Reply:

(1) (a) The details are part of the report.

(b) The report on the matter was concluded on the 31 March 2023. The report was submitted by the Board of Control of PRASA to the Minister of Transport for consideration. Based on the findings of the report the Chairperson was released of his responsibilities as the Chair of the Board.

(2) Mr. Ramatlakane, vacated the house on 15 March 2023, in line with the short-term lease. The house in question is owned by PRASA and is one of many others in the portfolio, which is leased out to tenants as part of the PRASA’s secondary mandate to generate revenue out of its assets. As already mentioned above, a proposal on the future use (internal or external consumption of the asset) has been prepared and will serve at the various committees within PRASA for approval to ensure the secondary mandate is achieved.

Reply:

a)  (i)The court ruled in favour of PRASA in the High Court (Gauteng Division) case number 14332/18 and declared the Siyangena Technologies contract unlawful and irregular. Siyangena Technologies proceeded to launch an appeal application in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) under case number 487/2021. The SCA confirmed the High Court decision and thereby ruling in favour of PRASA.

(ii) Refer to (i) above.

b) The Superior Courts Act, 2013 provides that an application for leave to appeal, or an appeal, suspends the operation and execution of a decision, pending the outcome of the application or appeal. Consequently, a court order cannot be executed until the appeal proceedings are determined.

c) Siyangena Technologies has launched an application for leave to appeal the SCA judgment in the Constitutional Court. Siyangena Technologies has launched an application for leave to appeal the SCA judgment in the Constitutional Court and PRASA is awaiting judgment in that regard. The judgement from the Constitutional Court dismissed Siyangena’s leave to appeal the SCA judgement which in favour of PRASA. The Con Court further awarded costs in favour of PRASA. The parties (Siyangena and PRASA) must now appoint an engineer within 30 days of the judgement in order to determine the value of the works as per the judgement.

Reply:

(a) In terms of the Legal Succession Act No. 38 of 2008 establishing the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, section 23(2) states that, “the second object and the secondary business of the Corporation (“PRASA”) is to generate income from the exploitation of the assets acquired by it”.

Subsection 3 states that, “In carrying out its objects and business, the Corporation shall have due regard to key government social, economic and transport policy objectives.

The Department of Transport and PRASA are not a custodian of housing delivery, however, in the context underpinned by the principles of cooperative government and intergovernmental relations, the entity has a duty to ensure that the goals and objectives of the Department of Human Settlement are supported and promoted. Therefore, PRASA made available land located near areas of economic activity for construction of decent and affordable housing opportunities with easy access to public transport services and social amenities.

Through an open tender land-release programme (National Station Precinct Development Programme), PRASA awarded development rights to a non-profit Social Housing Institution (“SHI”) to develop and manage the top structure rental stock in line with the Social Housing Regulatory Authority terms and conditions.

Therefore, the Social Housing units at Goodwood Station (in Cape Town) will be allocated by the Social Housing Institute directly to deserving beneficiaries. In order to qualify for this rental subsidy, rightful beneficiaries need to earn a gross monthly income between R1,850 and R22,000, and must:

• Be South African citizen or have a permanent residency permit.
• Be 18 years or older.
• married or living with a partner.
• May be single or divorced and have proven financial dependants permanently living together.

(b) The Department of Transport also supports an anonymous tip-off call centre established by the Human Settlement Department in collaboration Social Housing Regulatory Authority for anyone who wish to report any suspicion of fraud, corruption, bribery etc. The contact number is 0800 111 670 or [email protected].

Reply:

The Department is currently implementation , busy with the Rail Policy which is geared at dealing with the provision of rail services across the country. The Policy is founded on the principle of the modal shift of rail-friendly cargo from road to rail and the need to revitalise the railways to supply a range of industrial supply-chain logistics services.

The ultimate objective being to upgrade the existing and future rolling stock to ensure that they are better utilised and more volume of cargo moves from road to rail and the resultant reduction of haulage of bulk commodities by road transport. We have started with stringent law enforcements on hazardous chemical cargo to be completely on rail.

Currently there are law enforcement teams at strategic positions to ensure that truck drivers obey the rules and laws of the roads, These Provincial Law enforcement teams have been augmented by National Traffic Police under RTMC, and is yielding good results. The Department of Public Enterprises and Transnet are responsible for freight rail in SA.

Reply:

Yes, the then Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula, established a Road Freight and Logistics Task Team (Task Team) to serve as a conduit to the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) and it comprises all stakeholders within the road freight industry, the Departments of Transport, DHA, DEL, SAPS and DIRCO. Trucking Association of South Africa (TASA) is also a member.

At a meeting held on 22 June 2022 with some of the Ministers constituting the IMC wherein a media briefing was held where three documents were signed and they are

(i) The terms of Reference;

(ii) An implementation Plan; and

(iii) A pact.

were signed by the RFL stakeholders and some of the Departments in attendance.

The Task Team was formally established with a maximum of 2 representatives from each organisation,

The Task Team is hosted by the Department and its meets on a monthly basis wherein progress is monitored and evaluated on the activities of the outlined in the Implementation Plan.

Reply:

1. Attending to challenges relating to the operations of any entity falls within the ambit of the fiduciary duties of the Board. The Board then accounts to the Minister n line with the Shareholder compact, quarterly reports on performance amongst other. The Minister can therefore not meet with management of the C-BRTA on operational challenges, this is the duty of the Board. However, if there are such challenges, the Board has an obligation to investigate these and report to the Minister. Such a report will also be disclosed in the Annual Report of the entity that will be tabled in Parliament.

2. I have been advised that the C-BRTA has lost one labour arbitration case recently, and the Agency is studying the judgement in order to make a determination on the course of action. Performance and other career incidents of the Chief Executive Officer are the responsibility of the Board.

Reply:

There are no official designated parking spots for truck and/or heavy duty vehicles provided by SANRAL and the Provincial or Municipal Road Authorities. These are generally are located away from the Road Reserve at private trucks stops/service stations. As part of implementation of the Road Freight Strategy, research will be commissioned to identify the needs of road freight for parking and handling space on corridors and in urban areas.

However, truck stop are located in all the National Freight Corridors as well as the parallel provincial corridors in accordance to the traffic volumes on the corridors.

Corridor	Corridor Name
N1 South	Gauteng – Cape Town
N1 North	Gauteng – Beit bridge
N2 South	Cape Town - Durban
N2 Central	East London – Durban
N3	Gauteng - Durban
N4 West	Gauteng - Skilpadshek
N4 East	Gauteng - Lebombo
N5	Harrismith - Winburg
N6	East London – Bloemfontein
N7	Cape Town – Viooldrift
N8	Bloemfontein - Maseru
N9	George - Colesburg
N10	Britstown - Nakop
N11	Ladysmith – Groblersbrug
N12	Gauteng – Beaufort West
N14	Gauteng Springbok
N17	Gauteng - Oshoek

Reply:

a) No other PRASA Board members, except for Mr. Ramatlakane have resided in/leased any PRASA properties.

b) Mr. Ramatlakane leased the house in Newlands for a 3-month period, from 15 December 2022 to 15 March 2023.

c) The lease agreement entered into with Mr. Ramatlakane was based on standard terms and conditions, signed with all external parties when residential properties are leased out to the market.

d) The application of Mr. Ramatlakane emanated from a basis that he required short term accommodation whilst his private residence was being renovated.

Reply:

(a)(i) The following numbers of employees were suspended in the months indicated below:

2021/2022

MONTH	(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)	(v)	(vi)
April 2021	3	R19 445 569,25	Procurement-related irregularities	Case 1: Matter awaiting outcome of arbitration at CCMA.	No acting incumbent	N/A
				Case 2: Disciplinary hearing postponed sine die pending a legal opinion.	No acting incumbent
				Case 3: Hearing continued in June 2023.	No acting incumbent
August 2021	1	R3 267 486,60	Gross negligence	Hearing pending due to unavailability of witness from SCM	Person Acting
January 2022	2	R4 768 846,14	Case1: Unfair disqualification of bidder who scored the highest points resulting in an incorrect award.	Employee found guilty on all charges on 12 May 2023. Awaiting date from Chairperson for evidence in mitigation and aggravation.	No acting incumbent
			Case2: Gross Negligence, Gross Deereliction of Duty	Charges finalised , hearing date 16-01-2023	Acting incumbent
February 2022	2	R6 440 994,70	Case 1: Dereliction of duty; dishonesty Case 2: Gross misconduct, contravening PFMA and breaching company policy	Case 1: Forensic investigation is yet to be undertaken.	No acting incumbent
				Case 2: Awaiting dates for continuation of hearing.	No acting incumbent
March 2022	1	R453 000,00	Threatening behaviour, inciting violence and false allegations	Suspension has been extended. Employee charged - pending disciplinary hearing. Hearing scheduled 13-14 March 2023.	No acting incumbent	N/A
2022/2023 FINANCIAL YEAR
June 2022	1	R1 636 690,00	Contrevenion of Recruit/Selection policy	Investigation finalised Line to advise on way forward	Acting incumbent
July 2022	1	R2 001 725,80	Misconduct	Employee being engaged for mutual separation	Acting incumbent
August 2022	1	R345 792,44	Gross misconduct	Investigation in progress	Acting incumbent	R26712.98
September 2022	2	R2 168 423,00	Case 1: Investigation ongoing	Attorneys in process of drafting charges for new evidence submitted	No acting incumbent	N/A
			Case 2: Investigation ongoing	RFQ for forensic investigation to be finalised	No acting incumbent	N/A
October 2022	4	R2 977 716,96	Case1: under investigation	Forensic investigation in progress	Person appointed on fixed term contract
			Case2: Insubordination and gross misconduct	Matter was held on 31 March 2023 and awaiting new date from the Chairperson	No acting incumbent	N/A
			Case3: Misconduct	Investigation ongoing awaiting report	No acting incumbent	N/A
			Case4: Misuse of Company Vehicle	Disciplinary finalized awaiting verdict	No acting incumbent	N/A
November 2022	3	R1 897 216,50	Case1: Gross negligence and insubordination	Closing arguments were made on 21 April 2023. Awaiting Chairperson's ruling.	Acting incumbent
			Case2: Charges to be confirmed	Awaiting final investigation report from Protection Services.	Acting incumbent
			Case3: Theft of identity	Pending - Awaiting appointment of initiator	No acting incumbent
2023 CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE
February 2023	3	R157 031,28	Fraud, theft and gross dishonesty	Hearing was held on 30 May 2023. Plea bargain was entered into. Employer revoked the plea bargain and aggravated for dismissal. Awaiting employees to resubmit mitigating evidence.	No acting incumbent
			Fraud, theft and gross dishonesty	Hearing was held on 30 May 2023. Plea bargain was entered into. Employer revoked the plea bargain and aggravated for dismissal. Awaiting employees to resubmit mitigating evidence.	No acting incumbent
			Fraud, theft and gross dishonesty	Hearing was held on 30 May 2023. Plea bargain was entered into. Employer revoked the plea bargain and aggravated for dismissal. Awaiting employees to resubmit mitigating evidence.	No acting incumbent
March 2023	5	R155 030,38	Absence without leave	Employee was served with suspension letter on 24 March 2023 pending investigation
			Assault	Awaiting investigation report
			Serious Misconduct	Investigations is being carried out. Pending the outcome of investigations
			Theft	Employee charged criminally, out on bail.
			Theft	Employee charged criminally, out on bail.

Reply:

South Africa has a total road network of 750 000 km. The responsibility for building and maintaining the network is shared amongst SANRAL, Provincial and (Municipalities) Local government authorities.

(a) 159 272 Paved Network within the Republic 21% and 590728 gravel road 21%.

(b) Government to address funding requirements, the Department, together with SANRAL and CSIR are leading the use/piloting of the Nano-Technology based product to be showcased in KZN on 29 June 2023 to demonstrate the use of traditionally available stabilizing agents such as bitumen emulsions at much lower application rates, achieving improved strength characteristics and more water-resistant layers on gravel roads at lower unit costs. The nano-technology based product/material has potential to reduce surfacing costs by >50%. We are also embarking on a process that includes the transfer of the strategic roads by Provinces to SANRAL heighted operation Vala Zonke

Reply:

a) In May 2023, PRASA completed Phase three of the procurement of security guards to protect identified high security risk areas and hotspots, an intervention, which has resulted in a noticeable decline in the theft of guard rails and overall crime incidents.(e,g) 4670 in 2017-2018 and 958 in 2022-2023.

PRASA also: (i) conducts regular joint crime operations, with the law enforcement agencies led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) targeting steel recyclers, an initiative, which is starting to yield positive results, (ii) is exploring alternative engineering solutions to reinforce vulnerable items along the railway network and (iii) attends the quarterly National Non Ferrous Metal Crime Combatting Committee (NFMCCC) and the National Rail Crime Combatting Forum (NRCCF) with the SAPS, to discuss national crime pattern analysis, crime threat analysis and formulate action plans.

b) Stolen guard rails/other assets are replaced almost immediately.

Reply:

Section 49 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 deals with the duties of the operator and provides as follows:

49 Duties of operator

The operator of a motor vehicle shall­

1. notify the registering authority concerned within seven days of any change in the circumstances in relation to his or her registration as the operator of such vehicle and return the operator card in respect of that motor vehicle to that registering authority;
2. keep safe and protect from theft an operator card issued to him or her and, if any such card is lost, stolen or destroyed, he or she shall notify the nearest police station within 24 hours and the registering authority within whose area the holder is ordinarily resident within seven days after having become aware of such loss, theft or destruction or after it could reasonably be expected that he or she should have been aware of such loss, theft or destruction, whichever event occurred first;
3. exercise proper control over the driver of such motor vehicle to ensure the compliance by such driver with all the relevant provisions of this Act, in particular the provisions regarding­
   1. the requirements in respect of the professional driving permit referred to in section 32; and
   2. the loading of such vehicle as prescribed by or under this Act;
4. ensure that such motor vehicle complies with the fitness requirements contemplated in Chapter V;
5. conduct his or her operations with due care to the safety of the public;
6. if dangerous goods or substances are conveyed, ensure that all requirements for the conveyance of such goods or substances, as prescribed in­
   1. any other law in relation to such goods or substances; and
   2. this Act, are complied with; and
7. take all reasonable measures to ensure that such motor vehicle is operated on a public road in compliance with the provisions for the loading and transportation of goods as prescribed by or under this Act. (my emphasis)

When traffic officials issue citations for transgressions of the above they are also expected to issue one for the operator.

As part of their Road Safety programme, the RAF has embarked on a Road Safety Wellness programme where attention is directed towards the safety of long-distance drivers, i.e. busses, taxis and trucks. They have a bus in which a nurse and an optometrist on board assist in checking for vitals like blood pressure and if there is a medical problem with the driver the nurse will prepare a letter referring them to the nearest clinic whereas, in the case of eyesight, the optometrist will prescribe glasses at no charge.

Reply:

 

1. What number of properties does PRASA own:

N/A

1. Which properties have been

1. Purchased

In the period in question PRASA has not acquired any Properties however in pursued of the Secondary Mandate for Revenue Generation, we acquired mainly Commercial Properties out of our Development Leases.

1. Sold in each month

It is not PRASA’s strategy to sell property and only one property (vacant land) has been sold in the period in question, February 2023 for an amount of R18m, known as Remainder of Erf 79204 And Erf 79208 Diep River, Cape Town

This was a portion of land next to Diepriver station that will be developed into upmarket residential units by a 3rd party, Itakane Developers and as the scheme is based on sectional title sales of the unit, the sale of the property was approve in terms of PRASA Asset Disposal Policy and approval in terms of Section 54 of the PFMA.

1. What was the value of each property purchased

In the context of the Properties, there is no value attached as nothing has been purchased over the past years.

1. What was the sale price of each property

In the context of the Properties, there is only one property sold at R18m

1. Which properties were upgraded, maintained and/or renovated in each month

There were no Residential Units that were Maintained, upgraded or Renovated over the last three years safe for the property situated at No 18 Mill Street, Newlands, Cape Town (Guest House).

The property was upgraded for a specialised purpose of Generating Revenue

1. Who resides in the specified properties

The commercial components of both portfolios are occupied by private tenants on commercial basis mainly as retail activities being conducted and for office usage.

The Residential Component of the portfolio (378 leases) are mainly occupied by private residents and about 43 residential properties by PRASA staff with relationships strictly on commercial terms.

We have herewith attached a separate Listing of the occupiers of the Residential Properties that are active in our Property Management System. See the Excel Sheet attached.

1. What are the lease arrangements and terms and conditions with regard to each property

The Residential Leases are all completed individually in terms of our leasing procedures with each respective tenant using the Residential, Lease Contract Template.

 

The lease arrangements on all the occupiers of the PRASA’s portfolios are on commercial terms.

This comprises of the description of the Property and its Extent including the Area as well as any pertinent components of the property like the tenure of the contract.

The agreement also describes the Tenants being charged Market Related Rentals and Escalations.

Rentals valuations are conducted by appointed qualified Real Estate Valuers to determine the applicable market rates.

Monthly Rentals are charged on all approved tenants in occupation of the PRASA properties.

Recoveries are also charged as additional billings in respect to the Electricity and water usages where meters are installed.

Conditions of the Properties are listed in the contract after every pre-occupation and pre-vacation assessment processes.

The Tenants Obligations as well as PRASA Obligations in terms of the Maintenance of the Property will also be clearly indicated in the lease agreements.

Reply:

1. Integrated Public Transport Networks are operational in 8 municipalities, four metropolitan and four local municipalities. The effectiveness of the IPTN systems is measured based on the following operational indicators: operational hours, peak and off-peak frequencies, number of average weekday passengers’ trips, and number and percentage of municipal households within 500 meters walk to an IPTN station or stop.

The above indicators will differ per city. Generally, cities are operating services ranging from 15 to 19 hours per day, with peak frequencies of 5- 20 minutes and off-peak frequencies of 20-30 minutes. In 2022/23 a cumulative total of 555 990 average weekday passenger trips, compared to 399 260 in the previous year across all municipalities. All systems are designed to achieve 500-meter walk to an IPTN station or stop. In addition, these services are universally accessible to all passengers.

1. Members of the public rely on Integrated Public Transport Network systems that include Bus Rapid Transit as well as Quality Bus services, as well as additional public transport services such as rail, bus and taxis, and walking and cycling in their areas.

Reply:

 

The Department published the White Paper on National Public Transport Policy, 2021 which commits that all forms of transport services will become “accessible to all”, (i.e universally accessible); including people with disabilities, all over the country. (Page 4).

The White Paper applies to all forms of transport services; road-based public transport, cycling and walking, rail, aviation and maritime. The implementation of this part of the White Paper requires coordination across the provinces and the State-owned Entities of the Department. The Transport Sector Transformation Forum meets quarterly, and progress on universally accessible transport is reported in this forum.

In road-based public transport services specifically, since 2010, ten municipalities have developed a universal design access plan (UDAP) to implement universally accessible transport systems in Integrated Public Transport Networks (IPTNS), using the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG). In these ten municipalities new public transport vehicles have to be universally designed, to accommodate wheelchairs, people with other disabilities, passengers accompanying children, elderly people and women.

All ten municipalities report annually on the implementation of their UDAP, which includes all aspects of the travel chain, not vehicles alone. The implementation of the UDAP is part of the operational plan of the new public transport system within an IPTN. Where any form of transport in an IPTN is not accessible, passengers are able to register a complaint. Under the National Land Transport Act section 18(5) this complaint must be remedied.

Reply:

• 1. Provinces are managing operations between all taxi services in the different provinces and that involves the relations between the taxi drivers and Uber drivers. Where there are violent tensions between the taxi service operators, the provinces intervene and involve the law enforcement authorities as those would be criminal matters.

• 1. It is prudent to mentioned that my predecessors have had a number of engagements with the taxi industry stakeholders to quell the violence and conflict that exist in this industry. That is, the Department had several meetings with taxi operators, e-hailing drivers and App companies (i.e. Uber and Bolt) as follows:
     1. The Department (the then Minister of Transport, Mr Maswanganyi) met the Minister of Police (Mr Fikile Mbalula) to discuss the taxi violence and thereafter convened a meeting with e-hailing drivers, App companies and metered taxi operators on 28 July 2017, Centurion;
     2. Then, the Department met with operators and provincial Department of Transport in Sandton, Gautrain Station, to deal with the violence that occured there;
     3. Former Ministers (Mr Blade Nzimande and Mr Fikile Mbalula) engaged affected stakeholders including cities and SANTACO. Then, the National Task Team (NTT) comprising of SANTACO, Metered Taxis, App companies and e-hailing drivers was established. The NTT had several meetings to deal with the matter at hand; and
     4. The Minister issued a media statement to denounce acts of taxi violence which transpired in the vicinity of the Maponya Mall, Soweto on Friday, 02 June 2023. In no distant future, the Department will, once more, engage the affected stakeholders to serious implore all stakeholders to desist from doing the violent act and co-exist for the beneficial of passengers.

3.2 The National Land Transport (NLT) Amendment Bill has been passed by the National Assembly and it is undergoing the National Council of Provinces processes. Once signed into law by the President, the Department will introduce the regulations to regulate the e-hailing services to bring into effect the level playing field. This process has been started and it is undertaken in parallel to the process of the NLT Amendment Bill.

3.3 A declaration was signed during the National Taxi Lekgotla, where the taxi industry and all other stakeholders rejected violence and pledged to work with government to ensure that peace and stability prevails within the taxi industry sector.

Reply:

The Department can confirm that the road D2953 is a provincial road under the management of the Mpumalanga province.

As the honourable member may be aware of the separation of powers and responsibility on road (provincial roads) as exclusive functions of the province, the Department does not have plans and is not in any plans to rehabilitate 4.5km of road D2953. The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works and Roads is however carrying out maintenance of the road such as pothole patching and routine maintenance to keep the road safe and usable.

1. Not applicable
2. (i) Not applicable
3. Not applicable

Reply:

Department

a)(i) The Department procured the following estimated percentage from small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, for both tender and quote processes:

(aa) 2021-22: 19% of all procurement;

(bb) Since Apr 2023: 25% of all procurement.

In response to (a)(ii) to (iv), please note that PPPFA Regulations 2017 and other National Treasury procurement rules and regulations did not allow for set asides. In terms of the PPPFA Regulations 2017, preference was given in terms of BBBEE status. Service providers also were not required to provide information regarding cooperatives and whether they were rural or township enterprises.

The PPPFA Regulations of 2022, with effect from 16 January 2023, allow Department’s to develop their own goals.

As the Department of Transport our policy includes promoting rural enterprises, as and when the Department procures for events in rural/township areas. Rural and township enterprises can bid/quote for all requests via standard processes.

Procurement processes and the Central Supplier Database do not prevent any supplier from registering or contracting. However, there is no requirement to provide the requested information, which as such is not recorded by the Department.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Ltd ( ATNS)

(aa) 2021-22 financial year

B-BBEE rating	Number of suppliers	Percentages (%)
Generic	140	26%
i) SMMEs	244	46%
ii) Cooperatives	0	0%
iii) Township enterprises	13	2%
iv) Rural	18	3%
Others (Municipalities, International Suppliers, Landlords, Government Departments, NGO, etc.,	118	23%
Total	533	100%

(bb) since 1 April 2023

B-BBEE rating	Number of suppliers	Percentages (%)
Generic	3	12%
i) SMMEs	20	80%
ii) Cooperatives	0	0%
iii) Township enterprises	1	4%
iv) Rural	1	4%
Total	25	100%

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

 

a) The procurement allocation for the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA):

As per the SACAA approved budget the procurement allocation for goods and services for the following periods amount to:

2021/2022 financial year amounts to R160 100 508

2022/2023 financial year amounts to R212 735 409

Since 1 April 2023 to 30 April 2023 R 18 154 964

b) (i) (aa) (bb) % Allocated to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises

2021/2022 financial year 20%

2022/2023 financial year 20%

Since 1 April 2023 to 30 April 2023 20%

(ii) % Allocated to Cooperatives

No allocation made to cooperatives.

(iii) % Allocated to Township Enterprises

No allocation made to Township Enterprises.

(iv) % Allocated Rural Enterprises

No allocation made to Rural Enterprises

Airports Company South Africa SOC Ltd (ACSA)

The Total Procurement spend for the financial year 2022/23 (from April 2022 to March 2023) was R2 007 856 547. Spend with Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) companies was 73.50% (R1 475 774 562) of total Procurement spend. Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE) and Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME) benefited 25.45% (R375 584 626) and 21.11% (R311 536 010) respectively, both against a target of 20% of total B-BBEE spend. The total spend with 30% or more Women Owned Businesses was 37.08% (R547 217 208) against a target of 20% and 51% Youth Owned businesses spend was 3.81% (R56 227 011) against a target of 10% of total B-BBEE spend.

The targeted Procurement spend for Co-operatives, Township Enterprises and Rural Enterprises was 30% (R602 356 964) of total Procurement spend and 25% (R501 964 137) was achieved. There has not been spend with Rural Enterprises due to the location of our airports. The table below summarises the above statements:

#	DESCRIPTION	TARGET	ACTUAL VALUE OF SPEND	% SPEND	COMMENTS
1.	Total Procurement Spend	Per Budget	R2 007 856 547	100%	As per budget
2.	Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)	80%	R1 475 774 562	73.50%	As a % of Total Procurement Spend
3.	Qualifying Small Enterprises	20%	R375 584 626	25.45%	As a % of B-BBEE spend
4.	Exempted Micro Enterprises	20%	R311 536 010	21.11%	As a % of B-BBEE spend
5.	30% or more Women Owned Businesses	20%	R547 217 208	37.08%	As a % of B-BBEE spend
6.	51% Youth Owned Businesses	10%	R56 227 011	3.81%	As a % of B-BBEE spend
7.	Co-operatives	30%	R100 392 827	5.00%	As a % of Total Procurement Spend
8.	Township Enterprises		R401 571 309	20%
9.	Rural Enterprises		R0.00	0%

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

aa) Below is a split of spend between suppliers that are Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME) and Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE) for the 2021-22 financial year indicating the designated groups.

TOTAL SPEND BREAKDOWN	HDI	GOVERNMENT ENTITIES (Exempted)	OTHER	TOTAL
Mar-22	TOTAL CUMMULATIVE	R596 536 722	R110 383 973	R234 963 706	R941 884 402
		63%	12%	25%	100%

HDI BREAKDOWN	YOUTH	WOMEN	OTHER BLACK OWNED ENTITIES	DISABILITY	TOTAL
Mar-22	TOTAL CUMMULATIVE	R9 231 045	R239 463 796	R346 161 406	R1 680 475	R596 536 722
		2%	40%	58%	0%	100%

TOTAL SPEND BREAKDOWN OF HDI	YOUTH	WOMEN	OTHER BLACK OWNED ENTITIES	DISABILITY	TOTAL HDI SPEND	TOTAL
SMME ANALYSIS	Spend on EME	4 063 106	28 980 709	115 822 136	1 680 475	150 538 775	150 538 775
		1%	5%	19%	0%	16%	25%
	Spend on QSE	4 587 217	48 291 444	70 431 574	7 650	123 310 235	123 310 235
		4%	8%	12%	0%	13%	24%
	Spend on Generic	580 722	162 191 644	159 915 347	0	322 687 712	322 687 712
		0%	27%	27%	0%	54%	54%
	Spend on EME and QSE	8 650 323	77 272 152	186 253 710	1 688 125	273 849 010	273 849 010
		1%	13%	31%	0%	29%	29.07%
29.07% of the Corporation's total spend was towards SMME's

bb) Below is a split of spend between suppliers that are Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME) and Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE) for the month ending 30 April 2023 indicating the designated groups.

TOTAL SPEND BREAKDOWN	HDI	GOVERNMENT ENTITIES (Exempted)	OTHER	TOTAL
Apr-23	TOTAL CUMMULATIVE	R4 927 000	R9 106 081	R1 323 915	R15 356 996
		32%	59%	9%	100%

HDI BREAKDOWN	YOUTH	WOMEN	OTHER BLACK OWNED ENTITIES	DISABILITY	TOTAL
Mar-22	TOTAL CUMMULATIVE	R494 678	R2 590 681	R1 841 641	R0	R4 927 000
		10%	53%	37%	0%	100%

TOTAL SPEND BREAKDOWN OF HDI	YOUTH	WOMEN	OTHER BLACK OWNED ENTITIES	DISABILITY	TOTAL HDI SPEND	TOTAL
SMME ANALYSIS	Spend on EME	4 785	1 124 878	1 053 158	0	2 182 821	2 182 821
		0%	23%	21%	0%	14%	44%
	Spend on QSE	11 600	888 048	514 801	0	1 414 449	1 414 449
		1%	18%	10%	0%	9%	29%
	Spend on Generic	478 293	577 756	273 682	0	1 329 731	1 329 731
		10%	12%	6%	0%	27%	27%
	Spend on EME and QSE	16 385	2 012 925	1 567 959	0	3 597 269	3 597 269
		0%	41%	32%	0%	23%	23.42%

23.42% of the Corporation's total spend was towards SMME's

Cross Border of Road Transport Agency (CBRTA) 3.1 (b) The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) issued orders in the amount of R32,741,722.57 for the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and R7,796,923.01 for the period (bb) 01 April 2023 to 12 May 2023. i) Out of the total orders issued, an amount of R20,827,412,27 (64%) was issued to small-, medium- and micro-enterprises for the 2021-22 financial year and R5,892 600.29 (75%) for the period 01 April 2023 to 12 May 2023, ii) R29,380.00 (0.14%) was issued to cooperatives for the 2021-22 financial year and R0.00 (0%) for the period 01 April 2023 to 12 May 2023 iii) R0.00 to township enterprises for both periods and iv) R0.00 to rural enterprises for both periods. The breakdown per the categories above was based on information loaded in the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD). The C-BRTA does not conduct independent verification of the information loaded on CSD. Road Accident Fund (RAF) Procurement allocation in terms of: 2021/22 2022/23 01 April to 30 April 23 (i) SMMEs R2 506 855 071.91 which is 56% of procurement spend R1 680 270 441.90 which is 64% of procurement spend R40 400 634.66 which is 56% of procurement spend (ii) Cooperatives Refer to note 1 (iii) Township Enterprises   (iv) Rural enterprises   Note 1: The RAF is currently not able to report on procurement spend Cooperatives, Township and Rural Enterprises. Despite the challenge in reporting the RAF still ensures that a considerable share of our procurement spend is with B-BBEE Compliant Enterprises. The RAF is required to source the goods and services from service providers who registered with National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD). The CSD searches do not provide for searching of designated groups. RAF is in a process of formulating a transformation plan that includes targets of preferential procurement goals as specified above. South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) SANRAL collates information in accordance with the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA), which defines the categories of Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME), Qualifying Micro Enterprises (QSE) and Generic/Large entities. Both EME and QSE’s are regarded as (i) small-, medium- and micro enterprises (SMME). The table below reflects the awards for the (aa) 2021-22 and (bb) 2022/23 financial years.

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

2021/2022 Financial year end total spend R62,975,134-80

		Amount Spent	Percentage
(i)	EME&QSE	R43,603,479-47	69.24%
(ii)	Cooperatives	R16,636,045-64	26.42%
(iii)	Township enterprises	0	0
(iv)	Rural enterprises	0	0

1 April 2023 total spend R 6 042 254.43

		Amount Spent	Percentage
(i)	EME&QSE	R2,941,419	48.68%
(ii)	Cooperatives	R2,877,035	47.62%
(iii)	Township enterprises	0	0
(iv)	Rural enterprises	0	0

South Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

a) Not applicable

b) (aa) 2021-22 financial year:

1. 20.69% of procurement allocated to small, medium and micro-enterprises
2. Not applicable
3. Not applicable
4. Not applicable

(bb) Since April 2023: This information is not currently available for any of the categories due to a cyber-attack on our ICT environment.

Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA)

a) Not applicable

b) (aa) 2021-2022 financial year not applicable

1. Not applicable
2. Not applicable
3. Not applicable
4. Not applicable

(bb) Not applicable

Reply:

 

1. See attached annexure A.

1. Road transfers to SANRAL are not accompanied by direct budget transfers from the affected Province to SANRAL. The Provincial allocation will automatically reduce through the Provincial Road Maintenance Grant formula which is based on kilometer network length work in each Province, and SANRAL allocation will be adjusted by National Treasury over the MTEF period.

As per SANRAL press statements the “fiscal cliff” article that recently appeared in papers is based on 2016 scenarios as presented in SANRAL Horizon 2030 and the non-toll funding levels at the time. This scenario fortunately did not materialize, and SANRAL non-toll funding allocations received from National Treasury has increased by over 90% since 2015/16, enabling SANRAL to address national road backlogs and incorporated the remainder of the Strategic and Primary network, of which ± 12,000 km still remains to be transferred.

It is important to note that the transfer of roads is a process to be initiated by the Premier of the province with a formal letter to the Minister of Transport, meaning that without the Premier’s request, no transfers can be initiated.

ANNEXURE A

SANRAL mandate is to be responsible for the identified Strategic and Primary Road network of South Africa ± 35,000 km, of which 23,559 km has been transferred to SANRAL to date. The remaining portions of identified Strategic and Primary network per Province is summarised in table below.

 

During the 2022/23 financial year only three provinces, namely Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and North West the following Strategic and Primary roads were transferred as follows:

1. Eastern Cape transferred thirty (30) roads=332km
2. Northern Cape transferred twenty (20) roads= 951km
3. North West transferred one road (N12) with three (3) sections= 20.23km

Reply:

In terms of the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005, Section 79 (1) The Minister may, in writing, direct the Authority to perform a specified act within the Authority’s power or not to perform a specified act, if such direction is necessary of the-

1. to safeguard the national security of the Republic;
2. promote the national, strategic or economic interests of the Republic; or to;
3. discharge an international obligation of the Republic.”

The condition that the Minister of Transport has put on the directive is sufficient enough to give TNPA latitude to require Karpowership to comply with all necessary safety and operational requirements:

“TNPA reserves the rights to include all the necessary commercial and safety requirements or agreements that considered necessary during the period of this Directive.

Karpowership remains obliged to obtain all other statutory approvals and consent(s) as prescribed in law and as may be reasonably required by the TNPA.

The directive is also subject to all other government approvals such as Environmental Approvals from competent government departments”.

Reply:

In terms of the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005, Section 79 (1) The Minister may, in writing, direct the Authority to perform a specified act within the Authority’s power or not to perform a specified act, if such direction is necessary of the-

1. to safeguard the national security of the Republic;

2. promote the national, strategic or economic interests of the Republic; or to;

3. discharge an international obligation of the Republic.”

The Minister of Transport therefore is not the custodian of the project itself as that project falls under the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. It is therefore advisable that the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy respond to these specific questions.

Reply:

PRASA is currently offering commuter rail services in four regions namely KZN, Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape in the following lines:

• KZN: Durban – Umlazi, Durban – Kwamashu, Durban – Tongaat, Durban – Catoridge;
• Eastern Cape: East London to Berlin;
• Gauteng: Pretoria – Pienaarspoort, Pretoria – Saulsville, De Wildt – Hercules, Pretoria – Mabopane, Pretoria – Centurion, Johannesburg – Naledi and Vereeniging – Germiston;
• Western Cape: Cape Town – Simonstown, Cape Town – Retreat, Cape Town – Bellville (via Goodwood and Monte Vista), Cape Town – Wellington, Cape Town – Malmesbury, Bellville – Eersterivier, Cape Town – Langa (via Mutual and Pinelands) and Cape Town – Bellville (via Sarepta).

PRASA has also targeted to refurbish infrastructure on the following lines with the intention to restore passenger rail services in the 2023/2024 FY:

• KZN: Crossmore-Durban, Durban-Stanger, Pinetown-Durban, Wests-Durban.
• Eastern Cape: Port Elizabeth-Uitenhage.
• Gauteng: Daveyton-Dunswart-Germiston, Vereeninging-George Goch (via Midway), Kwesine-Germiston, Springs-Johannesburg, Randfontein-Johannesburg, Nigel-Springs, Johannesburg-Oberholzer, Germiston-New Canada (Booysen), Mabopane-Pienaarspoort (via Capital Park).
• Western Cape: Cape Town-Khayelitsha, Cape Town-Kapteinsklip, Cape Town-Kraaifontein, Cape Town-Worcester, Eerste Rivier-Muldersvlei.

Reply:

The matter was referred to Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, since this road falls under their area of jurisdiction and have indicated that roads in the Province are prioritized based on the outcome of optimal resource allocation. For that purpose, procurement processes have already commenced for parts of this request.

a) The province would like to address the concerns regarding the maintenance backlog on the Verkeerdevlei to Thaba Nchu (N8-N1) road. We understand the importance of maintaining our roads to ensure safe and efficient travel for all citizens.

The province acknowledges the potholes on this section of the road, as it forms part of the provincial departmental Potholes Repair Programme under Provincial Road Maintenance Grant (PRMG) funds. The Motheo region has a weekly target of pothole patching in line with the Departmental Annual Performance Plans (APPs). This is aimed at ensuring the road is safe for road users at all time, while the Department is planning to perform rehabilitation for the entire road later in the year because it has reached its life span.

b) The advert for the section between Excelsior and Tweespruit closed in 31 January 2023 and is currently undergoing evaluation with an allocated budget of R25 million for the 2023/24 financial year and a provisional R45 million for the 2024/25 financial year. The budget will be adjusted based on bids received and approved. The anticipation date appointment of a contractor is expected by end of June 2023.

The province assures that the Verkeerdevlei to Thaba Nchu road is not forgotten, and it will be prioritized in the next financial year. The province is aware of the urgency of the situation will work diligently to address the maintenance backlog on this road.

Reply:

For the 2023/24 financial the following lines will be opened.

• Leralla to Germiston
• Centurion to Kaalfontein
• Durban to Kwamashu/Bridge City
• Durban to Winkelspruit
• Germiston to Johannesburg
• Durban to Crossmoor
• Belle Ombre to Hercules to Capital Park
• Germiston to Kwesine
• Durban to Pinetown
• Johannesburg to Randfontein
• Johannesburg to Residensia
• Nyanga to Chris Hani
• Nyanga to Kapteinsklip
• Eerste River to Strand
• Eerste River to Muldersvlei

For the 2024/25 financial the following lines will be opened in the first quarter.

• Germiston to Daveyton
• Dunswart to Springs

Reply:

The Eastern Cape Department of Transport (ECDoT) is aware of the difficulty children in rural areas face when rivers are full and river crossings become impassable.

The National Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI) through BFI have secured funds with the purpose of constructing Welisizwe bridges aim at ensuring that access to schools, clinics, police stations are safe.

To this end the DPWI and ECDoT have entered into a memorandum of agreement for Welisizwe Bridges programme SIP No. 25. The following Departments are also involved in the rollout of this program:

• Department of Defence
• Department of Transport
• Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs

The ECDoT after the recent floods have identified 49 bridges that will be constructed over the MTEF period. The following table confirms that:

MTEF Targets
2023/24	2024/25	2025/26
17	16	16

Reply:

The matter was referred to the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, since this road falls under their area of jurisdiction, who have indicated that:

a) Delays were experienced for immediate repairs due a lack of resources

b) The planned intervention is the inclusion of the road on the Departmental Business Plan over the 2023/24 MTEF. Specifications have already been drafted and will be presented to relevant structures by end of May 2023, in an effort to kick-start the process of advertising for a contractor to fix and repair the two separate roads: i.e. Senekal – Rosendal and Rosendal – Ficksburg.

Reply:

The sixth administration of the ANC led government identified the turnaround of the RAF as one of its priorities. At the core of this turnaround is claimant centricity and expeditious finalisation of claims. There was a backlog of more than 300 000 claims (including supplier claims).

The target is to settle claims within 120 days as per the legislative mandate. This is against a background where claims took an average of 5 years to settle.

The RAF embarked on a project to settle old claims that were older than 3 years. An audit then indicated that 93% of all these claims were not compliant with the minimum requirements; i.e., the forms were not filled with “all particulars” as envisaged in Section 24 (4) of the RAF Act.

The claims were deemed to be valid in terms of Section 24(5) of the RAF Act which deems claims valid “in law in all respects” as the RAF did not object within 60 days of receiving the claim.

The former Minister of Transport, Minister Mbalula gazetted the Minimum requirements and the RAF has amended the RAF Form 1 to include all these changes.

A pre–assessment process has been implemented at various regional offices and most of these non–complaint claims are rejected immediately on lodgement in line with Section 24(4) of the RAF Act.

All RAF claims are now paid within 180 days after settlement in line with the court order granted by the North Gauteng High Court.

The challenge continues to be in represented claims, where attorneys receive monies and do not pay over to the claimants and Section 19(c) of the RAF Act which makes direct claims unlawful if RAF initiates the claim on behalf of the claimant.

Organisational structure review and process re-engineering

A new Operating Model was introduced with re-engineered claims processes focusing on simplifying the processing of valid claims to improve processing turnaround times.

In order to ensure that the correct claimants are paid timeously, the RAF moved from outsourcing of actuarial services to calculate the quatum of the claims, and accident investigators as it was costly and time consuming and appointed permanent employees for the investigation and assessment of claims to be managed in a shorter period and in a mre cost effective manner.

The claims administration units focus on matters capable of settlement by engaging with the claimants and/or their representatives to settle these matters before they are taken to court.

Furthermore, the RAF has also strengthened and improved controls linked to payments, with various validations, including the utilisation of the Home Affairs National Identification System (HANIS), are undertaken to verify and confirm the identity and mortality of claimants and dependants. Bank information is externally validated to ensure payments are made into the correct bank account. The RAF also checks tax compliance and any contingency fee agreement's validity before payment.

Reply:

1. The Department of Transport has developed a High-Speed Rail (HSR) Framework following the adoption of the National Rail Policy by Cabinet on 23 March 2022. Drawing its policy direction from the National Rail Policy, the HSR Framework provides the foundation for the prioritisation of HSR corridors in the country. The Framework identifies the objectives of HSR and the criteria to be used in prioritising and ranking potential HSR corridors in the country. Following approval of the HSR Framework by Cabinet and the securing of the required funding, feasibility studies will be conducted on prioritised HSR corridors.

2. See response in (1) above.

Reply:

a) The Department of Transport has developed a High Speed Rail (HSR) Framework following the adoption of the White Paper on National Rail Policy by Cabinet on 23 March 2022. Drawing its policy direction from the National Rail Policy, the draft HSR Framework provides the foundation for the prioritisation of HSR corridors in the country. Following approval of the draft HSR Framework by Cabinet and the securing of the required funding, feasibility studies will be undertaken on prioritised HSR corridors. The outcome of feasibility studies on priority corridors will determine the estimated cost of implementing HSR on a specific priority corridor.

b) See response in (a).

Reply:

As the honourable member may be aware, most of the South African road network has reached their twenty (20) years design life with the maintenance backlog estimated to be R197 billion. It is also important to note that insufficient budget for roads at both provincial and municipal levels continue to hinder the sector hence most of these roads are riddled with potholes.

Following Cabinet retreat of 31 May to 1 June 2022, whereby SANRAL was appointed as the implementing agent for the programme to support the Roads authorities with skills capacity and use of the maintenance technologies already available at SANRAL. All provinces developed and presented their respective plans on the six months rollout till end of 2022/23 financial year.

The programme “Operation Vala Zonke” rollout was then launched on 08 August 2022 in Gauteng with all other eight (8) provinces simultaneously launching their rollout programmes.

The rollout plan has both the short and long-term interventions that is presented to the National Treasury for funding support which includes amongst others.

1. Substantial budget increase to Provincial Road Maintenance Grant (PRMG) to be ringfenced for national intervention to allow SANRAL direct intervention where authorities fail to discharge their mandates.
2. Department issuing practice notes for provinces to sign MoA’s with municipalities for future collaboration and assistance of skills capacity to utilise the pothole reporting app.
3. Support for provinces and municipalities in uploading the roads data in the SANRAL Integrated Transport Information System.
4. SANRAL to remain central in coordinating all pothole fixing programme with both provinces and municipalities jointly working together.

The Department is in the process of establishing the “Operation Vala Zonke War Room” whereby all matters relating to pothole information will be centrally coordinated.

Following my meeting with His excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2023, I will be meeting with all the nine Premiers with effect from the 5th of June 2023 to address amongst others, challenges facing the province’s financial, technological and human resource capacity and also agree on how the rollout can be strengthened.

Reply:

The following lines in Cape Town are projected to be operational during the 2023/24 financial year, as follows:

• Nyanga to Chris Hani – 30 November 2023
• Nyanga to Kapteinsklip – 30 November 2023
• Eerste River to Strand – 30 August 2023
• Eerste River to Muldersvlei – 31 August 2023

Reply:

Yes. My Department has through the years taken several steps to (a) work with the SA Police Service to identify and/or apprehend individuals and/or syndicates responsible for the massive corruption at Driving Licence Testing Centers (DLTCs). The South African Police Service (SAPS) is a member of all the Department’s national legislation forums, where procedures and legislation are tabled to combat crime not only in the areas of DLTCs but in the road traffic environment as a whole.

Further to that, my Department is also a member of the National and Provincial Vehicle Crime Forums of the SAPS. In addition, my Department’s Directorate Compliance works closely with the SAPS and provides inputs and supplies evidence and expert witness statements in major SAPS operations if and when requested.

Both my Department and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), a Corporation of my Department, are therefore actively pursuing investigations into allegations of irregularities and bringing such cases with supporting evidence to the attention of the SAPS. Several such investigations are ongoing throughout the country. The RTMC reported that the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit investigated 247 cases of fraud and corruption in the past financial year and made 96 arrests in collaboration with the South African Police Services.

The Inspectorate for Driving Licence Testing Centres is appointed by the Minister. The purpose of this Inspectorate is to ensure that testing centres comply with the legislative requirements and non-compliance is reported to the Provincial Departments to act upon to, amongst others reduce crime.

The Department is also engaging with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to establish a link between the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) and DHA systems to further secure the environment by ensuring that we only transact with citizens or people who are legally in the country. Biometric verification is used to authenticate users on login. The biometric verification is currently deployed in the Smart Enrolment Units and will be deployed for the revised Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) within this financial year. The functionality will be extended to high-risk transactions when the applicant must be present.

The Online booking system is currently used at all DLTCs in Gauteng and 2 Metropolitan Municipalities in Eastern Cape to address collusion and fraudulent practices with bookings for tests. The solution is being rolled out in Free State.

Also with regards to part (b) my Department is working closely with DLCA to deal with the current backlog on processing licences;

The current backlog is however not a result of irregular activity at the DLTCs but as a result of maintenance on the card production machine that is taking longer than expected. The card production machine has been in operation since 1998 thus it’s obsolete and thus prone to constant breakdown. These breakdowns result in driving licence backlogs which the Department has been able to address once the machine is repaired and is in operation. A permanent solution to the problem is the replacement of this old machine with a new modern one, this is underway as part of the rolling out of the new driving licence card which was approved by Cabinet in August 2022.

Reply:

Between November 2022 to February 2023 and in February and March 2023 Eastern Cape Province was again hit hard by torrential rains with OR Tambo District hit by both two events, resulting in severe damages to roads infrastructure. Damages includes roads surface wash-away, bridges including approaches, stormwater drainage blockages with debris and logs, and serious mudslides rendering roads unusable.

a). For the 6 District, about 6023 km of roads plus 77 bridges of damages were recorded. Due to limited resources to deal with most of the provincial roads affected, the Department resolved to restore trafficability by blading most roads and regravelling critical areas in severely damaged roads. In recent months persistent rains in the province affected the repair work and to date about 23 kilometers of roads and 7 bridges has been repaired, and work is still underway to repair most of the roads including 3 bridges due for completion soon.

b). For national roads floods damages were experienced on road works and bridges notably in the Port St Johns and King Dalinyebo Sabata (KSD) local municipalities during the March 2023 floods.

Temporary deviations/bypasses were constructed at 100% of locations to provide access to facilities and dwellings on the other side of the road slope failures and damaged bridge approaches. Emergency procurement processes are underway, and it is expected to have contractors on site for permanent repairs in June 2023.

Reply:

(a)The salaries of the (i) Chief Executive Officer and the (ii) top Executives are included in the table below. The salaries include medical aid and provident fund benefits.

SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (SACAA)

Position	Annual Salary
Director of Civil Aviation	4,757,586.47
Executive: Aviation Safety Infrastructure	3,230,584.59
Executive: Aviation Safety Operations	3,016,418.95
Executive: Aviation Security	3,016,418.86
Chief Audit Executive	2,695,172.42
Chief Financial Officer	2,858,015.91
Executive: Legal and Aviation Compliance	2,219,700.00
Executive Accident & Incident Investigations	2,288,405.00
Executive: Corporate Services	2,243,691.37
Company Secretary	2,341,387.37
Executive: Human Resources	2,717,845.93

PORTS REGULATOR SOUTH AFRICA (PRSA)

Position	Annual Salary
Chief Executive Officer	3 811 900.50
Chief Financial Officer	2 206 345.56
Executive Manager Legal	2 032845.0
Executive Manager: Policy, Strategy & Research	2 206 345.56
Executive Manager Industry Development	1 978 101.97

SOUTH AFRICAN MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY (SAMSA)

Position	Annual Salary
Chief Executive Officer	3 641 880
Chief Operating Officer	2 819 000
Executive Legal Services	2 291 000
Company Secretary	2 400 000
Executive Maritime Projects	2 129 000
Chief Financial Officer	1 918 000
Chief Information Officer	1 766 000
Chief Human Capital	2 066 000
Deputy Chief Operating Officer	2 455 000
Executive Corporate Affairs	1 831 000

CROSS BOARDER ROAD TRANSPORT AGENCY (CBRTA)

Position	Annual Salary
Chief Executive Officer	R3,711,800
Chief Information Officer	R2,705,136
Executive: Corporate Service	R2,703,500
Executive: Regulatory Services	R2,703,500
Executive: Facilitation and Advisory	R2,703,500
Chief Financial Officer	R2,703,500

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY LIMITED (SANRAL)

Position	Annual Salary
Chief Executive Officer	R6 000 000.00
Chief Financial Officer	R3 603 711.00
Engineering Executive	R3 308 861.00
Chief Corporate Affairs Executive	R2 191 415.00
Business Operations Executive (VACANT)	R2 904 374.00

ROAD TRAFFIC INFRINGEMENT AGENCY (RTIA)

Position	Annual Salary
Registrar/Chief Executive Officer	R2,469,928.00
Deputy Registrar: Traffic Infringement Management	R1,864,698.00
Deputy Registrar: Strategy Development and Monitoring	R1,864,698.00
Chief Financial Officer	R1,864,698.00
Senior Executive Legal & Compliance	R1,864,698.00
Chief Audit Executive	R1,864,698.00

ROAD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (RTMC)

Position	Annual Salary
Chief Executive Officer	5 689 838
Executive Manager: Road Information and Technology	2 833 487
Executive Manager: Financial Services	3 182 407
Executive Manager: Road Safety Stakeholder Relations Management & Marketing	2 710 930
Executive Manager: Corporate Services	2 753 430
Executive Manager: Road Traffic Law Enforcement	2 684 999
Executive Manager Road Traffic Academy	2 743 586
Executive Manager Transactional Services	2 177 914

AIR TRAFFIC & NAVIGATION SERVICES (ATNS)

Position	Annual Salary
Chief Executive Officer	4 416 300,00
Chief of Finance	891 625,00
*Chief Operating Officer (vacant)	3 280 515,28
*Company Secretary (vacant)	1 690 000,00
Chief Information Officer	2 468 066,08
*Chief Operations Technology(vacant)	2 167 733,49
*Chief Air Traffic Services (vacant)	2 212 166,00
Executive: ATM / CNS Planning	2 494 872,47
*Executive: Strategy and Optimisation (vacant)	2 367 666,00
*Executive: Commercial Services (vacant)	2 652 818,78
Chief Audit Officer	2 086 355,67
Chief Risk Officer	2 027 791,18
Legal Counsel	2 066 751,69
Chief Aviation Training Academy	2 326 092,55
Chief Human Capital Officer (6.5 months fixed term contract with total value of R996 664,50)	1 839 996,00
Regional Director Africa Affairs (Canso)	2 789 438,95

*Annual salary of previous incumbent

ROAD ACCIDENT FUND (RAF)

Position	Annual Salary
Chief Executive Officer	R6 177 316,00
Chief Financial Officer	R3 255 000,00
Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer	R3 100 000,00
Chief Governance Officer	R2 811 076,00
Chief Internal Audit Officer	Vacant
Chief Claims Officer	Vacant
Chief Corporate Support Officer	Vacant
Chief Investment Officer	Vacant

RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR)

Position	Annual Salary
Chief Executive Officer	3 800 000
Chief Operations Officer	Vacant
Chief Financial Officer	Vacant
Executive Media and Communications	2 003 574
Executive Risk and Strategy	2 330 588
Executive Legal Services	1 700 489
Executive Human Resources	1 566 601
Chief Information Officer	1 678 813
Company Secretary	1 566 601
Chief Audit Executive	2 003 574

PASSENGER RAIL AGENCY OF SOUTH AFRICA (PRASA)

Position	Annual salary
Group Chief Executive Officer	6 800 000.00
Chief Finance Officer	2,967,363.00
Chief Executive Officer	2,800,000.00
Executive Manager: Office of GCEO	2,967,879.00
Chief Financial Officer (Prasa Cres)	2,514,809.00
Executive Manager:Real Estate	2,208,714.00
Executive Manager: Facilities Management	1,961,000.00
Group Executive: Legal,Risk & Compliance	3,271,444.00
Acting Chief Executive Officer (Autopax)	3,094,284.00
Chief Financial Officer: PRASA Rail	2,420,800.00
Chief Operations Officer	1,950,000.00
Chief Financial Officer: PRASA Corporate	3,590,464.00
Chief Information Officer	2,761,809.00
Chief Executive Officer (Autopax)	2,600,000.00

AIRPORTS COMPANY SOUTH AFRICA (ACSA)

Position	Annual Salary
Chief Executive Officer	4 763 676
Chief Financial Officer	3 551 556
Executive Strategy & Sustainability	3 183 899
Chief Information Officer	3 153 066
Executive Operations Management	2 850 000
Executive Enterprise and Airport Security	3 000 000
Chief Audit Executive	2 711 159
Executive Human Resource	2 700 000
Executive Corporate Services	2 500 000

(b) The CEO and Executive members of State-Owned Entities do not get paid to attend meetings.

Reply:

a) In terms of institutional arrangements for land transport as prescribed in the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, it is the responsibility of municipalities to plan, provide and manage public transport infrastructure in their areas, not the national sphere. As planning authorities, municipalities are responsible for preparing transport plans in their areas and ensuring the implementation thereof as per section 11(1)(c)(iv) of the Act. These plans must comply with minimum requirements as published in November 2014 (Government Gazette No. 38256), which requires the inclusion of a transport infrastructure strategy to deal with the development and maintenance of transport infrastructure, including public transport facilities. In terms of section 11(1)(c)(v) of the Act, municipalities are responsible for the financial planning with regard to land transport within or affecting its area, with particular reference to transport planning, infrastructure, operations, services, maintenance, monitoring and administration, with due focus on rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure.

b) See (a) above regarding institutional arrangements and responsibilities.

Reply:

The department does have a plan to deal with pedestrian fatalities on the roads.

In terms of that plan - which is encapsulated in the 365 days road safety programme, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, as the national lead agency on road safety, and provincial departments of community safety and transport jointly identify high-risk areas for pedestrian safety.

The plan identifies behaviour that puts pedestrians at risk such as jaywalking, drunk walking, distracted walking, scholar safety as well as safe crossing of freeways and visibility.

The national and provincial teams then jointly deploy law enforcement and road safety operations in identified high-risk areas to discourage unsafe road usage by pedestrians.

The law enforcement and the road safety education and communication technical committees – comprised of the RTMC, traffic law enforcement authorities and road safety practitioners from all nine provinces – meet regularly to evaluate performance and decide on further required interventions.

The challenge with pedestrian crashes is that they take place within build-up areas where municipalities have jurisdiction. The mushrooming of informal settlements further exacerbates the situation as shops and transport orgonites generally lie on the opposite side of major freeways requiring pedestrians to cross freeways when it is not safe to do so. The road authorities put up pedestrian over-passes to separate pedestrian traffic from the vehicle traffic, thus creating a safer environment for co-existence.

In implementing the 365-plan road safety (on the ground) activations were implemented, in addition to the school programme activations. Other interventions planned for the year with the private sector include focusing on drunken walking, which is a serious issue during weekends and long weekends.

Reply:

1. (a) Funding of learner transport is provided by the provincial treasuries through provincial equitable share. The total budget of scholar transport for 2022/2023 was R4,175,636,000.00 and is illustrated in the table below:

Province	Annual Budget 2023/2024
Eastern Cape	R 694,000,000.00
Free State	R 102,400,000.00
Gauteng	R 1,046,934,000.00
KwaZulu Natal	R 266,400,000.00
Limpopo	R 466,231,000.00
Mpumalanga	R 464,891,000.00
North West	R 450,000,000.00
Northern Cape	R 191,481,000.00
Western Cape	R 493,299,000.00
TOTAL	R 4,175,636,000.00

(b) The Department of Transport has developed a National Learner Transport Policy in order to ensure effective and efficient management of learner transport across the country. The policy provides that a standardised measure of remuneration for subsidised learner transport and that it shall be based on total kilometres travelled. Factors such as road conditions and travel distances shall determine the cost of a service. The Department has further developed a standard contract guideline that provinces could use in the contracting of transport operations. The policy further provides that the implementing departments must ensure that learner transport services are undertaken according to procurement legislation and Treasury regulations.

2. Funding of learner transport is provided by the provincial treasuries through provincial equitable share. There is no funding of scholar transport from National Department of Transport.

3. According to the progress reports for provinces in relation to the National Learner Transport Programme for the financial year of 2022.2023, the implementation of the programme is summarised as follows:

Reply:

The approval of the White Paper on National Rail Policy (NRP) by Cabinet on 22 March 2022, assured a new and vibrant future for the rail industry in South Africa. The NRP contains specific policy direction on rail infrastructure, access, economic regulation and the market structure geared to dramatically change rail transportation in South Africa and intends to re-establish rail as the backbone of freight transportation and urban commuter mobility.

Transnet and PRASA, both wholly owned by the Government, has been experiencing significant performance problems over several years (massive capital investment backlog, inadequate funding, obsolete and ageing infrastructure, deteriorating rolling stock, and outdated technologies and insufficient specialised technical skills) that has contributed to rail’s generally declining state.

The implementation of the NRP has wider strategic implications for rail infrastructure management, ownership and access control. The NRP opens up opportunities for new players to participate in the investment and delivery of rail services. These opportunities, if implemented successfully, will draw rail friendly freight back to rail.

Reply:

(1) (a) Daveyton-Dunswart-Germiston; Vereeninging-George Goch (via Midway); Kwesine Germiston; Cape Town-Khayelitsha; Cape Town-Kapteinsklip; Kelso (Umbongontwini) – Durban; Cape Town-Kraaifontein; Cape Town-Wellington; East London-Berlin; Port Elizabeth-Uitenhage; Cape Town-Strand; Crossmore-Durban; Springs-Johannesburg; Randfontein-Johannesburg; Durban-Stanger; Pinetown-Durban; Germiston-Vereeniging (MTN); Cape Town-Malmesbury; Cape Town-Worcester; Nigel-Springs; Eerste Rivier-Muldersvlei; Johannesburg-Oberholzer; Germiston-New Canada (Booysen); Wests-Durban; Mabopane-Pienaarspoort (via Capital Park).

(b) The main issues holding back refurbishment are: load shedding affecting some of operational areas supplied by the Municipality (Connect power supply from substations), encroachment and community unrests activities, which affects the acceleration of the key projects for the Recovery Programme.

(2) PRASA Protection Services has collaboration with SAPS, Crime Intelligence, as well as the State Security Agency. Regional meetings between Law Enforcement and PRASA Protection Services takes place every 2 weeks, with National meetings conducted on a monthly basis.

PRASA is represented on the Economic Sabotage of Critical Infrastructure (ESCI) Forum and collaborates with SOE’s, such as Telkom, Eskom, Transnet, etc… The ESCI Forum meets on a monthly basis.

3. At this stage it is not possible to quantify the volumes of material that PRASA is currently utilizing – however, we can report that:

(a) Materials such as rails, turnouts, wheels, and major cables on the General Overhaul and toilets on the Mainline Passenger Services Coaches are imported.

(b) Major spares, namely windows shrouds, interior panels, interiors seats floorboards, insulation material and paint are bought through South African producers and are sourced locally.

Reply:

Roads Authority	Progress Reported
Eastern Cape	Within the province of the Eastern Cape work is allocated to in-house and outsourced services depending on the availability of resources such as personnel and funding. Demonstrated below is the work that has been done up-to-date. District Total Pothole Repaired m²(Cumulative) Type of Model used Total expenditure to date Joe Gqabi 9 822 Outsourced R2 131 020.90 Sarah Baartman 11 268.9 In-house & outsourced R2 341 406.616 OR Tambo 3140.8 In-house & outsourced R257 276.00 Chris Hani 2 208.37 In-house & outsourced R375 000.00 Amathole 1322.55 Inhouse In-house Alfred Nzo 1205 In-house & outsourced In-house As demonstrated above the province has repaired 28 967.62 m² potholes using a combination of In-house and outsourced services. In the process of repairing potholes the province has incurred R5 104 703.51 expenditure up-to-date.
Free State	The programme started on 8 August and the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport have identified roads to form part of the Vala Zonke Programme. Some roads have already been attended to and oversight visits taken place by the Minister, together with the Deputy Minister and MEC responsible for PR&T. The following roads formed part of the National Launch: The R57 – Sasolburg to Vaalbank road is The R59 – Sasolburg to Vredefort road is The R501 – Viljoenskoon to Potchefstroom road A total of 15 407 square meters of potholes have been attended to in the Free State.   No contractors or implementing agents are involved. Teams from the Department perform the activities. To date the Free State spent R6,9 million on the procurement of material for the fixing of potholes by Departmental Maintenance teams
Gauteng	The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has introduced two apps to improve the Department's response to the problem of potholes. The first app, PotholeFixGP allows the public to report potholes on any public road in Gauteng to the Department. Potholes reported by the public on provincial roads are then attended to by the Department's maintenance teams, while potholes reported on municipal and SANRAL roads are referred to the relevant road authority for attention. The app was launched on 28 May 2022 and to date, the public has reported 5 419 potholes using the PotholeFixGP app, with 990 potholes reported on provincial roads, 4 379 on municipal roads and 50 on SANRAL roads. The Department has repaired 566 of the potholes reported on provincial roads to date. The second app is an in-house maintenance app that the Department's maintenance teams use to record potholes found by them and to then report when these potholes have been repaired. This app was introduced at the end of May 2022 and to date the Department's maintenance teams have used the app to capture information for 13 291 potholes that have been repaired on the Gauteng provincial roads. At an average area of 3.4 m2 per pothole, the total area of the 13 291 potholes repaired by the Department is 44 875 m2. At an average rate of R 130/ m2 to repair a pothole, the total amount spent to repair the 13 291 potholes is R 5.8 million. (Note: The R 130/m2 is based on the rate supplied to the CSIR by the Department when we prepared the inputs for the 2021/2022 RAMP. SANRAL has reported rates of R 700/ m2 to R 1 500/ m2 to repair potholes. Using a rate of R 700/ m2, the cost to repair the 13 291 potholes would be R 31.4 million and at R1 500/ m2, it would be R 67.3 million.)
KwaZulu Natal	Since the launch of Vala-Zonke Program on the 8th August 2022, the Kwa Zulu-Natal Department of Transport repaired a total of 275 137 .83 m2 of blacktop compared to a provincial target of 311 963.53 m2 . The above was achieved by combination of internal teams and external service providers with a total spend of R 190 919 230.08 as at the end of the 6 month period.
Limpopo	Since the launch of pothole patching operation in August 2022, 92 513m2 have been repaired. The operation is carried out mainly through departmental workforce augmented by about 2 000 temporary beneficiaries. In this regard, the cost is estimated at R26 million based on material and workman-hours.
Mpumalanga	The Mpumalanga Department of Public works, Roads and Transport has been repairing potholes in line with Vala Zonke pothole repairing programme using both outsourcing and internal approaches. To date, Transport Infrastructure ten months performance report indicates good performance when compare annual planned targets of 142 186 m2 vs 173 585 m2 ten months actual outputs. The Department is investing more in building internal capacity, four mechanised potholes patching machines are in operational on tourist roads in the Province and more potholes square metre are achieved within short space of time. The Mpumalanga Department of Public works, Roads and Transport has an expenditure of 52% on surfaced road potholes patching allocation as shown below. ANNUAL BUDGET EXPENDITURE (09/01/ 2023) PERCENTAGE R340 962 000,00 R178 927 834,28 52%
Northern Cape	The Northern Cape Department of Roads and public works has been repairing potholes in line with the Vala Zonke Programme launched by National Department of Transport. The table below show the m2 of pothole patched and expenditure since the launch of the programme in August 2022 up to December 2022. District or Region August Pothole Repairs – m2 Repaired September Pothole Repairs – m2 Repaired October Pothole Repairs – m2 Repaired November Pothole Repairs – m2 Repaired December Pothole Repairs – m2 Repaired TOTAL FRANCES BAARD 5 139,10 1417.18 952.41 651.64 499.94 8660.27 JOHN TAOLO GAETSEWE 1388,60 1 514.56 907.11 329.87 623.6 4763.74 PIXLEY KA SEME 470 562 1284.41 2365.90 412.08 5094.39 NAMAKWA 255.5 604.3 516.6 1312.64 1224 3913.04 ZF MQGAWU 207,2 414.35 378.69 148.05 96.67 1244.96 TOTAL m2 7 460,40 4 512.39 4 039.22 4 808.1 2 856.29 23676.40 EXPENDITURE R3 249 351.01 R4 722 498.94 R3 606 965 R4 173 924.56 R2 550 638.40 R18 303 377.91
North West	DR KENNETH KAUNDA DISTRICT The annual target for the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District for the 2022/2023 fiscal period is 6970.00m² (as it appears on the District’s Operational Plan for 2022/23). For the period 01 April 2022 to 10 February 2023 the output is 29575.20m² and 9530 potholes patched (in-house and outsourced). 34270.80 bags (25kg each covering 0.5m²) were applied to achieve the output of 29575.20m² (8728 potholes patched) at an expense of R2 056 248 (R60/bag). Operation Vala Zonke / Kwala Kaofela was launch on 01 August 2022. For the period 1 August 2022 to 10 February 2023 the District patched 5696.19m² and 4156 potholes (in-house and outsourced). Included in the District’s output of 29575.20m² and 9530 potholes patched, service providers (outsourced output) contributed the following: i) 2300.00m² and 280 potholes (rollover from appointment in 2021/22) and ii) 1050.00m² and 148 potholes; and iii) 9089.80m² and 374 potholes = a total of outsourced output achieved of 12439.80m² and 802 potholes patched in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District for 2022/2023 (01/04/22 – 10/02/2023) The expense in respect of the 12439.80m² (802 potholes patched by appointed service providers in terms of the Framework Agreement PWR 125/20B amounted to R4 614 873.52 for the 2022/23 fiscal year. The total cost implication in respect of 29575.20m² and 9530 potholes patched in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District for the period 01 April 2022 to 10 February 2023 amounts to R6 671 121.52 BOJANALA DISTRICT The total work done from August to December 2022 which is Q1 and Q2 is 8407m2 and number of total Potholes is 11 915.9 for the 2022/23 financial year. For Q3 the total work done from January to February 2023 is 671m2 and number of total Potholes is 698.20 for the 2022/23 financial year. The cumulative total as of 03 February 2023 for work done is 12614m2 and for number of Pothole is 9078. The total expenditure for the District is as follows: 1. Asphalt readymix = R1 970 640.00 2. Cement = R166 800.00 3. 9,5mm Crushed road stone= R619 476.00 4. KRS Drums = R543 375.00 5. Small Equipement = R231 816.00 6. Diesel = R3 079 320.00 TOTAL = R 6 611 427 NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT In-house maintenance 6147 m² - Material cost R511 462,5 NB: Coldmix only R83,2 per m² Outsourced Projects 392,3 m² – R32 361,45 : work done and number of Potholes patched is 1721 from 14 July to September 2022 for Q2 In-house maintenance 12 295 m² - R1 762 519 R143,35 per m² NB: Composition of Emulsion and Crusher stone; plus Coldmix Work done and number of Potholes patched 3443 from 1st October to December 2022 for Q3 In-house maintenance 3298m² - R532 308 R161,40 per m² NB: Composition of Emulsion and Crusher stone Work done and number of Potholes patched 1045 from 1st January to 30th January 2023. The Total number of Potholes patched to date is 22 132m2 and number of Potholes to date 6209 DR. RUTH SEGOMOTSI MOMPATI DISTRICT The total work done from August to December 2022 which is Q2 is 4 958.29 m² and number of total Potholes patched is 5 142 for the 2022/23 financial year. The total work done from 1st October to December 2022 which is Q3 is 845.13 m² and number of total Potholes patched is 896 for the 2022/23 financial year The total work done from 1st January to 17th February 2023 which is Q4 is 289.47 m² and the number of total Potholes patched is 321 for the 2022/23 financial year The Total number of Potholes patched to date 6 092.89 m² and number of Potholes to date 6 359
Western Cape	The Western Cape Government, Department of Transport have performed routine maintenance works on the provincial road network to repair and fix potholes. The amount of blacktop patching repaired from 1 April 2022 to 31 December 2023 was 17 444 square meters. The Department do not have the itemised financial reports for the repair and fixing of potholes and cannot provide this information.

Reply:

In response to all questions, the Department requested Parliament to engage the Party to provide the list of companies indicated as specified, as it was not provided with the Question.

On 16 May 2023, office of the Procedural Advisor: Questions, confirmed that the information has as yet not been received.

As such, the Department is not in a position to currently respond to the question, but will do so once the information is provided by the Party.

Reply:

a) Government has always been constructing bridges for vehicles and pedestrians across provinces, and addition to this is response to SONA, as Welisizwe bridges are planned for rollout. The Eastern Cape is one of the Provinces that will be receiving 19 Welisizwe bridges that will be concluded in October 2023.

b) During the 2023/24 financial year, additional 17 bridges are planned for construction. The DPWI and SANDF are integral Departments in this program.

Reply:

No, the Department does not receive claims. As the honourable member may be aware the Department through South African National Road Agency Limited (SANRAL) maintain National roads while the provinces maintain the provincial roads through Provincial Road Maintenance Grant.

The honourable member should note that all road damage claims are submitted to SANRAL, provinces and municipalities.

Reply:

1. The high Cube Containers are regulated by Section 224(b) of the National Road Traffic Regulation 2000,issued under the National Traffic Act 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996 ) wherein an exemption was granted in 2011 ( Government Gazette No. 34621) , extended in 2021, to exempt the operation in the Public roads of motor vehicles transporting international Standards Organisation (ISO) containers with a height exceeding the permitted high of 4300 metres. The road freight industry made a plea to the Minister to allow transportation of high cube containers to permissible height approximately 4600 meters as part of global standards practice when containers are transported on skeletal or low bed trailers. It was reported that the containers are transported across SADC region on the 4 600 meters and coming in to South Africa ,cargo owners are faced law enforcement officers and punitive measures , that the high cube as part with containers cause damage to the bridges-all these factors are going to be researched to establish scientific facts and operational efficiency that may lead to review and /or amendment of the Regulations 224(b). The research seeks to find a balance on the economic impact for operators and the unintended damage to the road infrastructure whilst maintaining the elements of road safety strategy.

(2) Yes, the moratorium has extended until further notice, with effect from 31 March 2023- Government Gazette No. 48348. The Department of Transport shall advise on the developments and way forward with regard to the lifting of the moratorium in due course

(3) Yes, Minister of Transport has issued a Government Gazette No. 48348 to that effect to inform the sector and law enforcement agencies, and this will be issued and broadly circulated to all affected and interested stakeholders in the transportation sector.

 

Reply:

The Department can confirm that the road R719 between Bultfontein-Wesselsbron-Bothaville, from Bloemfontein is indeed a regional road with the posted speed of 100km/hr.

The Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport is currently experiencing budgetary constraints regarding routine maintenance resulting with the section between Wesselsbron to Bothaville in a worse condition.

To address the above challenges, the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport is providing pothole repair with assistance from the farming community through the Letsema programme, whereby the Department is providing equipment and material whereas the farming community is providing labourers, who will be supervised by Government officials to work on road surface to ensure safety on the road.

Reply:

N2 Section 24, KM 0 – KM12

The temporary deviation to the median opened to traffic on 27th May 2022. The intervention design has been completed and construction contract was awarded on 24 January 2023 to a value of R352,680,879.10 to Stefanutti Stocks (Pty) Ltd for construction period of 11 months. The contract commencement date was on 6 February 2023, and currently the contractor is finalising local stakeholder engagements. The local stakeholder Project Liaison Committee was established on 6 March 2023 and physical works is due to commence during March 2023.

N2 Section 23, KM 49,8

The tender for consulting engineering services closed on 26 January 2023. The tender is in the evaluation process and has been conditionally awarded on 9 March 2023. It is intended for the investigation and detail design to commence in March 2023, and a contractor to be appointed by April 2024.

In the interim, the Southbound carriageway (SBC) slow lane has been closed which is where the major slip failure cracking has taken place. Construction of the crossover in the median as well as the northbound carriageway (NBC) widening has been completed, and traffic will be diverted onto the NBC within the next 2 weeks ending 24 March 2023. This will ensure full access will be available to the design team for the investigations as well as to the Contractor during the construction phase.

Reply:

(1) (a) The Department of Transport exercises oversight and monitoring of CAPEX for Transnet National at the Ports Consultative Committee (PCC) as regulated by the National Ports Act. The relevant Shareholder Minister in this regard is the Minister of Public Enterprises.

(b) The question must be directed to Department of Public Enterprises (DPE).

(2) The Department does not budget for port development and infrastructure. DoT is a Policy Department.

Reply:

The R703 linking the N8 with the N1 is not a SANRAL road but a Provincial Road. It is also not part of the identified Strategic and Primary Network still to be transferred to SANRAL in Free State Province. As R703 is not a SANRAL road, SANRAL has no mandate to repair it.

The Department will source the Detailed Plans by the Province regarding this road will then be submitted to Parliament.