANDANDLOVU (KM 12.40) - Package 1

N2

April 2022

 

Raubex KZN (Pty) Ltd

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OF NATIONAL ROUTE 2 SECTION 22 FROM KANDANDLOVU

(KM 12.40) TO MBIZANA RIVER (KM 24.00) - Package 2

N2

April 2022

 

Raubex KZN (Pty) Ltd

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SLOW LANE ON NATIONAL ROUTE 3 SECTION 3 FROM SANCTUARY ROAD INTERCHANGE (KM 15.2) TO LINK ROAD (KM 21.2)

N3

August 2022

6

Rumdel Construction Cape (Pty) Ltd

THE UPGRADE TO NATIONAL ROUTE 3, SECTIONS 2 AND 3 FROM LYNNFIELD PARK (KM30.6) TO ASHBURTON (KM0.8)

N3

January 2025

7

Tau Pele Construction (Pty) Ltd

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE ON NATIONAL ROUTE 2, SECTION 29 FROM EMPANGENI T-JUNCTION (km 13.00) TO km 28.80

N2

July 2022

 

Tau Pele Construction (Pty) Ltd

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE ON NATIONAL ROUTE 2, SECTION 29 FROM km 28.8 TO ETEZA WEIGHBRIDGE (km 44.6)  - Package 2

N2

July 2022

8

Telegenix Trading 799 (Pty) Ltd

MOOI RIVER TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE OPERATIONS

N3

May 2026

9

Trench and Blasting (Pty) Ltd

THE PROVISION OF CRUSHED AGGREGATE FROM THE RCL 9 QUARRY FOR THE UPGRADE OF THE N3 BETWEEN CATO RIDGE TO NEW ENGLAND ROAD

N3

August 2026

10

Triamic Construction (Pty) Ltd

CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW KOKSTAD INTERCHANGE AND TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE ON NATIONAL ROUTE 2, SECTION 21 (KM 6.4)

N2

November 2023

11 March 2022 - NW262

Profile picture: Shembeni, Mr HA

Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Transport

What (a) measures has his department put in place to monitor the usage of the Komatipoort bridge as a parking spot for trucks transporting chrome over weekends and (b) has he found to be the possible dangers to the road caused by this practice?

Reply:

a) The Department of Transport and /or its Entities do not manage road traffic at the mouth of the border, it falls within the Nkomazi Local Municipality jurisdiction supported by the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works in line with Schedule 5 Part B of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. However, the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) supports and contributes to the unimpeded flow of goods and passengers between South Africa and her neighbouring states through its law enforcement arm.

b) Since the Department of Transport and or its entities does not monitor traffic as stipulated above it has not done surveys to ascertain the impact of this practice. However, such a practice can contribute to the bridge collapse, congestion, reduction of efficiencies, lack of compliance to road traffic regulations and does not promote road safety.

Looking into the future, the C-BRTA is in a process of implementing a pilot, with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), on an Operator Compliance Accreditation System (OCAS) and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO). This pilot will fast-track accredited trucks to cross the border with limited interventions from border stakeholders. Furthermore, the C-BRTA is also in a process of negotiating with other government and private stakeholders regarding the implementation of a new electronic Queue Management system that will allow trucks to the border to be allocated designated time slots, the electronic queue management system will also be implemented together with a holding facility closer to the mouth of the border as there is no parking space along the corridor for such truck volumes. If trucks arrive at the border before their allocated time slots, they will then be allocated numbers on arrival and be released when called by border authorities to cross. These measures will alleviate congestion at the border and eliminate the possible utilisation of the Komatipoort Bridge as a parking space for trucks.

11 March 2022 - NW385

Profile picture: Sithole, Mr KP

Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether, following the Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting he hosted together with the Minister of Employment and Labour, the Minister of Police, the Minister of Home Affairs with representatives of the trucking industry, including other engagements related to the meeting, there has been a successful outcome of the resolutions taken in the meeting which fall under the mandate of his department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, although the issue relates to a large extent to employment and labour portfolio and the impasse plays itself on the public road, my Department has taken upon itself to actively participate in resolving the matter. My Department is currently in the process of amending its regulations to ensure that it supports the legal framework that Employment and Labour operates with regard to the acknowledgement of the driver documentation for the purposes of driving in the Republic.

My Department has established a Task Team of all the stakeholders within the transport sector, wherein issues that needs to be resolved are being presented and interventions developed. To this end there is some consensus with all the Stakeholders on those issues and they are currently being dealt with.

 

11 March 2022 - NW363

Profile picture: Lees, Mr RA

Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether his department has any plans in place to undertake heavy rehabilitation of the R74 within the Uthukela District Municipality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether he will furnish Mr R A Lees with the details of the (a) section and/or sections of the R74 that will be a part of the heavy rehabilitation, (b)(i) start and (ii) end dates for the heavy rehabilitation for the various stages of work on the R74, (c) the extent of work to be undertaken and (d)(i) start date and (ii) extent of maintenance work to be undertaken prior to the heavy rehabilitation work being undertaken given the dangerous conditions of potholes and road collapses along the R74; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. Yes, the KZN Department of Transport has a plan to undertake the heavy rehabilitation of R74 known as P11 and will be executed utilising the EPC approach (Engineer, Procure and Construct).

2. a) The sections for the rehabilitation of R74 will be from 10.00 km to 33.00 km only.

b) Work of the section for heavy rehabilitation will start at the beginning of 2022/23 financial year and is expected to be completed at the end of 2022/23 financial year.

c) Prior to the heavy rehabilitation ,the province is planning to undertake the following maintenance activities, that is:-

  • Design and construct of pavement layers that include sub base layer, base layer and wearing course
  • Road markings and installation of road studs
  • Construction of fixing of the drainage, and
  • Reinstating the damaged road signs and guardrails.

d) (i) All maintenance activities will start in June 2022 and are expected to be completed by December 2022.

(ii) Considering the dangerous condition of the road, especially potholed during the rainy season, the department will continue with preventative maintenance such as pothole fixing using internal maintenance team until this section of road (10.00 km to 33.00 km) is rehabilitated.

11 March 2022 - NW337

Profile picture: Brink, Mr C

Brink, Mr C to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)Whether he and/or his department shared information with provincial governments about the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act, Act 46 of 1998, (AARTO) since 1 January 2021; if not, why not; if so, (a) what was the substance of the specified information and (b) on what date was the information disseminated; (2) Whether he and/or his department received any substantive responses from provinces in response to such information; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. Yes, the Minister and the Department of Transport did share information with provincial governments about the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act, 1998 (Act No 46 of 1998)

(a) Minister of Transport through the Entity issued a Letter “LINKING OF SAPS OFFICERS TO ISSUING AUTHORITIES” dated 14 January 2021. The substance of the correspondence clarified the linking of the SAPS to the local traffic authorities.

The Minister of Transport issued a circular on “AARTO ROLL-OUT FROM 01 JULY 2021” as pronounced. The aforesaid circular is dated 9 July 2021. Was forwarded to all provinces.

The Minister further through the Entity facilitated virtual meetings with the all provinces regarding the AARTO Rollout. The engagements further presented the following:

  • AARTO Master Implementation Plan;
  • AARTO Readiness assessments;
  • System Deployments and NaTIS Connectivity;
  • AARTO Training for Law Enforcement & Back-Office Staff;
  • AARTO Service outlets to be deployed per province;
  • Signing of MoU’s between stakeholders to give effect to the rollout;

(SAPO & GPW issues)

  • AARTO Education and Awareness Campaigns;
  • Monitoring & Evaluation of the AARTO Implementation.

The virtual consultation dates with provinces were as followed:

Schedule of AARTO Meetings with HoDs in Provinces

Province

Meeting Date

Eastern Cape

09 March 2021

Mpumalanga

16 March 2021

North West

16 March 2021

Free State

17 March 2021

Limpopo

30 March 2021

KZN

19 April 2021

NC & WC

No confirmation of availability was received as requested

Gauteng

Currently implementing AARTO

August 2021 schedule of meetings held with Provincial Management

Province

Date

MP

17 August 2021

LP

17 August 2021

WC

19 August 2021

EC

19 August 2021

KZN

19 August 2021

GP

20 August 2021

NC

20 August 2021

FS

20 August 2021

NW

25 August 2021

September 2021 schedule of meetings held with Provincial Management

PROVINCE

DATE

FS

02 September 2021

GP

08 September 2021

MP

13 September 2021

LP

13 September 2021

WC

14 September 2021

EC

14 September 2021

KZN

14 September 2021

NC

16 September 2021

NW

16 September 2021

(b) The Minister & the Department of Transport have established an AARTO National Steering Committee (ANSC) that convenes quarterly for AARTO Stakeholders to engage on matters of mutual interest in the implementation of AARTO. The ANSC is preceded by technical support committees before the main committee could convene. The following are dates and issues deliberated upon in the ANSC:

ITEM

DATE

ANSC

28 January 2021

ANSC

29 March 2021

ANSC

11 June 2021

Special ANSC

14 July 2021

ANSC

24 August 2021

ANSC

28 September 2021

ANSC

17 February 2022

ANSC Issues:

The following are standard agenda items discussed at the ANSC:

  • Feedback on Executive Directives & Shareholder Engagements
  • AMIP/ Draft AARTO roll out plan and related updates
  • AARTO IT equipment deployment report
  • System enhancement update
  • Technical support committee reports
  • Municipal Monitoring and Oversight Sub-Committee/ SALGA Engagements
  • Provincial AARTO Coordinating Committee meeting feedbacks

2. The Minister & the Department through its Entity received the following substantive responses from the Western Cape in response to information shared, all stating that the province will not be ready to implement of AARTO by 01 October 2021and further raised the following concerns:

2.1. The RTIA Capacity to implement AARTO

2.2. Lack of meaningful consultation;

2.3 The issues around the AARTO Regulations and the need to review AARTO legislation;

2.4. Delays in Training;

2.5. The challenges around the successful rates of representations;

2.6. Transparency in reporting; and

2.7. Absence of an implementation report in the two jurisdictions where AARTO was piloted.

2.8 The province further requested the Entity, the RTMC and the Department to accommodate the e-force interface for the province since the province was already using smart law enforcement, which request is still under discussions;

11 March 2022 - NW320

Profile picture: Lees, Mr RA

Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)What are the details of the surveys conducted by (a) his department and (b) the SA National Roads Agency Limited on the state of roads in the Uthukela District Municipality from 1 October 2021 to 31 December 2021; (2) whether he will furnish Mr R A Lees with copies of the survey reports; if not, why not; if so, on what date?

Reply:

1. (a) The Department of Transport’s mandate relates to the monitoring of adherence to Committee of Transport Officials (COTO) requirements with regard to condition surveys performed by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and the various Provincial Authorities. Therefore, the Department of Transport does not conduct its own condition surveys. (Department to verify response)

(b) As per COTO requirements, road condition surveys are required to be performed at least once after every 2 years for Class 1 roads. For the 69.1 km of National Roads (Class 1) under SANRAL administration in Uthukela District Municipality, the road condition surveys were performed on 9 October 2021 and 3 November 2021. For the 229 carriageway km (both directions) of National Roads (Class 1) under N3TC administration the road condition surveys were performed between 23 and 26 September 2021.

In addition to the above road condition surveys, both SANRAL and N3TC also perform daily route patrols to monitor for any accident damage, broken fences, flood damage, potholes, etc. and then issue appropriate job instructions for repairs to appointed service providers.

2. The outcome of the automated road condition surveys performed with road condition survey vehicles for the National Road sections in Uthukela District Municipality is summarised in Table 1 below for each km of National Road. The condition parameters measured include:

a) Roughness (m/km) - Measures smooth ride and wear and tear on vehicles and cargo.

b) Ruth Depth (mm) - Measures accumulation of surface water in wheel tracks and risk of vehicle aquaplaning

c) Texture Depth (mm) - Measures friction for safer wet weather travel at speeds exceeding 60km/h

d) Stuctural Strength – Measures structural strength to withstand the axle loads been applied.

e) Overall Condition Index – Weighted combination of the above condition parameters on a scale of 0 to 100, where 100 is perfect

11 March 2022 - NW318

Profile picture: Mabhena, Mr TB

Mabhena, Mr TB to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether there is any ongoing process to enable the digital driving licence cards to come into operation; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date is it envisaged that the cards will come to operation and (b) what are the milestones of the process thus far?

Reply:

The Department of Transport has plans to introduce the digital driving licence card in 2024/25 financial year. This project is the responsibility of the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) which is the trading entity responsible for the production of driving licence cards in South Africa. The introduction of the digital driving licence (commonly referred as the eDL) will be preceded by the introduction of the new driving licence card which is set to be launched in October 2023.

The design for the new driving licence card has been completed and is undergoing process for cabinet approval.

11 March 2022 - NW202

Profile picture: Malatsi, Mr MS

Malatsi, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport

(a) What number of supplier invoices currently remain unpaid by (i) his department and (ii) each entity reporting to him for more than (aa) 30 days, (bb) 60 days, (cc) 90 days and (dd) 120 days, (b) what is the total amount outstanding in each case and (c) by what date is it envisaged that the outstanding amounts will be settled?

Reply:

(a) Department

Invoice Age Analysis

Number of Invoices

Total Amount (b)

More than 30 days (aa)

29

R 71,851.69

More than 60 days (bb)

13

R 35,607.16

More than 90 days (cc)

0

R 0.00

More than 120 days (dd)

223

R 1,187,235.53

Total

265

R 1,294,694.38

(c) The invoices more than 30 days and 60 days will be paid within the next 30 days. The invoices more than 120 days are disputed Phakisa invoices. A final offer was accepted by the supplier and once the supplier provides the new invoices, it will be paid.

Airport of South Africa (ACSA)

     

Days

 Amount

 Number of Invoices

               120

18 770 475,26

499

                 90

1 267 884,84

25

                 60

2 791 207,73

20

                 30

5 280 488,09

56

Current

38 047 207,76

118

Total

66 157 263,68

718

As a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, ACSA undertook a rental reprieve process for its tenants by giving out credit notes for the rental owed, amounting to R2,8 billion. In addition, the traffic volumes decline significantly reduced ACSA’s total revenues in the last two financial years. For the financial year ended 31 March 2021, revenues declined by about 80% i.e., from R7,2 billion to R2,2 billion, and this has led to decreased cashflows. ACSA engaged its suppliers for relaxed payment terms where possible, particularly among the bigger suppliers, leading to days average creditor days exceeding 30 days.

The monthly payment to suppliers averages R150m to R200m. Invoices for which there are no queries are paid on a monthly. Invoices older than 30 days are those wherein there are queries with the suppliers pertaining to contractual matters pertaining to scope of works/goods delivered, timing and budgets/fees.

Air Transporting Navigating System ( ATNS)

Based on 31st January 2022 age analysis

   

(aa)

(bb)

(cc)

(dd)

 
 

Current Period

31 - 60 Days

61 - 90 Days

90 - 120 Days

120 Days and over

Total

 

R

R

R

R

R

R

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) No. of invoices

101

57

48

35

390

631

 

16%

9%

8%

6%

62%

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) Total Amount

12,197,617

4,155,346

5,927,040

1,665,189

3,775,262

27,720,453

 

44%

15%

21%

6%

14%

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total No. of suppliers

 

 

 

 

 

150

(c) All suppliers where there are no disputes will be paid in 30 days

Cross Board Transport Agency( CBRTA

a) There are eleven (11) supplier invoices that currently remain unpaid at (b) Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) and are shown in the table below.

(a)

(aa) – (dd)

(b)

(c)

Total number of invoices

Period of non-payment

Amount Outstanding

Envisaged date on which amount will be paid

2

180 days

R127 123.89

The Service Provider has invoiced us incorrectly. They have agreed to re-invoice and once we receive the updated invoices, payment will be processed. The envisaged payment date is 28 February 2022.

9

90 days

R63 357.97

The Agency has raised a dispute with the service provider regarding the billed amounts. Disputed amounts will be settled once engagements are concluded. The envisaged payment date is 28 February 2022.

11

 

South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)

(a)(ii) SANRAL has 5 outstanding invoices, which are older than 30 days. The age analysis of the creditors is indicated in the Table below.

Age

Number of invoices

 

(b) Value

(R)

Reason

  1. > 30 days

1

 

1 268 262.99

Rejected by bank due to banking details incorrectly supplied

  1. > 60 days

1

 

1 738.00

 
  1. > 90 days
       
  1. > 120 days

3

 

12 405.80

 

TOTAL

5

 

1 282 406.79

 

b) The invoices will be paid immediately, once the vendor has supplied the correct banking details, as verified by the bank. SANRAL has a payment run twice a week.

Road Accident Fund (RAF)

(a)(ii) The number

of supplier

invoices that

currently remain

unpaid by the

Road Accident

Fund for more

than

(aa) 30 days,

is

(bb) 60 days, is

(cc) 90 days,

is

and (dd) 120

days, is

 

33

109

65

170

b) the total

amount

outstanding in

each case is

R2,196,378.25

R5,921,095.21

R2,647,942.17

R11,881,697.38

and (c) the processing for payment of the outstanding amounts is an ongoing process, which

is subject to certain challenges, including, unresolved queries relating to suppliers’ invoice

details; suppliers’ change of banking details; disputes with suppliers on services or goods

provided; and a lengthy and labour-intensive process involved in perusing itemised legal

invoices, per item of cost incurred, having regard to different rates allowed per item.

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

A) We have 8 invoices that are unpaid, please see table below:

Except for the one service provider, SAPO, all other invoices will be paid within 14 days and they are still within 30 day.

There is currently a dispute that is being resolved with SAPO, invoice to be paid within 7 days.

Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA)

a) What number of supplier invoices currently remain unpaid by

(ii) each entity reporting to him for more than

(aa) 30 days =0,

(bb) 60 days = 2,

(cc) 90 days = 3 and

(dd) 120 days = 4,

(b) what is the total amount outstanding in each case and

(aa) 30 days =0,

(bb) 60 days = R121 034.52,

(cc) 90 days = R117 134.56 and

(dd) 120 days = R25 136.72

(c) by what date is it envisaged that the outstanding amounts will be settled?

(aa) 30 days =Not applicable,

(bb) 60 days = January 2022,

(cc) 90 days = January 2022 and

(dd) 120 days = under dispute

Drivers Licence Card Agency (DLCA)

(aa) 0

(bb) 0

(cc) 0

(dd) As at 10 February 2022, the DLCA has one invoice that remains unpaid for longer than 120 days, the invoice was received in February 2021. However, the DLCA has paid the portion of the invoice that was not disputed. The other portion is still under dispute.

(c) By 31 March 2022 after the legal dispute is resolved.

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

a) (i) Not applicable

(ii) (aa) 48

(bb) 10

(cc) 16

(dd) Included above, system ages up to 90+ days

b) (i) Not applicable

(ii) (aa) R95 043.21

(bb) R2 819.35

(cc) R205 930.79

(dd) Included above, system ages up to 90+ days

c) All outstanding invoices are planned to be settled in February 2022.

Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA)

(a)(ii) The Ports Regulator does not have any invoices that are outstanding for more than (aa) 30, (bb) 60, (cc) 90 or (120) days. The Ports Regulator has systems and processes in place to ensure that all invoices are paid within average of 14 to 21 days after the receipt of the invoice from supplier with no required amendments. This was further confirmed by the Auditor General during the 2020/2021 financial year audit.

(b) N/A

(c ) N/A

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

Number of invoices outstanding

Number of invoice outstanding

(aa)

30 days

(bb)

60 days

(cc)

90 days

(dd)

120 days

3

0

0

6

a) The total amount outstanding in each case is:

Period outstanding

Amount

30 days

R179,591-23

60 days

R0

90 days

R0

120 days

R19,923,304-65

b) The date envisaged for the outstanding amounts to be settled is:

Period outstanding

Amount

Envisaged date of payment

Notes

30 days

R179,591-23

28 February 2022

-

60 days

R0

Not applicable

-

90 days

R0

Not applicable

-

120 days

R1,855,767-89

31 March 2022

-

 

R16,264,306-26

Unknown

The amount is being disputed and payment date is therefore unknown.

 

R1,696,738-74

Unknown

The amount is being disputed and payment date is therefore unknown.

 

R106,491-76

31 March 2022

-

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

(ii) The SACAA currently has (aa) zero 30 days outstanding invoices (bb) zero 60 days outstanding invoices and (dd) only has one invoice outstanding as per the creditors age analysis that is in 120 days (b) amounting to R33 741. (c) The invoice is currently in dispute and will be paid once the dispute is resolved.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

Number of invoices outstanding

c) The total amount outstanding in each case is:

Please refer to table above in (a).

d) It is impossible to specify the date on which the outstanding amounts will be settled given the current situation that PRASA finds itself in, especially with the OPEX.

  • The total group debt amounts to R4,8 billion, with OPEX accounting for 92% of this debt.
  • Most of the debt, 53%, is owed to Transnet, with other suppliers constituting 39% and municipalities a further 8%.
  • PRASA is currently not able to pay its debt as they become due with most of its debt being in excess of 180 days.
  • Only invoices over 180 days will be settled monthly except for payroll, critical suppliers (i.e. ICT, security, municipal rates, etc.), statutory items, insurance related claims, legal disbursements and court orders.

11 March 2022 - NW136

Profile picture: Van Minnen, Ms BM

Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)In view of the oversight visit to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s Head Office in Gauteng undertaken by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts recently to deal with issues pertaining to their outstanding audit and troubled audit history, and in view of the Board’s ongoing instability over recent years with the current Board not meeting the requirements of the Legal Succession to the Transport Services Act, Act 9 of 1989, as there are ongoing vacant positions, (a) what is the current situation in this regard and (b) how does he intend to fill the vacant positions; (2) what has he found are the ramifications on the decision-making powers of the current Board given that they do not meet the requirements of the Legal Succession to the Transport Services Act, Act 9 of 1989?

Reply:

1 The Board of Control of PRASA is governed by section 24 of the Legal Succession to the South African Transport Services Act, 1989 (Act No. 9 of 1989) which provides that –

“(1) the affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Control of not more than 11 members including the chairman, who shall be appointed and dismissed by the Minister.

(2) At least-

(a) one of the members of the Board of Control shall be an officer in the Department of Transport;

(b) one of the members of the Board of Control shall be an officer in the Department of Finance;

(c) one of the members of the Board of Control shall be nominated by the South African Local Government Association recognised in terms of section 2 (1) (a) of the Organised Local Government Act, 1997 (Act 52 of 1997);

(d) three of the members of the Board of Control shall have expertise and experience in the management of a private sector enterprise.”

(a) There are currently nine Board members, with only two vacancies

(b) The two vacancies have been advertised through a mass advertisement for all Transport entities, and the process of filling the positions is underway.

(2) The Board of Control of PRASA does quorate with the 9 members as the Act requires not more than 11 members rather than 11 members. What will cause the Board of Control not to quorate will be vacancies emanating from non-compliance with section 24 (2) of the Act, of which the 2 vacancies mentioned above are not related to the provisions of section 24(2).

 

08 March 2022 - NW206

Profile picture: Sithole, Mr KP

Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether, in light of the recent reports that material from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa was found being melted and processed at a scrap yard in Johannesburg around 31 January 2022, his department has conducted an investigation in this regard; if not, why not; if so (a) who has been held responsible and (b) what total amount in damages has been recorded?

Reply:

a) PRASA, is currently running multiple investigations into scrap metal theft, and together with law enforcement agencies, is running multi-disciplinary operations in the pursuit of combatting crime (with investigation continuing to close down on syndicates).

On 31 January 2022, the Minister of Transport, joined PRASA’s ongoing operations, where there were multiple incidents and raids conducted that resulted in arrests.

To date there has already been 1 500 arrests due to these operations with many receiving lengthy prison sentences.

b) Damages, over the period from the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 to date, is in excess of R1,2 billion.

08 March 2022 - NW563

Profile picture: Chabangu, Mr M

Chabangu, Mr M to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether his department quantified the extent of potholes in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the details of the extent of the problem and (b) total amount would it cost the department to fix all the potholes?

Reply:

Background

The department of Transport has made an assessment on the condition of road network in South Africa based on the road condition data available from the various road authorities, which is summarised for paved roads in Table 1 and for gravel roads in Table 2 below.

Table 1: Summary of Paved Road Condition

Table 2: Summary of Un-Paved (Gravel) Road Condition

There are numerous factors influencing the performance of a pavement. The following five are considered the most influential:

  • Traffic is the most important factor influencing pavement performance. The performance of pavements is mostly influenced by the loading magnitude, configuration and the number of load repetitions by heavy vehicles.
  • Moisture can significantly weaken the support strength of natural gravel materials, especially the subgrade. Moisture can enter the pavement structure through cracks and holes in the surface, laterally through the subgrade, and from the underlying water table through capillary action. The result of moisture ingress is the lubrication of soil particles, loss of particle interlock and subsequent particle displacement resulting in pavement failure.
  • Subgrade: The subgrade is the underlying soil that supports the applied wheel loads. If the subgrade is too weak to support the wheel loads, the pavement will flex excessively which ultimately causes the pavement to fail. If natural variations in the composition of the subgrade are not adequately addressed by the pavement design, significant differences in pavement performance will be experienced.
  • Construction Quality: Failure to obtain proper compaction, improper moisture conditions during construction, quality of materials, and accurate layer thickness (after compaction) all directly affect the performance of a pavement. These conditions stress the need for skilled staff and the importance of good inspection and quality control procedures during construction.
  • Maintenance: Pavement performance depends on what, when, and how maintenance is performed. No matter how well the pavement is built, it will deteriorate over time based upon the above-mentioned factors.

a) As an Honourable Member may be aware, it is difficult to eradicate potholes on the road network as the emergence of new potholes depends entirely on the extent and nature of rainfall in that month or year.

It is true that potholes cannot be eradicated, however, to ensure that roads are properly maintained, my department is providing support (supplementary funding of just over R12 billion per annum to provinces) through the Provincial Road Maintenance Grant that is ringfenced for the maintenance, rehabilitation, strengthening of paved roads, re-gravelling, gravel road blading and blacktop patching (including pothole repairs).

b) The value of maintenance backlogs to address the road condition was estimated to be R197 billion in 2013. Based on the assessment of the 2017 data and additional data being collected, this figure is expected to increase and the process to update this calculation is work in progress.

08 March 2022 - NW347

Profile picture: Mabhena, Mr TB

Mabhena, Mr TB to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether the Railway Safety Regulator has completed an investigation into (a) the incident where an empty Transnet Freight Rail Blue train derailed at the Union Station Loop in Germiston on Sunday, 7 November 2021 and (b) two Blue train coaches derailing within the Salvokop Blue Train train-yard in January 2022; if not, what are the reasons that no investigation has taken place; if so, will he furnish Mr T B Mabhena with a copy of the report?

Reply:

Operators are required to investigate all occurrences and report the to the Railway Safety Regulator. The type of investigations the Railway Safety Regulator conducts is where occurrences result in any of the following:

 (i) Multiple (more than one) injury or fatality in any occurrence category.

(ii) Significant damage to property including assets.

(iii) Significant environmental damage.

(iv) Any occurrences on the network which may attract significant public interest or may give rise to a possible evacuation of a community or part thereof, occurrences which may affect the normal public road usage or an injury/death to a public figure.

a) On 7 November 2021, at approximately 00h35, it was reported that Transnet Freight Rail Blue Train that was staged at Union station had run away and derailed at SCAW SA siding. The Railway Safety Regulator responded to the occurrence site to determine facts which contributed to derailment.

Transnet Freight Rail has indicated that they are conducting a Board of Inquiry (BOI) into the cause of the derailment to establish facts surrounding the occurrence and develop recommendations aimed at reducing the recurrence of the occurrence. The BOI is expected to be concluded by end of February 2022.

b) On 16 January 2022, at 11h18, it was reported that a Blue Train derailed during shunting at the Transnet Freight Rail yard in Pretoria at 11h00. No injuries were sustained, with no impact on assets and operations.

This occurrence does not meet the requirements for the Railway Safety Regulator to respond to site in accordance with the Railway Safety Regulator procedures, since it did not result in fatalities and/or injuries to operators’ employees, members of the public and passengers. There were no injuries sustained and no impact to assets and operations as a result of this occurrence.

08 March 2022 - NW286

Profile picture: Nolutshungu, Ms N

Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport

What (a) steps have been taken by his department to remove shacks built along the railway line in Cape Town as per court order and (b) housing alternatives will his department be providing to those persons who will have to be removed?

Reply:

a) The Department has mobilized all relevant stakeholders within the state, and across all three spheres of government, based on their respective mandates to develop and implement a plan to remove the shacks built along the railway line.

The relevant stakeholders are:

  • Department of Transport, Department of Human Settlements, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure;
  • Western Cape Provincial Government represented by the Departments of Transport and Public Works as well as Human Settlements;
  • The City of Cape Town;
  • The Housing Development Agency (HDA); and
  • PRASA

Collectively, the stakeholders have identified parcels of land to which the illegal occupants in the railway reserves could be relocated to. The relocation was opposed by communities adjacent to the parcels of land identified for the resettlement of the illegal occupants. Alternative parcels of land are being further identified for acquisition to be used for the resettlement.

b) The provision of housing settlements is not within the mandate of the Department of Transport. Hence the Department has partnered with the Department of Human Settlements through the Housing Development Agency (HDA) for the provision of housing structures to those families that would be relocated from the railway reserves. To this extent an Implementation Protocol has been initiated to be signed by all stakeholders involved in the removal of families that have settled within the PRASA reserves. The objective is to identify suitable land for human settlements on which basic services like water and sanitation, roads and other amenities can be installed.

08 March 2022 - NW174

Profile picture: Hoosen, Mr MH

Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether he and/or his department ever received correspondence from a certain political organisation (details furnished), via email, WhatsApp, hardcopy and/or in any other format of which the original file is dated June 2020; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was the specified correspondence received, (b) who was the sender of the correspondence and (c) what steps were taken by his department in this regard?

Reply:

No such correspondence was ever received by the Department of Transport.

Matters of recruitment, selection appointment and placement of CEOs and Board Chairperson and Board Members of State Entities as well as Director General of Departments are governed by respective legislative and regulatory prescript as applicable in the Public Sector.

The Department of Transport ensures full compliance with all such laws, regulations and process

(a)(b) (c) Not applicable

02 March 2022 - NW95

Profile picture: Mabhena, Mr TB

Mabhena, Mr TB to ask the Minister of Transport

In light of the fact that the five-year contract between Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) and a certain company (name furnished) lapsed on 25 January 2021 and subsequent to that the DLCA took a decision to extend the contract by a further six months to 25 July 2021, what is the (a) current status of the contract and (b) cost of out-of-contract services with the specified company?

Reply:

a) The contract with Muhlbauer ID Services was subsequently terminated on 26 July 2021. The SCM process was followed and the local suppliers (South African) were appointed to provide this service.

b) The total amount paid during the extension from 27 January 2021 to 26 July 2021 amounted to R 8 million which was within the variation threshold (15%/ R15 million) provided by the National Treasury.

02 March 2022 - NW147

Profile picture: Schreiber, Dr LA

Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Transport

What total amount in Rand has each (a) Minister and (b) Deputy Minister spent on (i) fuel, (ii) tyres, (iii) oil, (iv) toll fees and (v) repairs for their official motor vehicles through the transversal contracts administered by his department since 8 May 2019?

Reply:

The total cost for fuel, tyres, oil and repairs for the official vehicles from May 2019 to December 2021 is R 1 035 615.32.

The cost for E toll from May 2019 to October 2021 is R47 500.00.

The total cost for fuel, tyres, oil, repairs and toll fees is R1 083 115.32.

02 March 2022 - NW135

Profile picture: Van Minnen, Ms BM

Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)In view of the recent oversight visit by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to various Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) stations and locations in Gauteng, including the train station in Mabopane north of Pretoria which is the subject of ownership contestation (PRASA could not obtain an occupation certificate from the City of Tshwane. Part of the property belongs to Tutuni Investments 31 PTY LTD), what is the (a) current situation regarding the land ownership and (b) reason that a Prasa station is located on private land; (2) (a) how was planning permission granted to construct the station, (b) who granted the permission and (c) on what date was such permission granted; (3) what is the current situation with regard to the security contract; (4) whether any permanent security is in place to prevent ongoing damage and vandalism; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. (a) The Mabopane train station has been built prior to 1980, with the ownership falling under the South African Railway and Harbours Administration (SAR&H). During all the changes in administration, the land ownership has changed as set below.

The station comprises of two interlinked terminals: the railway terminal and the bus terminal. The railway terminal is located on land owned by PRASA and the bus terminal, at the time of construction, was locate on three land parcels:

(1) Portion 3 of Farm Rietgat No 611–JR

(2) Remainder of Farm Boekenhoutfontein No 236–JR

(3) Portion 266 of Farm Rietgat No 611–JR

Land parcel (1), was owned by the State and fell under the jurisdiction of Department of Land Affairs. The Department of Land Affairs agreed to donate this property to the South Africa Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC, currently PRASA). A recommendation to dispose the property was done in 2006 and was approved by the Minister of Land Affairs. National Treasury also granted approval to donate the land parcel to PRASA on 16 May 2007. The State Attorney was appointed to effect the transfer. To date, the transfer has not taken place, however, the State Attorney’s office is reopening the case and will complete the transaction.

In April 2000, Land parcel (2) and (3) were consolidated into a single property known as Farm Mabopane No 702–JR and registered via title deed T73872/2012 in favour of City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (City of Tshwane). According to the Department of Land Affairs, the City of Tshwane had agreed in principle to transfer the portion of land, on which the bus station is located, to PRASA.

In 2008, City of Tshwane transferred the remainder of Farm Mabopane No 702–JR, to Tutuni Investments 31 PTY LTD, No 2008/002145/07.

In 2012, Farm Mabopane No 702–JR, was subdivided to create portions 44 – 58. These newly created portions were registered in favour of various owners. On 28 September 2012, the remainder of the Farm reverted to the City of Tshwane via Title Deed T73872/2012.

Portion 52, which included the portion on which the bus terminal is constructed on, was surveyed via SG Diagram No 2683/2012 by Mr G Pettit (Professional Land Surveyor, PLS0913) and registered in favour of Tutuni Investments 31 PTY LTD, No 2008/002145/07 on 22 August 2012. Less than a month later, on 10 September 2012, the property was endorsed in favour of Permacorp Investments PTY LTD, No 2011/118721/07.

It needs to be noted that:

  • The survey created a property cutting through a building, and
  • Both transactions, registration of the remainder of Farm Mabopane No 702–JR and the portion 52 were handled by the same attorneys Maponya Incorporated.

(b) Portion 3 of Farm Rietgat No 611–JR (donation to PRASA) is with the State Attorney who was appointed to effect the transfer.

The ownership of a portion of Portion 52, on which the station is situated, is still in private ownership after having been transferred by the City of Tshwane in 2008, as stated above. The City of Tshwane committed that they would assist with resolving the issue around the land they sold but has not yet done so. The land must be urgently acquired, either through negotiations or expropriation.

2. (a), (b) and (c)

Project planning for the improvement and upgrade of Mabopane Station commenced during 2013/14. The zoning and land ownership issues was known by PRASA and the City of Tshwane. As the building was in existence and only to be upgraded, the construction team, relied on the provision of subsection 4 of the National Building Regulations and Building Standard Act 103 of 1997 which prescribes that:

“…in respect of any building to be erected by or on behalf of the State, such plans, specifications and certificate as may be prescribed by national building regulation, shall before the commencement of such erection be lodged with the local authority in question for its information and comment”.

Construction work therefore commenced on the basis of subsection 4 as set out above and no building plans were lodged for approval.

However, in 2018, PRASA lodged building plans for the Mabopane Concourse with the City of Tshwane to be considered and/or approved. Following submission of the plans, several meetings were held with the City of Tshwane’s Planning Department and the latter eventually communicated on 27 September 2019 that:

  • the plans submitted to City of Tshwane’s Planning Department by PRASA cannot be supported,
  • the Occupation Certificate cannot be issued due to the Station Precinct, stretching over a number of erven (Erf 611/43, Rietgat and the remaining extend of portion 3 and 52 of Rietgat) and
  • the land parcels and rights is not supporting the current use.

3. There is currently a security contracts in place on the Mabopane – Pretoria corridor. Personnel has been deployed compromising of both PRASA internal security and those sourced through private security companies. To date, there has been no vandalism or crime incidents reported since the deployments.

4. PRASA has deployed 160 permanently employed security officers on the corridor. The private security contract expires in September 2022.

 

02 March 2022 - NW110

Profile picture: Seitlholo, Mr IS

Seitlholo, Mr IS to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether, in light of the fact that the SA National Roads Agency Limited is the entity that is responsible for the maintenance of national roads, he will furnish Mr I S Seitlholo with the maintenance plan for the N12 between Stilfontein and Klerksdorp or Matlosana given the current dire condition of the specified road; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Maintenance activities are carried out continually on the N12 and there is a dedicated Routine Road Maintenance team working on the road. Most of the N12 road under SANRAL jurisdiction is in a good condition.

There is a sinkhole that developed on the N12 near Stilfontein in the North West province. The sinkhole on the road reserve has affected both SANRAL and municipal land. To address this, SANRAL appointed consulting engineers who completed the required design work. For construction work to commence, SANRAL requires that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) be entered into between itself and the Matlosana Local Municipality. SANRAL is in constant communication with the Matlosana Local Municipality to finalise the MOA.

SANRAL has gone out on public tender for the appointment of a contractor to repair the sinkhole but cannot complete the award of the construction tender until the MOA is finalised.

02 March 2022 - NW93

Profile picture: Mabhena, Mr TB

Mabhena, Mr TB to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)(a) What are the full names of each official in the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) who received a combined salary increase of 88% in the past three years, (b) what process was followed when the increases were effected and (c) who approved the increases; (2) whether he will furnish Mr T B Mabhena with the (a) breakdown of the salary increases according to each employee and (b) motivation and/or justification of the salary increases; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the increases were effected as a result of performance; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, will he furnish Mr T B Mabhena with the records of performance appraisal; if not, why not; if so, on what date; (4) in what way has he found were the increases justifiable in relation to the poor performance of the entity, given the fact that the DLCA revenue decreased by 34% in the 2020-21 financial year; (5) whether he has found that a salary increase of 7,3% would have been adequate for senior management in the 2020-21 financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. There are no officials that received a combined salary increase of 88% in the past three years at the DLCA. The salary payments to the executives at the DLCA are provided below in line with the figures audited by AGSA and published in the audited Annual Performance Report of the Entity. All payments to staff at the DLCA are regulated by the Department of Public Service and Administration.

a) In 2018/2019 financial year, the top four executives earned a total of R3,404,000. The average was R 851,000 each. This average is distorted by the executive who worked only two months in the year and resigned. The average for the three executives excluding the resigned manager is 1,098,000.

b) In 2019/20 financial year, there were three (3) executives, who earned a total of
R3,104,000. This resulted to an average of R 1,035,000 each.

c) In 2020/21 financial year, there were three (3) executives, who earned a total of
R3,196,000. The average was R 1,065,000. The difference is due to the fact that the CFO did not act for 12 months.

 Executives

2018/'19

2019/'20

2020/'21

Former CFO

178,000

Resigned

Resigned

Acting CFO

1,038,000

927,000

1,016,000

Senior Manager: Information Technology

109,000

Resigned

Resigned

Senior Manager: Production & Infrastructure

1,061,000

1,107,000

1,111,000

Senior Manager: Risk, Governance & Compliance

1,018,000

1,070,000

1,069,000

 Total

3,404,000

3,104,000

3,196,000

Average

851,000

1,034,667

1,065,333

2. Refer to (1) above

3. Refer to (1) above

4. Refer to (1) above

5. Although the DLCA executives would appreciate the salary increase of 7.3%, all salaries paid to the DLCA executives are aligned to the DPSA directive of which in 2020-21 financial year no increases were paid to the executives/ senior managers.

23 December 2021 - NW2632

Profile picture: Langa, Mr TM

Langa, Mr TM to ask the Minister of Transport

What steps is his department taking to improve the functionality of trains in eThekwini?

Reply:

 

The eThekwini Rolling Stock fleet has been severely affected by the following:

  • Theft and vandalism;
  • Old railway lines affecting the condition of the rolling stock wheels.

The above mentioned resulted in the loss of coaches which could not be recovered through internal maintenance processes.

PRASA has appointed a panel of external service providers for a period of 36 months through a Maintenance Support Contract to assist with the recovery of coaches as well as reliability improvement which will result in the functionality of trains.

In addition, PRASA is also concluding the procurement of Mission Critical Components contract, which will also improve the availability of spares and sustainability of rolling stock.

With regards to infrastructure, rehabilitation work is planned for the Durban-KwaMashu line as follows:

  • Substation rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation of the Over Head Tract Equipment (OHTE) system\Replace stolen signalling equipment
  • Track rehabilitation\installation of backup fibre
  • Bridges project
  • Station rehabilitation

Infrastructure work on the Durban-Umlazi lines will cover the following:

  • Substation rehabilitation
  • Tunnels rehabilitation
  • Signalling rehabilitation
  • Perway rehabilitation
  • Installation
  • Bridges rehabilitation
  • Station rehabilitation

23 December 2021 - NW2500

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

What (a) is the basis on which (i) the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and (ii) Metrorail are renting diesel locomotives from Transnet, (b) number of Transnet locomotives have been in use under the specified rental, lease and/or loan agreement conditions in the past 36 months and (c) operational costs on the Transnet locomotives were carried by (i) Prasa and (ii) Metrorail during the past 36 months?

Reply:

 

(a). (i) & (ii) Leasing and usage of locomotives does not take place at PRASA Corporate, but happens at regional level.

Gauteng Metrorail is currently leasing shunting locomotives which are primarily supposed to be used for shunting operations in the marshalling yards at Wolmerton and Braamfontein depots.

The Eastern Cape service are operated with diesel locomotives as opposed to electrified motor coaches as PRASA has a 25KV AC overhead voltage as opposed to 3KV DC in other regions/provinces for commuter services.

In the Western Cape diesel locomotives are leased for hauling movements of train sets/wagons/coaches where no Over Head Traction Equipment is available to enable self powering of motor coaches. Metrorail also lease diesel locomotives for shunting purposes of coaches and train sets within the maintenance yards, other related depots as well as for train set rescue in section and emergency during incidents/accidents.

KZN Metrorail is currently leasing shunting locomotives which is primarily used for shunting operations in the Durban marshalling yard and in Springfield maintenance yard.

(b). The number of Transnet locomotives that have been in use under the specified rental, lease and/or loan agreement conditions in the past 36 months are as follows:

Region

Gauteng

Eastern Cape

Western Cape

Kwazulu-Natal

2019/2020

4

8

1

1

2020/2021

4

10

1

1

2021/2022 to

date

8

0

1

1

  1. Operational costs on Transnet locomotives carried by (i) PRASA and (ii) Metrorail:
    1. Refer to response in (a)
    2. Operation cost per region

Region

Amount

Gauteng Region

R80,735,340-75

Eastern Cape Region

R75,288,586-93

Western Cape Region

R11,079,828-00

Kwazulu Natal Region

R2,168,752-32

23 December 2021 - NW2675

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

What are the reasons that so little progress and improvement has been made by the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), given that according to the latest State of Safety Report by the RSR a total of 3 392 operational occurrences (details furnished) have been recorded during the past year and security-related incidents per million train kilometres have increased by 105%?

Reply:

 

During the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, operators experienced a significant increase in both recorded and unrecorded theft and vandalism security-related incidents on their assets and infrastructure. The RSR continued to advocate for means to curb these incidents throughout the rail sector influence and stakeholders. State agencies, private security employed to guard assets and infrastructure and law enforcement agencies, such as the South African Police Services (SAPS) have been actively engaged by the RSR to employ proactive measures to arrest perpetrators of these incidents. These activities included the RSR making submissions during the National Rail Crime Combating Forum under the guidance of the SAPS for action, including proactive investigations for possible prosecutions.

The 105% does not mean it is an increase between two financial periods but between 2010/11 and 2018/19 reporting. The immediate comparison between the 2019/20 and 2020/21 reporting period, reflects a decrease from 9 996 to 8 052 security-related incidents. This represents a 19% decrease.

23 December 2021 - NW2690

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether, whilst our train services are in the lowest state ever and the bank balance of the Railway Safety Regulator is at its highest ever, it is his and/or his department’s position that the current Fine-Driving system adequately contributes to rail safety; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

 

Penalties fees are charged in terms of section 45A of the National Railway Safety Regulator Act NO.16 of 2002 as amended and the penalty fee model developed in terms of the Penalty Fee Regulation of 2011.The penalty fees are approved by the Minister of Transport and published in the Government Gazette. The purpose of imposing such penalties is to: (i) Promote, improve and achieve sustained compliance with the National Railway Safety Regulator so that incidents where penalties are reduced over a period of time; and to (ii) promote safe railway operations.

The RSR uses various tools to regulate the rail industry which includes; issuing of safety permits, issuing penalties (fines) in accordance with the Act, conducting safety awareness and training of operators, developing standards, conducting audits, investigations and inspections to monitor compliance with the RSR regulatory tools, with the main aim of improving safe railway operations. As indicated issuing of penalties (fines) is only one of the instruments used by the RSR and it is intended to serve as a deterrent from contravening the Act. The issuance of penalties is not intended to be a revenue generating tool. It should be noted that the RSR does not budget for penalties. Penalty revenue for 2019/20 and 2020/21 amounted to R770 000 and R800 000 respectively.

The significant bank balance that the RSR has, is as a result of the entities implementation of its 2018 financial recovery plan and 2021 financial sustainability plan.

23 December 2021 - NW2705

Profile picture: Lees, Mr RA

Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Transport

What are the relevant details of the actual annual expenditure on all roads, including roads that fall under the mandate of the SA National Roads Agency, for each financial year from 2012 to 2021 for expenditure on (a) employees of his department, (b) new road construction and (c) maintenance on existing road infrastructure in the Uthukela district of KwaZulu-Natal?

Reply:

 

The expenditure on the 183.2 km of national roads which are under SANRAL in the Uthukela District of KwaZulu-Natal is summarised in the table below for each financial year. Please note that the employee cost of SANRAL’s regional office in Kwazulu-Natal has been pro-rated in proportion to the network length in the Uthukela District as SANRAL has no employees at municipal level.

Table 1: SANRAL Annual Expenditure Uthukela District (R Million)

 

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

(a) Employee

Cost

R2.2

R2.3

R2.6

R2.8

R3.0

R3.2

R3.4

R3.5

R3.7

R4.1

(b) New road

construction

R0.0

R0.0

R0.0

R15.6

R0.0

R0.0

R0.0

R0.0

R0.0

R0.0

(c) Maintenance

R189.5

R187.5

R322.2

R218.6

R153.7

R132.9

R90.9

R206.3

R206.6

R229.8

23 December 2021 - NW2706

Profile picture: Lees, Mr RA

Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Transport

What are the relevant details of the actual annual expenditure on all roads that fall under the mandate of the SA National Roads Agency for each financial year from 2012 to 2021 for expenditure on (a) employees of his department, (b) new road construction and (c) maintenance on existing road infrastructure for KwaZulu-Natal?

Reply:

 

The expenditure on the 1321 km of national roads under SANRAL in KwaZulu-Natal, including the portion of the N3 concessioned to the N3 Toll Concessionaire is summarised in the table below per financial year.

Table 1: SANRAL Annual Expenditure in Kwazulu-Natal (R Million)

 

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

(a) Employee Cost

R12.4

R13.4

R16.8

R18.5

R20.0

R22.8

R24.5

R25.8

R26.7

R32.2

(b) New road

construction

R98.5

R65.9

R242.4

R260.8

R266.3

R593.5

R562.5

R442.0

R275.9

R62.8

(c) Maintenance

R1 204.0

R1 475.1

R1 691.4

R1 916.5

R1 637.7

R1 128.9

R1 230.6

R1 179.7

R988.6

R918.0

23 December 2021 - NW2713

Profile picture: Lees, Mr RA

Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Transport

1. Whether, with regard to the SA Airways (SAA) flights to and/or from Brussels on and/or around 24 February 2021, he will furnish Mr R A Lees with a copy of the full investigation report on the Alpha Floor incident that occurred during the SAA flights; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; 2. What are the relevant details of (a) any complaints and/or charges received from any Belgium and/or other jurisdictions and/or authorities regarding any regulation breaches allegedly committed during the SAA flights and (b) the consequences and/or action taken as a result of the specified complaints and/or charges? NW3227E

Reply:

 

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

1. Unlike the occurrences i.e., accidents/serious incidents conducted under either ICAO Annex 13 or Part 12 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, the SAA Alpha Floor investigation was conducted under Section 73 of the Civil Aviation Act (Act 13 of 2009).

“Section 73 reads -

2. In addition to the functions referred to in subsection (1) the Civil Aviation Authority has the following functions:

m) to investigate aircraft accidents and aircraft incidents that the Aviation Safety Investigation Board has determined not to investigate in terms of Chapter 4 and for purposes of regulatory compliance with this Act;”

Investigations conducted under the above regulation are meant to determine regulatory compliance and therefore they are not published nor shared with the public as they present the compliance status of the operator and may also include punitive action taken against the operator or licence holder by the Regulator. Regulatory compliance inspections, audits and investigations are of a confidential nature as they may contain individual organisation’s sensitive information.

(2) The SACAA, did not receive nor is aware of any complaints and/or charges received from any Belgium and/or other jurisdiction and/or authority regarding any regulatory breaches allegedly committed by SAA. Our investigation though did reveal that the Alpha Floor activation at OR Tambo for the outbound flight to Brussels was not the first one the operator had experienced; an enforcement action has been taken against the operator for a failure to report both the last occurrence and the three previous occurrences.

10 December 2021 - NW2275

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)(a) What total number of senior staff members of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has been and/or was suspended since 2019 and (b) on what charges; (2) what total number of the suspended Prasa members (a) have been reinstated, (b) are still suspended and/or (c) had their services terminated; (3) with reference to the specified Prasa members who have been reinstated, are still suspended and/or had their services terminated, at what cost has this taken place in each specified case, including (a) salary and benefits expenses to Prasa and (b) legal costs; (4) with reference to the Prasa members who are still suspended, (a) what is the next expected step and (b) by what date does he envisage will the specified step be implemented?

Reply:

1. (a) The total number of senior staff members of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) that has been and/or was suspended since 2019 and (b) on what charges are listed in the table below:

(a)

Financial Year

(b)

Charges

2019/20

TOTAL = 17

Participating in the irregular appointment of private security providers

 

Failing breathalyser test when reporting for duty and colluding with competitors.

 

Procurement related irregularities

 

Misconduct:

  • sexual harassment
  • nepotism and violation of recruitment policy
  • gross dishonesty
  • gross negligence
  • dereliction of duties
  • damage to company property
  • theft
  • operational irregularities

2020/21

TOTAL = 14

Procurement related irregularities

 

Misconduct:

  • gross dishonesty
  • gross negligence
  • dereliction of duties
  • damage to company property
  • operational irregularities

2021/22

TOTAL = 11

Procurement related irregularities

 

Theft

 

Sexual harassment

2. The total number of the suspended PRASA members which (a) have been reinstated, (b) are still suspended and/or (c) had their services terminated are listed below:

Financial Year

(a)

Reinstated

(b)

Still Suspended

(c)

Service Terminated

2019/20

5

46

18

2020/21

12

36

30

2021/22

9

22

14

3. With reference to the specified PRASA members who have been reinstated, are still suspended and/or had their services terminated, the cost at which this has taken place in each specified case, including (a) salary and benefits expenses to Prasa and (b) legal costs are listed below:

(a)

FY2020/21: EMPLOYEE COST TO COMPANY

PRASA Corporate

R5,316,062-92

AUTOPAX

R1,228,945-43

PRASA CRES

R2,460,022-63

PRASA Rail

R13,497,814-55

PRASA Tech

R6,951,264-48

TOTAL

R29,454,110-01

(a)

FY2021/22: EMPLOYEE COST TO COMPANY

PRASA Corporate

R6,680,079-48

AUTOPAX

R492,277-49

PRASA CRES

R4,709,643-24

PRASA Rail

R3,617,636-63

PRASA Tech

R593,538-19

TOTAL

R16,093,175-03

(b)

FY2021/22: LEGAL COSTS

Internal disciplinary hearings

R11,024,796-36

CCMA

R7,309,533-83

Labour Court

R5,766,758-82

TOTAL

R24,101,089-01

 

4. With reference to the PRASA members who are still suspended, (a) the next expected step and (b) by which date the specified step is envisaged to be implemented is listed below.

(a)

BUSINESS UNIT

PROGRESS STATUS

PRASA Corporate

  • 4 Senior members: disciplinary hearing in progress for Procurement related irregularities
  • One manager: still under investigation for Gross dishonesty and fraud allegations

AUTOPAX

  • Disciplinary Hearings in progress for gross negligence, false declaration, shortages and theft

PRASA CRES

  • Disciplinary hearings are in progress for all suspended employees for procurement related irregularities

PRASA Rail

  • Disciplinary hearings are in progress for all suspended employees for various acts of misconduct

PRASA Technical

  • One Employee undergoing disciplinary process
  • Attorneys appointed to finalise charges and proceed with disciplinary hearing in another matter

(b) Dates

The matters are all at different stages of either the investigation or the disciplinary process. It is not possible to give an exact date of the next step for each matter, since this is influenced by a number of factors, like the complexity of the matter, the availability of the parties, the stage of the investigation by either internal or external investigators, etc.

10 December 2021 - NW2360

Profile picture: Thembekwayo, Dr S

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Transport

What steps will his department take to mitigate the increasing incidents of the overloading of learners on small taxis and bakkies operating as scholar transport, which result in injury and death in the case of accidents?

Reply:

The National Learner Transport Policy of 2015, National Land Transport Act of 2009 and National Road Traffic Act of 1993 regulate and manage the safety of learner transport services.

The Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC) is empowered by the Act, to act on public transport operators who disregard the provisions of the Road Traffic Act and compromise the safety of passengers and other road users. Overloading of passengers is strictly forbidden and different punitive measures are being exercised to ensure compliance with the Act.

Regulation 250 of the National Road Traffic Act of 1993 provides that no person shall on a public road convey school children in the goods compartment of a motor vehicle for reward.

The Department together with the Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC) and provinces will continue to strengthen the enforcement of the Act and its regulations to ensure zero tolerance to these violations.

10 December 2021 - NW2295

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)What total amount of Bus Rapid Transit System funding did the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) transfer to each of the 13 cities in the past three financial years; (2) what total amount has been paid by Sanral to a certain company (name furnished) since the beginning of their engagement, distinguishing between (a) contract agreement and (b) operational agreement payments?

Reply:

1. The SA National Roads Agency (SANRAL) mandate does not include public transport, as such SANRAL has not made any Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System funding transfers to any of 13 cities in the past three financial years.

2. SANRAL has made payments to Electronic Toll Collection (Pty) Ltd, (ETC), in which Kapsch TrafficCom (Sweden and Austria) has 25% direct shareholding, for the development of an Account Based Ticketing (ABT) module as part of the SANRAL Transaction Clearing House (TCH) system to enable pilot projects to commence at selected cities. The Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) systems of the BRT’s will interface to the SANRAL ABT module for account hosting and transaction processing.

a) The amount that was paid to date to ETC for the ABT module project is R1,711,282.65, excluding VAT for development and integration of the module on the SANRAL TCH.

b) No operational costs have been incurred to date as the project is still in the development stages and has not gone operational

10 December 2021 - NW2464

Profile picture: Motsepe, Ms CCS

Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Transport

What immediate interventions will be implemented by his department regarding the taxi riots in Atteridgeville, which are affecting the transportation of pupils to school during the examination period?

Reply:

The Department enquired about the taxi riots in Atteridgeville from the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport as well as the Taxi Industry in the Tshwane Region. Their response is that they are not aware of such an occurrence of taxi riots in that area.

10 December 2021 - NW2400

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

With reference to the pending final court ruling on the Langa rail occupancy matter, what are the full details of the measures that (a) his department and (b) the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa have put in place to relocate the rail occupants?

Reply:

a) There is currently in excess of 7800 households in the Western Cape Province who have illegally occupied the PRASA railway reserve along the Central Line. The areas occupied covers the rail reserves in Langa, Phillipi and Khayelitsha. Therefore, it is currently impossible for PRASA to rehabilitate or upgrade railway infrastructure or resume commuter rail services in the Central Line.

The Department, together with the National Departments of Human Settlements, Public Works & Infrastructure, Western Cape Provincial Departments of Human Settlements, Transport and Public Works, the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality and PRASA has decided that a joined approach will be taken to come up with sustainable solutions to be able to relocate households who have illegally occupied the railway reserve. In order to effect this decision, the parties has decided to enter into an Implementation Protocol that will facilitate decisions taken to find suitable alternative land to resettle the households and to ensure a process to restore the rail services in the Central Line corridor.

b) PRASA is working together with the Western Cape Department of Human Settlement and the City of Cape Town to identify suitable parcels of land and to install minimum services on this land to relocate the illegal occupants. Two (2) land parcels were identified in Eersterivier offered by the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the Western Cape Provincial Department of Transport and Infrastructure for the Langa Relocation Program.

The Court Order stipulates that the relocation should take place on or before 26th November 2021, subject to conditions, including implementation of services which will necessitate preparation of the two land parcels. To access the identified state land, a motivation was made to the City of Cape Town to undertake an internal application to declare these two land parcels as emergency relocation sites so that immediate access could be obtained and land preparation could resume. On 22 September 2021, PRASA and the Housing Development Agency made this application to the City of Cape Town. On 18 October 2021, the City of Cape Town declined the application on the basis that there is threat of opposition from a Developer owning an Estate in the Eersterivier area and that there is a petition from the receiving community in opposition of the relocation.

PRASA is currently addressing the matter through intensive consultations with the City of Cape Town, WC Provincial Government, the Eersterivier receiving community and the Langa affected communities. The consultations are currently on-going.

 

10 December 2021 - NW2399

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

What amount has the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) (a) allocated in the budget and (b) actually paid to (i) contractors and (ii) internal Prasa security for securing assets in each of the past three financial years?

Reply:

a) The total amount PRASA allocated in the budget for the past three financial years is R3,857,356,575-49.

b) Please refer to the breakdown in the table link below for the actual amount paid for securing assets in each of the past three financial years.

https://pmg.org.za/files/RNW2399-2021-12-10.pdf

10 December 2021 - NW2383

Profile picture: Nolutshungu, Ms N

Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether his department has conducted a rail infrastructure audit; if not, why not; if so, what percentage of the infrastructure network is (a) functional and (b) carries (i) goods and (ii) passengers?

Reply:

An infrastructure audit has been undertaken by PRASA, with the below breakdown per region:

(a) Please see response below.

(b) (i) Goods fall within the portfolio of the Department of Public Enterprises

(ii) Please see response below.

Gauteng Region

17% of the network is functional

  • 2 lines under electric traction (TFR Vereeniging & Saulsville)
  • 2 lines under diesel traction (Naledi & Leralla)

List of functioning lines:

  • TFR Vereeniging – Union (249 patronage per day)
  • Saulsville – Pretoria (1973 patronage per day)
  • Naledi – Johannesburg (4096 patronage per day)
  • Leralla – Germiston (6142 patronage per day)

Kwa-Zulu Natal

47% of the network is functional

 

List of functioning lines:

  • Umlazi – Durban (9830 patronage per day)
  • TFR Cato Ridge – Durban (5830 patronage per day)
  • Kelso - Durban Partially Functional from Umkomaas to Durban (1660 patronage per day)

Western Cape

 

40% of the network is functional

List of functioning lines:

  • Kraaifontein - Cape Town via Monte Vista (4583 patronage per day)
  • Cape Town - Langa via Mutual (325 patronage per day)
  • TFR Cape Town - Malmesbury (429 patronage per day)
  • Cape Town – Retreat via Athlone (1112 patronage per day)
  • Cape Town – Simon’s Town (3257 patronage per day)

Eastern Cape

The infrastructure network utilised by PRASA in the Eastern Cape belongs to Transnet Freight Rail (TFR)

List of functioning lines:

  • TFR Gqeberha - Uitenghage (466 patronage per day)
  • TFR East London - Berlin (5826 patronage per day)

10 December 2021 - NW2354

Profile picture: Shembeni, Mr HA

Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Transport

What measures has he put in place to resolve the long-standing strike by truck drivers across the Republic?

Reply:

My Department participates in the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) which is constituted by the President of Republic of South Africa, led by Minister of Labour. The IMC amongst others is responsible to deal with migration of foreign nationals for employment and related opportunities. Departments constituting the IMC are tasked with the responsibilities of developing an implementation plan to arrest the problems affecting the Road Freight and Logistics Industry.

The Implementation Plan had four action steps, being the review of legislation, review of policy, inspections of all companies in the truck industry and roadblocks, vehicle check points as well as high visibility patrols at affected routes. The Department of Transport and its entities, i.e, the RTMC and CBRTA participates in inspections of road freight companies, roadblocks and vehicle checks.

In addition to the above activities, my Department has proposed the insertion of Regulation 116A in the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000, which still recognises a professional driving permit issued by countries within the SADC and prescribed territories. These professional driving permits shall in line with the proposed amendment be valid only when operating a motor vehicle registered in the country that issued any such professional driving permit and further that South African registered trucks shall only be operated by drivers who possess a South African issued professional driving permit.

10 December 2021 - NW2294

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)What (a) total number of buses are currently registered in the Autopax fleet of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and (b) is the breakdown of (i) vehicle types and (ii) year of purchase of the specified buses; (2) what total number of the passenger buses were in daily use in the past financial year versus the prior financial year?

Reply:

(1) (a) The total number of buses registered in the Autopax fleet is 428.

(b) The breakdown of (i) vehicle types and (ii) year of purchase of specified buses is tabulated below:

Vehicle type

Number of vehicles

Year of purchase

MAN 26.310 6x2 FOCNR City to City

5

2009

M/Benz 24.360 6x2 0500 ORSD Andare City to City

262

2010

M/Benz 24.360 6x2 0500 ORSD Paradiso Trans-Lux

156

2010

MAN Lion Explorer

5

2009

Total

428

 

2. The total number of passenger buses in daily use during the 2021 financial year (April 2020 – March 2021) is 66. Number of passenger buses in daily use during the 2020 financial year (April 2019 – March 2020) is 117.

10 December 2021 - NW2278

Profile picture: Shembeni, Mr HA

Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Transport

What interventions has he put in place to assist truck drivers who queue for more than 30km from Lebombo Port of Entry every day and who are being robbed in the process?

Reply:

The challenges affecting the flow of cross-border traffic are because of the delays which are being experienced on the Mozambican side of the border owing to several new processes and requirements which were recently introduced. This has resulted in significant delays and vehicle pileup on the Mozambican side, as well as on the South African side. Due to the infrastructure layout on the border approach road, vehicles tend to queue on the side of the road all the way to the border mouth. The law enforcement of the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) is therefore, supporting the South African Police Service (SAPS) to detect and prosecute criminal elements who target truck drivers to ensure their safety. The Road Transport Inspectorate of the C-BRTA, under the Road Traffic Management Corporation, is also working with the Provincial Traffic and Nkomazi Local Traffic to control traffic flow with a view to reduce build up in traffic. Furthermore, the C-BRTA is engaging with Mozambican counterparts to urgently address the challenges with a view of mitigating against increased congestion at the Lebombo Port of Entry.

10 December 2021 - NW1757

Profile picture: Mohlala, Ms MR

Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Transport

What is the national backlog in respect of the issuing of operating licences to taxi operators, (b) what has he found to be the cause of the delays and (c) on what date is it envisaged he will fix the problem?

Reply:

Currently, the issuing of operating licenses to Taxi operators is the responsibility of the Provincial Regulatory Entities (PREs) in the respective Provinces. In order to determine a national backlog in respect of the issuing of operating licenses to Taxi operators, the Department, on 05 November 2021, requested each of the nine (9) Provinces to submit details of their backlogs, the causes of the delays and indications of when the backlogs will be dealt with.

To date, only seven (7) Provinces have responded, namely the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Kwa Zulu Natal, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga province. The Gauteng and North West Provinces have not yet responded. The Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces have indicated that they have no backlog in respect of issuing of operating licenses to Taxi operators in their Provinces.

There is a combined total of seven thousand nine hundred and twenty (7920) applications in backlog in respect of the issuing of operating licenses to Taxi operators as reported by Kwa-Zulu Natal, Northern Cape, Limpopo and Free State Provinces. The reasons for the delays vary between the slowness and unreliability of the NLTIS system and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is envisioned that the backlog will be dealt with and finalized by 31 March 2022.

The table below depicts the responses received from Provinces in respect of the backlog in numbers, reasons for the delay and envisioned dates to finalize the backlog per Province.

Province

a) Backlog

b) Reasons for the delay

(c) Date to finalize the backlog

Gauteng

No response received

-

-

North West

No response received

-

-

Western Cape

No backlog reported

-

-

Eastern Cape

No backlog reported

-

-

Mpumalanga

No backlog reported

 

-

Free State

821 applications

Restrictions imposed by the National Lockdown.

31 March 2022

Northern Cape

2698 applications

COVID-19 protocols and restrictions

31 March 2022

Kwa-Zulu Natal

2859 applications

Taxi operators are not uplifting the operating licenses due to vehicles being repossessed or due to reduced profit collections on operations.

Applications are cancelled on the system in accordance with the National Land Transport Regulation time-frames.

Limpopo

1542 applications

Lack of evidence of demand/supply of transport information from ITPS of municipalities in the province.

31 March 2023

10 December 2021 - NW2179

Profile picture: Chabangu, Mr M

Chabangu, Mr M to ask the Minister of Transport

What progress has he made to ensure that trains are running efficiently again in the major cities in the Republic?

Reply:

PRASA, in its quest to restore the operations of public commuter and passenger rail transport is executing the following programs: -

a) PRASA has prioritised the rehabilitation of what is themed Presidential Projects in the Mabopane Line in Gauteng, and Central Line in the Western Cape.

b) Several other key corridors and lines across the country are also project listed for rehabilitation and completion within the current financial year up to 2022/23.

c) PRASA has put in multiple strategic processes to ensure that security challenges are resolved as soon as possible to secure the safety of all passengers and employees.

09 December 2021 - NW2566

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)Whether, given that this year marks 15 years since the inception of the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP) and that the allowance has been increased to encourage a higher uptake of what should bring about safe, effective, reliable, affordable and accessible taxi operations by introducing new taxi vehicles designed to undertake public transport functions, and noting that in the 2019-20 financial year less than 2 000 taxis have been scrapped while over R5 billion has been paid in scrapping allowances to date, he has found that the TRP has succeeded in the specified objectives; if not, wat is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether, given the continued low uptake amongst taxi owners, he has found that the TRP should be continued; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. The Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP) has been successful in that to date, 77 763 old and unsafe minibus taxi vehicles have been removed from active operation and over R5 billion of support has been provided to an industry that transports approximately 69% of the public commuters daily while not receiving operational subsidy from government. Only minibus taxi vehicles older than 04 September 2006 are processed for scrapping and only if they are in possession of a valid operating license. As a result, the slow uptake in scrapping cannot simply be attribute to lack of interest from operators but it is equally a consequence of not meeting the requirements.

2. The objective of the TRP goes beyond the scrapping of old taxi vehicles. It forms a key pillar of the national programme to improve public transport, and is focused on the two pillars of improving the safety of passengers using the taxi mode, and the transformation and empowerment of the taxi industry. The South African public transport system consists of the rail, bus and minibus taxi services, with the latter being the only public transport service not receiving operational subsidy.

According to the National Household Travel Survey, the minibus taxi commuters account for approximately 69% of public transport users for work, school and other purposes. Over and above being the main mode of transporting public transport passengers, the taxi industry forms a critical and complex part of the South African economy with its business operations and activities. As a critical strategy in transforming and integrating the public transport system, the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme is aimed, amongst others, at:

  • replacing old unsafe taxi vehicles with safe compliant vehicles,
  • promoting modal integration through addressing the fragmentation in the minibus taxi industry, and
  • promoting the formalisation of the taxi industry and its operations into business units thereby facilitating modal integration and effective structuring and institutionalisation of the taxi industry.

Therefore, the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme will be an ongoing programme that ensures the use of safe and compliant vehicles for the majority of commuters and also provide a form of capital subsidy to the industry to incentivise compliance.

09 December 2021 - NW2567

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

Noting that once a taxi is scrapped and the Government has paid out R124 000 to the owner, which in essence is money derived from tax contributions in the hands of the National Treasury, (a) what happens to the vehicle that has been written-off, (b) are such vehicles re-sold, sold for parts and/or scrap-metal and (c) is this income returned to the National Treasury?

Reply:

a) Vehicles processed under the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP) and Revised Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (RTRP) are surrendered by the owner/applicant to the appointed service provider.

b) Old Taxi Vehicles (OTVs - minibus taxi vehicles older than 4 September 2006) processed for scrapping are physically compacted and the bales of scrap metal are sold.

The panel vans that were unlawfully converted to operate as taxis, are scrapped through the Revised Taxi Recapitalisation Program following the remedial action by the Public Protector. However, because they are not defined as OTVs, only spare parts that are not safety critical components, are salvaged and sold. The chassis, body and remaining parts are physically compacted and the bales of scrap metal sold.

c) The revenue generated from the sale of the scrap metals bales and spare parts is ring fenced and accounted for by the appointed service provider for the benefit of the minibus taxi industry. Therefore, no income is returned to National Treasury.

09 December 2021 - NW2441

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)What is the current number of manual authorisations (MAs) served by the Railway Safety Regulator on rail sections owned by (a) the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and (b) Transnet respectively; (2) when looking at each of these sections being declared as an MA, (a) which 10 are the longest and most frequently found to be unsafe and (b) on what date was each of the specified sections mentioned for the first time?

Reply:

1.   Railway Operators are required to report occurrences and incidents as prescribed by SANS 3000-1 by contacting the RSR Contact Centre, using the National Information Management System (NIMS) and a designated occurrence reporting email address. These occurrence statistics are reported and recorded to the RSR according to mandatory categories included in the South African National Standard on Railway Safety Management. These reportable categories operational occurrences and security incidents include derailments, collisions signals passed at danger, level crossing occurrences and security incidents such as theft and vandalism. Manual Train Authorisations are a daily procedural arrangement and are not reportable to the RSR. The RSR does not serve the authorisations, it is the Operator’s responsibility.

Safe train movement relies on the effective combination of all aspects of a railway system. Train control and communications systems play an important in this respect. Asset condition and maintenance faults also contribute to manual authorizations. That is, faulty signalling cables, defective rail, rail washaways or security violations like theft and vandalism of railway assets.

Manual train authorization is an accepted fallback method of train operations during abnormal conditions.

The required information can be obtained from the Operators.

09 December 2021 - NW2501

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

(a) What total number of trains (i) have been manufactured at the Gibela Rail Manufacturing Plant in Ekurhuleni in each month of each year since the opening of the factory and (ii) have been sold and (b) to which countries were the trains sold?

Reply:

a) As at 19 November 2021, a total number of 61 new trains have been manufactured at the local factory in Dunottar. A further 18 new trains were manufactured in Brazil and deliver to PRASA.

(i) The total number of trains that have been manufactured at the Gibela Manufacturing Plant in Ekhurhuleni in each month of each year since the opening of the factory is listed below:

Year

Month

Number of trains manufactured

Total per year

2018

December

1

1

2019

February

1

8

 

March

1

 
 

April

1

 
 

June

1

 
 

September

1

 
 

October

1

 
 

November

1

 
 

December

1

 

2020

January

1

20

 

February

1

 
 

March

2

 
 

July

4

 
 

August

1

 
 

September

3

 
 

October

2

 
 

November

4

 
 

December

2

 

2021

January

2

32

 

February

3

 
 

March

4

 
 

April

2

 
 

May

4

 
 

June

2

 
 

July

4

 
 

August

4

 
 

September

4

 
 

October

2

 
 

November

1

 

(ii) As at 19 November 2021, 51 new trains have been produced at the local factory and delivered to PRASA in terms of the Manufacturing and Supply Agreement entered into between PRASA and Gibela. The delivery of further 10 trains in currently in progress.

b) The Gibela Factory currently only manufactures trains for PRASA in terms of a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement.

09 December 2021 - NW2543

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

With reference to the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme and taxis returned and scrapped under the programme, what total number of taxis have been scrapped (a)(i) in each province and (ii) in each month in the past three financial years and (b) to date?

Reply:

(a)(i)(ii) Annual Scrapping Statistics – Financial Year 2018/19:

Province

Apr 18

May 18

Jun 18

Jul 18

TOTAL

Eastern Cape

5

30

34

57

126

Free State

3

7

14

5

29

Gauteng

4

23

51

75

153

KwaZulu-Natal

18

25

56

54

153

Limpopo

-

11

15

6

32

Mpumulanga

2

10

30

7

49

Northern Cape

-

-

2

-

2

North West

-

10

21

13

44

Western Cape

14

29

34

101

178

TOTAL

46

145

257

318

766

Note: Vehicles were scrapped for a 4 month period (April – July 2018) only in this financial year as the previous TRP contract ended in September 2018.

 

(a)(i) Annual Scrapping Statistics – Financial Year 2019/20:

Province

May 19

Jun 19

Jul 19

Aug 19

Sep 19

Oct 19

Nov 19

Dec 19

Jan 20

Feb 20

Mar 20

TOTAL

Eastern Cape

-

-

-

-

12

34

16

39

95

30

55

281

Free State

-

-

-

-

14

2

19

11

11

5

3

65

Gauteng

18

22

37

22

34

50

71

64

68

22

49

457

KwaZulu-Natal

-

19

47

30

30

51

28

59

81

53

63

461

Limpopo

-

-

-

12

1

21

18

60

14

24

15

165

Mpumulanga

-

-

-

-

3

8

37

21

9

38

62

178

Northern Cape

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

10

2

1

-

13

North West

-

-

-

4

5

25

27

32

24

13

8

138

Western Cape

-

-

-

-

10

36

24

49

22

19

25

185

TOTAL

18

41

84

68

109

227

240

345

326

205

280

1 943

Note: New RTRP contract concluded on 13 March 2019 with actual scrapping of vehicles only commencing in May 2019 on a staggered site establishment approach.

(a)(i)(ii) Annual Scrapping Statistics – Financial Year 2020/21:

Province

Apr 20

May 20

Jun 20

Jul 20

Aug 20

Sep 20

Oct 20

Nov 20

Dec 20

Jan 21

Feb 21

Mar 21

TOTAL

Eastern Cape

 

 

32

32

9

24

32

17

21

18

32

17

234

Free State

 

 

6

16

-

8

2

1

8

1

-

8

50

Gauteng

 

 

21

29

15

88

31

78

34

-

58

62

416

KwaZulu-Natal

 

 

39

27

37

54

61

58

63

39

70

104

552

Limpopo

 

 

1

20

18

8

5

8

5

5

6

3

79

Mpumulanga

 

 

19

29

33

21

16

15

18

9

17

9

186

Northern Cape

 

 

2

-

3

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

6

North West

 

 

4

-

7

6

6

-

4

9

1

10

47

Western Cape

 

 

16

17

18

41

16

23

47

11

36

9

234

TOTAL

-

-

140

170

140

250

170

200

200

92

220

222

1 804

Note: There was no scrapping of vehicles during April and May 2020 due to the hard lockdown imposed during COVID.

  1. Annual Scrapping Statistics – Current Financial Year 2021/22 to date:

Province

Apr 21

May 21

Jun 21

Jul 21

Aug 21

Sep 21

Oct 21

Nov 21

TOTAL

Eastern Cape

26

26

20

7

29

29

63

49

249

Free State

3

6

9

10

13

8

2

16

67

Gauteng

30

63

26

9

50

23

20

33

254

KwaZulu-Natal

-

113

3

75

40

113

7

55

406

Limpopo

8

6

4

4

9

7

10

4

52

Mpumulanga

8

-

23

17

18

10

7

13

96

Northern Cape

5

3

10

-

6

3

6

-

33

North West

-

-

1

-

1

-

1

-

3

Western Cape

9

28

24

9

22

27

43

31

193

TOTAL

89

245

120

131

188

220

159

201

1 353

09 December 2021 - NW2609

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)What (a) number of municipalities are in arrears on motor vehicle license fees payable to his department and (b) amount does each municipality owe; (2) what number of municipalities are (a) having licence paper withheld as a result of outstanding monies and (b) at risk of losing their agencies as a result of outstanding monies; (3) what other measures will be taken against the defaulting municipalities?

Reply:

Question 1: What (a) number of municipalities are in arrears on motor vehicle license fees payable to his department and (b) amount does each municipality owe;

Response:

A) The national department of transport is not responsible for the collection of licence fees, it is the provincial departments of transport that are responsible for the collection of the licence fees.

It is worth noting that the DLCA only withhold driving licence cards for DLTCs that have been in arrears for more than 90 days without entering into or honouring the payment arrangement. As at 1 November 2021, the DLCA withheld cards for 9 DLTCs that are in arrears for more than 90 days. Refer to the Age analysis below.

Name

120+ Days

90 Days

Category : 2 - KWAZULU-NATAL

   

Estcourt/Wembezi DLTC

R -

R 20,372.54

Eshowe DLTC

R -

R 22,199.00

     

Category : 3 - EASTERN CAPE

   

Komga DLTC - Great Kei Municipality

R 190.94

R 12,878.11

     

Category : 4 - WESTERN CAPE

   

Eastridge / Mitchells Plain DLTC

R -

R 2,942.00

Riversdale DLTC (incl.1067)

R -

R 8,096.50

     

Category : 7 - NORTHWEST

   

Ventersdorp DLTC/ JB Marks Mun

R 15,326.00

R -

Wolmaranstad Reg Auth

R 13,750.17

R 0.48

     

Category : 9 - NORTHERN CAPE

   

Upington DLTC / Khara Hais

R -

R 37,213.27

Springbok DLTC Nama Khoi

R 15,465.15

R 24,411.00

Furthermore, the following process is followed before cards are withheld:

  1. 30 days outstanding - The DLCA will telephonically liaise with DLTCs that are owing invoices for more than 30 days which a view of trying to obtain results for late payment.
  2. 60 days outstanding - Reminder letters are sent to remind DLTCs that their invoices are outstanding for more than 60 days and must come up with a payment plan to address the debt owing with is in line with the DLCA policies.
  3. 90 days outstanding - When no feedback is received from the above steps, DLCA will then resolve to withhold cards until we have an active payment plan or the amount owing is paid in full.
  4. 120 days outstanding - interest is charged on all invoices that have been outstanding for than 120 days.

B) This question is no more relevant, kindly be referred to the 1A above.

Question 2: What number of municipalities are (a) having licence paper withheld as a result of outstanding monies and (b) at risk of losing their agencies as a result of outstanding monies;

  1. The National Department of Transport is not responsible for withholding of the licence paper, however it is worth noting that municipalities themselves procure the face value documents directly from the GPW OR alternatively from the provincial department of transport.
  2. The national department of transport does not enter into any agency agreement with municipalities for that reason the department is not aware of any risk where municipalities are losing their agencies.

Question 3: What other measures will be taken against the defaulting municipalities?

The national department of transport cannot take any measures against the defaulting municipalities because of the explanation furnished at the 1A and 1B above.

The action to be taken is contained within agency agreements concluded by provinces and their agents and the decision to act is the sole prerogative of the province concerned as custodian of the function of vehicle and driving licences.

09 December 2021 - NW2666

Profile picture: Sithole, Mr KP

Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport

Given the mass movement of persons during the election campaigns in the period 1 September 2021 to 1 November 2021, what (a) additional measures were put in place to ensure that social distancing and the relevant COVID-19 protocols were adhered on all forms of transportation, (b) support was given to the public in relation to personal protective equipment in taxis, trains and buses and (c) was the success rate of each measure put in place?

Reply:

a) PRASA started to provide services under COVID-19 on the 01 July 2020 operating under difficult conditions of stolen and vandalised rail network infrastructure while operating limited services to ensure that staff is familiar with the handling of customers under the Covid-19 conditions. Limited services were introduced, and the limited number of stations were identified for the stoppage of trains to avoid overcrowding. Measurers were put in place to mitigate the spread of the pandemic in all modes of transport.

However, there were no additional measures put in place during the period from 1 September 2021 to 1 November 2021 across all modes.

b) No Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was provided to the public and passengers on taxis, trains and buses over this period. A number of municipalities provided PPEs and sanitisers to public transport operators before this period.

c) Because there were no additional measures introduced for the said period, the success rate was not measured.

25 November 2021 - NW2374

Profile picture: Madlingozi, Mr BS

Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

What steps has he taken to alleviate the plight of the creative sector, who have engaged with the offices of his department repeatedly, trying to meet with officials in order to resolve the longstanding challenges faced by this sector in the republic?

Reply:

The officials from the department are engaging the creatives through various meetings, with the latest having been held on the Monday 22nd November 2021.

19 November 2021 - NW1778

Profile picture: Mey, Mr P

Mey, Mr P to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)Whether, with reference to the settlement of the class action on 11 December 2019 between Transnet and the Transnet pensioners who are members of two pension funds, namely the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund and the Transport Pension Fund, he has been informed that in spite of the implementation of the specified settlement in 2020, it has still not been implemented for members of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa Sub Fund, notwithstanding a court order (details furnished) to the effect; if so, (a) what is the reason for this and (b) by what date will the delay be addressed, with an indication of the necessary deadlines in order to prevent legal action from being taken against his department for disregarding the specified court order; if not, (2) whether he will soon take steps to determine the reasons for the delays and how to address them, with an indication of the necessary deadlines in order to prevent legal action from being taken against his department for disregarding the specified court order; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1. (a) The court order has not yet been implemented. This court order will be

implemented by the PRASA Sub Fund of the Transport Pension Fund upon the approval of the Fund Rule amendments this implies.

“In terms of the Transnet Pension Fund Act (Act 62 of 1990 as amended), the responsibility to approve amendments to the Special Rules of the PRASA Sub Fund of the Transport Pension Fund rests with the Minister of Public Enterprises with concurrence by the Minister of Finance. The relevant proposed amendments to the Special Rules of the PRASA Sub Fund is currently receiving attention by the Minister of Public enterprise.”

(b) In terms of PRASA protocol, all rule amendments for the pension funds are channelled through Transnet. The proposed amendments to the PRASA Special Rules were circulated to the Office of the Transnet Chief Financial Officer on 12 April 2021.

2. Regular follow ups have been made with Transnet and the matter will now be escalated to the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) for intervention as the submissions were made in April 2021 already.

3. I will not be making any statement on the matter.

19 November 2021 - NW1843

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)Whether he will furnish Mrs M O Clarke with (a) a maintenance schedule for the properties of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in terms of (i) cutting the grass, (ii) picking up litter and (iii) the maintenance of fences and (b) a schedule and plan on how Transnet and Prasa plan to secure residents of Transnet and Prasa railway properties against crime; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; 2) on what date will the missing fences around the specified properties be replaced?

Reply:

1. (a) (i & ii) A schedule for grass cutting and cleaning at Station and Workplace

facilities is on a periodic basis as reflected in table 1 below. The grass cutting service is included as one of those performed by the contractors as PRASA does not appoint a contractor for one specific service but covers a range of services included in the table below.

AREA

TASK SPECIFICATION

FREQUENCY

 

Waste Collection and Disposal

Empty and clean all waste baskets, receptacles

Continuously

   

Remove all waste to a specified and designated area

Continuously

Platforms &

Railway tracks

 

 

 

 

 

Platform areas

 

Sweep platforms

daily

   

Remove papers and other foreign objects

Continuously

 

 

Sweep the railway tracks.

Every three months

 

Railway tracks. Note: Commuters work under protection on tracks and only during the off-peak)

Remove papers and other foreign objects – Clean the railway tracks up to 200m beyond the edges of both sides of the platforms

daily

 

Grass and weeds

Remove Grass and Weed

Weekly

Table 1: Schedule for grass cutting and cleaning at Station and Workplace facilities

(iii) After the unprecedented levels of vandalism and theft of assets, PRASA’s strategy to maintain fences at station level includes putting in place 3 years fencing maintenance contracts which will attend to all maintenance issues related to fencing.

These will support the stations which are due to receive improvements under the National Station Improvement Programme (NSIP) and the Alternative Building Technology (ABT) Projects. Stations earmarked to receive improvements are in the 12 priority corridors.

The tenders for these programmes have been advertised on various platforms such as eTender. These will then be evaluated and awarded to successful bidders for execution and are due to be completed before end of March 2022.

The purpose of these projects is to restore functionality at stations which includes the repairs or replacement of fences, painting of platform lines, lighting, provision of water and working toilets, ticket offices among other functional requirements.

(b) Security is not deployed at leased houses. The few that are not leased we do checks on these properties on the routes by security. Limited security is however deployed at commercial buildings that are not leased. The deployment will increase over the next month as it forms part of our total security deployment plan and intervention which will have a total of 4500 extra security guards excluding our internal guards, totalling 7000 people on the ground covering PRASA assets and infrastructure.

2. The 3 years fencing maintenance contracts will then be used to maintain these newly restored fences. The tenders for the three (3) years fencing maintenance contracts will be advertised before end of the financial year.

07 October 2021 - NW1842

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Transport

(1) What are the details of the (a) national and provincial departments involved in the Tambo Springs Logistics Gateway project in Ekurhuleni, (b) budgets (i) allocated and (ii) spent by the national and provincial departments to the specified project and (c) duration of the specified contract; (2) what (a) company was awarded the tender and (b) was the monetary value of the tender; (3) (a) what are the full relevant details of Transnet’s involvement in the contract and (b) how does Transnet anticipate to get rail to the Tambo Springs Logistics Gateway; (4) what total amount has (a) his department and (b) Transnet spent on the court cases regarding the roads designs and environmental impact assessments of the project to date?

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet:

(1)(a) Not applicable to Transnet.

(1)(b)(i) and (ii) Not applicable to Transnet.

(1)(c) The concession was a 20 year concession for the Design, Build, Financing, Operating and Maintenance of Private Rail Terminal.

(2)(a) Southern Palace Joint Venture was awarded the tender. The Joint Venture company comprised of Southern Palace Group, Ferrovie stat o del Italia, Makoya Logistics.

(2)(b) The estimated capital investment into the terminal was R1.8bn

(3)(a) Transnet issued a Request for Proposal (CRAC-KGG-21543) for the development of a Private Rail Terminal at the Tambo Springs Logistics Gateway. Transnet was to acquire the required land for the Terminal and was responsible for the Bulk services and the Arrival and Departure yard investment. The concessionaire was responsible for the Design, Build, Financing, Operation and Maintenance of the terminal for 20 years. The Concessionaire was unable to provide the financial guarantees to proceed with the project as required by the RFP and bid award and the concession was cancelled. The transaction is under investigation by the Special Investigation Unit.

Subsequent to the award, the Concession was withdrawn and cancelled by Transnet as the Concessionaire failed to provide the required bidder guarantees.

(3)(b) The terminal would have been positioned adjacent to a section of the existing Gauteng Freight Ring rail infrastructure. No additional rail infrastructure was required

(4) (a) Not Applicable to Transnet

(4) (b) Transnet has not incurred any cost relating to court cases related to the road designs and environmental impact assessments.

04 October 2021 - NW2108

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 687 on 3 April 2019, his department has withheld any transfers; if not, why not; if so, (a) what amount has been withheld, (b) from what date were transfers withheld and (c) what are the further relevant details?

Reply:

a) There were no transfers that were withheld, in the 2018/2019 financial year for the municipality.

b) Not Applicable.

c) Even though transfers were not withheld, a portion of the Public Transport Network Grants (PTNG) Allocations was stopped, in terms of the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA) section 19, in order to mitigate and reduce the municipality’s low expenditure trajectory.

An amount totalling R90 million was effectively stopped, made up of an initial R48,5 million identified by National Treasury and Department of Transport as part of the expenditure review. An additional R41,5 million was volunteered by the municipality.

The municipality’s original PTNG allocation amounting to R694,6 million was reduced to R604,6 million.

The stopped R90 million allocation was subsequently reallocated, in terms of DoRA section 20, to other municipalities within the PTNG programme, based on their capacity to absorb further allocations.