Questions and Replies

Reply:

PRASA is continuing the work of adding more capacity to its service which will increase availability of inter-city routes. The following routes will run during the Easter peak period, departing from Johannesburg:

Johannesburg — East London departing on 17 April 2025 and returning to Johannesburg on 20 April 2025

Johannesburg - Durban departing on 17 April 2025 and retuming on 20 April 2025.

MS. BD CREECY, MP

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

DATE: 3/3/2025

Reply:

The road in question (DR18033) between the N2 in Mgqumo and KuMatshamba in Elliotdale is not part of the identified Strategic and Primary Road network, and as per the Road Infrastructure Strategic Framework for South Africa (RISFSA) classification it is classified as R4, a rural collector road, and does not meet the criteria for transfer to SANRAL.

2. (a)(b) The Department of Transport has established Provincial Road Maintenance Grants (PRMG) that seek to support provinces in the maintenance of their strategic and secondary road networks.

There is a refurbishment component of the grants that funds upgrading of gravel roads. The provincial authorities are advised to re-prioritise allocation to favour this 21 km stretch.

3. (a)(b)(i)(ii) The Eastern Cape Provincial road authorities are advised to consider and include this road in the 2025/26 Table B5 project List for implementation. However, this project must be approved and gazetted based on the requirements of the PRMG and Division of Revenue Act.
 

Reply:

(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)

As the Boegoebaai project is still at the pre-feasibility stage, it is too early for the requested details to be provided. The honourable member will therefore need to pose these questions at a later point in time.

Reply:

1. The implementation of 24/7 shift system differed from province to province. The Road Traffic Management Corporation's (RTMC) National Traffic Police (NTP) implemented the 2417 shift system in full for the entire festive season period. A 24/7 shift system was implemented by the Western Cape authorities which implements in pockets in identified areas. Implementation in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Eastem Cape was delayed as the matter is currently before the courts. Most provinces implemented a flexi-shifi system covering crucial routes during critical times of the day.

2. The NTP implement the 24/7 shift system as part of their conditions of employment. During critical road safety periods, the NTP is deployed to identified critical provinces covering the top uenty busiest routes as an intervention to increase visibility and enforcement.

3. The RTMC National Traffic Police incurred about R43 million from December 2024 to January 2025 for deployments in different provinces. The expenditure by other provinces can be sourced from the relevant provincial authorities.

4. The National Traffic Police worked in an integrated manner with other law enforcement agencies over the festive period. In total 997 integrated K78 Roadblocks were conducted
 

Reply:

On November 21, 2024, the Deputy Minister of Transport visited the municipality for an oversight visitand emphasised the importance of implementing the recommendations from the forensic report, among other issues.
 

Following a meeting with the Deputy Minister, the municipality provided an update on resolutions passed by the City Council on January 31 , 2025:

1. The City Council approved the implementation of the recommendations from the Integrated Public Transport Network Forensic Investigation Report and Legal Opinion.
2. Disciplinary actions are to be taken against the officials involved.
3. All criminal cases have been referred to the law enforcement agency (DPCI) for further investigation.
4. The Disciplinary Board has been mandated to assess cases of financial misconduct.
5. The Executive Mayor is required to report progress to the Minister of Transport and the City Council within 90 days.

The municipality has handed over the matter to the DPCI, which has already commenced its investigation and collected relevant documentation from the municipality. Since then, DPCI officials have met with staff from the Department of Transport on 4 February 2025 to gather additional details.

(a),(b) (c) As of February 14, 2025, the city notified the eight internal staff members involved, and the cases of the four extemal members have been forwarded to their respective departments for further action.

 

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Reply:

1 (a)(b) The effort to strengthen enforcement and to introduce harsher penalties for serious offences includes three critical focus areas. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) through the Technical Committee for Standards and Procedures, which is comprised of representatives from the private sectorJ road traffic authorities, law enforcement instruments and Directors of Public Prosecutions from the different provinces, has revised the current Alcohol Evidential Prosecutorial Standards to strengthen prosecution of alleged drunken drivers. This is to close all loopholes in the standard operation of arrests of offenders for drunken driving by traffic officers.

2. One of the main measures in place to increase pedestrian safety is to strengthen the RTMC coordination of all traffic authorities including the Metro Police through the implementation of the National Road Traffic Law. Enforcement Code - NRTLEC. This Code will ensure enhanced coordination of collaborations and sharing of resources between all authorities throughout the three spheres of government and close the gap in the reporting and monitoring of authorities' performance. Most critical is the adherence of all authorities to one national law enforcement 365 Road Safety Plan which will provide a framework for enhanced intervention planning targeting law enforcement, education and communications.

The RTMC has identified the top twenty hazardous routes in the country and alternative routes, escape or secondary routes with most of them having a high number of accidents involving pedestrians. Throughout the year as force multiplier the RTMC National Traffic Police were deployed to different provinces to enhance visibility and enforcement in these identified routes. An annual 365 Road Safety Operational Framework is being developed to guide authorities to focus on the most critical offences, identified locations, critical times with clear expected interventions.
 

Reply:

Due to Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act, the personal details of support staff cannot be disclosed.

Reply:

The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) initiated an investigation against an official who was employed as the Executive Manager of Corporate Services. The investigation was completed and handed over to the C-BRTA in December 2024. The investigation report was handed over to the Agency’s lawyers last month to study and advise the organisation. The report and the recommendations from the lawyers will be taken to the Board for processing once completed. The organisation will take the necessary steps to address the outcomes of the forensic investigation report. This matter is being handled at the level of the CEO in consultation with the Board.

Reply:

a) The Department has consistently cautioned the taxi industry leadership that their patrollers do not have authority to stop any vehicle on a public road. Only Authorised Officers of the law are duly empowered to enforce compliance with all applicable laws and punish any violation by road users. The National Land Transport Act, No. 05 of 2009 clearly defines Authorised Officers, and under section 89 details the powers of these Authorised Officers in relation to land transport law enforcement. Authorised Officers include inspectors appointed by provinces, municipalities or the Road Traffic Management Corporation, members of the South African Police Service and municipal police. Patrollers are not empowered by any legislation, and therefore such cases of harassment must be reported to law enforcement agencies for appropriate action to be taken against perpetrators.

b) The Department is continuously engaging SANTACO, as the umbrella representative body for the taxi industry, to monitor and rein in their members to cease these illegal activities of threatening other public transport modes and also threatening passengers. Harassment and bullying of (i) e-hailing drivers and (ii) passengers, anywhere in the country, by members of the taxi industry, are clear acts of criminality that must be reported to law enforcement officials for investigation and prosecution. The Department will continue to engage and educate the taxi industry on this matter and where necessary work with law enforcement to bring perpetrators to book.

bb) See (b) above

cc) See (b) above

Reply:

As the honourable Member may be aware, the South African Constitution provides for the functional areas of concurrent national and provincial legislative competence. In the case of road construction, maintenance and operations, these are an exclusive mandate and function of all the three spheres of Government. It is the responsibility of provinces, to prioritise, plan, package and implement their road projects.

1. For information regarding detailed drawings (plans) and designs or the procurement plan, the Honourable Member is advised to directly with the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport.

(2) See (1) above.

See (1) above.

Reply:

(1) The interventions on the national critical routes such as NI , N2, and N4 have been in place for several years as part of the National Road Safety Strategy. This was strengthened by the activation of implementation and monitoring review sessions, which were led by the Minister of Transport, Deputy Minister, and Members of the Executive Council of Provinces responsible for Traffic and Transport matters during the 2024/25 festive season. Respective Heads of Departments and the CEOs of Transport Roads Agencies coordinated by the RTMC also held weekly sessions during the festive season to evaluate the implementation of the festive season plan and decide on interventions where necessary.

To ensure that these interventions were effective and sustainable, numerous meetings were held with the different MMCs responsible for traffic and transport to facilitate the coordination of local traffic authorities focusing on Metro Police Departments, noting that most fatal accidents, especially pedestrian-related happened within the urban areas. The RTMC will also deploy the National Traffic Police to the provinces to patrol the identified critical routes in line with the 365 Road Trafic Safety Operational Plan.

(2) There are no measures to shift the urban resources to national highways as the data proved that most fatal accidents happen in urban areas in general and not only during the peak of travel periods such as Easter weekend and Festive Season. The measures in place are to be strengthened by the RTMC coordination of all traffic authorities, including the Metro Police, through the implementation of the National Road Traffic Law Enforcement Code — NRTLEC. This Code will ensure enhanced coordination of collaborations and sharing of resources between all authorities throughout the three spheres of govemment and close the gap in the reporting and monitoring of authorities' performances.

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Reply:

As stated in the previous response, the maintenance of roads and traffic signals in the Johannesburg Metropolitan area is the responsibility of the MMC for roads in the city.

MS. BD CREECY, MP MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

DATE: 19/02/2025

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCE QUESTION NO. 36 CW39E

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Reply:

(1) Yes, the individual's qualifications were verified and confirmed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) before they were appointed..

(2) Yes, the individual met the requirements of the post of Chief of Staff.

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Reply:

a) b) The Minister has instructed the office of the Auditor-General (AG) to investigate the procurement of the new drivers license card producing machine. The findings of the AG's investigation will inform any further policy position on the roll out of electronic drivers' license cards.

_ ,,..._ ' "·

MS. BO CREECY, MP MINISTER OF TRANSPORT DATE: C) f,/O (/

NCOP QUESTION NO. 745 CW885E

Reply:

FlySafair lodged a declaration application in the Pretoria High Court. This matter is still before the courts

Reply:

The SAA lounge at Cape Town International Airport will be temporarily closed for 3 months to undergo renovations, from a date to be confirmed in February 2025. The renovations are aimed at enhancing the overall experience for our valued patrons. SAA thanks all its customers for their understanding as the airline works to improve its facilities All SAA lounge employees at Cape Town International Airport are employed on a permanent basis.

SAA assures members that there will be no loss of income for our employees during the lounge renovation period, and they will continue to receive their salaries. Employees will be either redeployed to other roles within the airport or assigned tasks that support the renovation efforts and future operations of the lounge. Discussions with their managers will be held to address any employee concerns and provide necessary updates.

Employees will be informed once the lounge closure date is confirmed. SAA customers will be informed of the lounge closure through various communications platforms, the SAA website, SAA Voyager newsletter, and all SAA social media platforms.

Reply:

(a)(b) In terms of section 51 of the National Land Transport Act (NLTA), No, 05 of 2009 as amended, the accountability to issue operating licences/permits is within the ambit of the National Public Transport Regulator, Provincial Regulatory Entities and/or Municipal Regulatory Entities.

The maximum lifespan of an operating licence/permit is seven (7) years. However, some Provinces stagger the validity period to five (5) years for safety and monitoring purposes of operators. Therefore, the existing legislation as amended does not cater for interim route permit applications.

Reply:

1. The department through its lead Agency in road safety, the Road Traffic Management Corporations (RTMC), has developed the festive season road safety plan. This plan is a product of engagements and collaboration between the Department, RTMC, Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA), Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Provinces and Municipalities.

The DOT will be coordinating the implementation of this plan with the RTMC having established an operational centre which will coordinate its implementation.


The department will also use the coordinating structures of the National Road Safety Steering Committee, which is comprised of provincial Heads of Department, SAPS and traffic chiefs, to monitor the implementation of the road safety plan.

2. The department will ensure that all necessary resources from the National Traffic Police are deployed to the 20 identified routes. This forms part of the festive season plan and has already been prioritised as such.

3. (a) Operationalising the road safety plan entails maximising the limited resources at our disposal. Accordingly, a total of 123 new traffic officers will be joining the service in December to augment the existing manpower.

(b) Technologies such as Mobile Vehicle Testing Stations (MVTS), and evidential breath alcohol tests (EBAT) are being used throughout the festive season. The Department and RTMC have partnered with both the private sector and non-state sectors in order to pool our collective resources together and amplify the impact of our interventions.

The RTMC recently hosted a two-day Road Safety Summit which was attended by private sector and civil society representatives. The parties to the Summit committed to working together to achieve the objectives of the National Road Safety Strategy which is aligned with the United Nations Second Decade of Action for Road Safety programme.

Reply:

(a)(i) The Daveyton Station project is at Stage 4 (design process), which deals with the detail design, bill of quantities (BOQ), preparation of construction drawings and tender documents. The construction is planned to go to market in March 2025 in alignment with the commencement of the 2025/26 financial year, with the construction period estimated to be eight (8) months. As a result, the recovery of the Daveyton Station has been shifted to the 2025/26 Fiscal year end.

(ii) With the Eastem Corridor, particularly the Springs-Dunswart-Germiston line, the Boksburg Bridge is near completion, so the handover is expected to be before the end of the 2024/25 financial year. The 3kV traction and 11kV distribution substations are in construction and work is expected to be completed by April 2025, noting that a portion of the railway tracks were stolen (about 8km) and the delivery of the ordered railway tracks is expected at the end of January 2024 (with shipment in progress).The tender for installation is under evaluation, however with the appointment subject to funding allocation, the expected appointment will be in April 2024. The award for the supply and installation of the Overhead Track Equipment (OHTE) has been finalized and contracting is underway. With all aspects considered the resumption of limited train services on the Eastem Corridor is expected in Quarter 4 of the 2025/26 financial year, targeting March 2025.

(b) Procurement processes, the long-lead times required for the delivery of the railway tracks, as well as Capital budget allocation constraints are all aspects that have contributed to the delays experienced.

(2) See (1) above

(3) The above shared milestones will be monitored through the department and the PRASA Board.

Reply:

(1) a) b) (2) The R25 road between Verena and Groblersdal falls under the jurisdiction of the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works Roads and Transport and the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure. Accordingly, the Honourable Member is requested to direct their questions to the relevant Provincial Legislatures.

Reply:

(1 )(a) The basic requirements of each course determine the acceptance of applicants. Each course is set against course outcomes and the outcomes determine the entry requirements. These are factors such as work experience, competencies already achieved, skills, previous courses attended etc.

(b) For online courses, there is no limit. For in-person courses, there is maximum intake of twenty (20) delegates for each course.

(c) In total ACSA has (4) faculties and overall thirty-eight (38) courses. The Airports Operations Faculty Faculty has twenty (20) courses, and Aviation Safety has two (2) courses.

(d) The cost for each cost is attached as Annexure A

(2) When classes are at capacity, a waiting list is maintained for seven (7) days prior to the commencement of a course. If there are no cancellations, the people in the waiting list are enrolled for the next session.

(3) Depending on the course, ACSA uses the rules as determined by the accrediting body. Most of ACSA's courses are accredited and endorsed by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), Intemational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI); and as per their requirements and rules, the admission criteria are adhered to and aligned to the relevant stipulations.

Reply:

(1) (a)(b)(c) There have been several meetings between relevant government stakeholders (the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, the Department of Transport, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMS) and the South African Revenue Service( SARS) )for the purpose of creating synergies over regulating bunkering operations. These relevant stakeholder engagements are continuing to ensure that bunkering operations comply with national legislation and international conventions. Bunkering, if undertaken in an environmentally responsible manner with regards for the risks associated therewith, does not breach any constitutional or international obligations.

Bunkering is not a listed activity as defined in the National Environment Management Act and therefore an Environmental Impact Assessment process would not need to be followed and the activity would not need an Environmental Authorisation prior to commencing.

Existing legislation, such as the Marine (Control and Civil Liability) Act, Section 57 of the National Potts Act, and the And Marine Pollution (Control And Civil Liability) Act 1981 as well as the conditions imposed by permits issued by SAMSA are based on the relevant International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Conventions, to which the Republic of South Africa has acceded. These Acts provide for the protection of the sea from pollution by oil and other harmful substances, including the safety standards for ships to adhere to. These Acts also cater for the master and ship owners' legal obligations in respect of the protection of the sea from pollution.

(2) The official position of SAMSA on bunkering operations is that there is no moratorium in Algoa Bay and as such, the approval process was re-initiated after the release of Marine Notice No.01-2024 for bunker approvals.

(3) (a)(i)(ii)(b)The Minister has instructed the leadership of SAMSA develop a quarterly calendar of meetings with the Offshore Environmental Working Group, the Offshore Operators Stakeholders Forum (OOSF), and other relevant stakeholders, and to provide the outcomes of these meetings to the Ministry.

(4) The report of study commissioned by TNPA is a baseline document that will be used as a guide/reference for decision making on the issuing of licences, including the holding capacity of the region. Furthermore South Africa has been nominated to participate in the IMO GloNoise study, which looks at the mitigation of underwater noise in the shipping industry, which will also assist as a decision-making tool.

The results of the study wilt assist the IMO to formulate operational guidelines which South Africa as a Member State will use to inform the development of the policy framework.

Reply:

1. (a) The issue of ownership of FlySafair is currently before the Courts of law. A decision has not yet been made if FlySafair is failing to comply or otherwise with the legislative requirements regarding ownership and control. The Department will only be in a position to comment thereon when the case is finalised;

b) (i) & (ii) The matter is within the jurisdiction of the Intemational Air Services Council and the Air Services Licensing Council, which are independent statutory bodies responsible for air services licensing matters. The two Councils are dealing with this matter as mandated by the Air Services Act No.115 of 1990 and the Intemational Air Services Act No. 60 of 1993. The timeframes for finalising this matter will be dependent on the outcomes of the litigation that is currently taking place between FlySafair and the Licensing Councils;

2. The decision to revoke an air service license may be made by the Licensing council, but only after following due process as precribed by legislation. The Licensing Councils have commenced with the investigation and, as indicated, the matter is still before the Courts of law;

3. (a) & (b) See (1) and (2) above.

4. (a) & (b) See (2) above.

5. The Honourable Member is requested to direct this query to FlySafair.

Reply:

(1) (2) Please see Annexure 1.

Reply:

1. (a)(b) The nature of maintenance work conducted within the Cape Metro Region on Sundays, comprises of signaling, perway, overhead traction equipment (OHTE) and sub-station work, as outlined in the maintenance report attached as Annexure A.

(a) The two (2) partial corridors that are being recovered on the Central Line arethe Nolungile— Chris Hani and Philippi - Kapteinsklip lines, with the resumption of services planned for the end March 2025.

(c) As the Region is still in the recovery period (as indicated by the extensive work that is being conducted on Sundays, as detailed in Annexure A) , the resumption of Sunday services will not be possible within this current financial year, ending 31st March 2025. However, should services be introduced before the end of March 2025, it would be a very limited service.

(d) As there are two (2) work packages remaining for the Western Cape Region in order to finalize the recovery of lines and improve the Track Quality Index (through the use of Heavy on Track Machines), it is anticipated that the lines will be sufficiently improved to allow for the resumption of Sunday services by 1st July 2025.

2. (a) Almost all the long-distance diesel locomotives that were in use are currently out of service.
The locomotives available that are in service are not reliable to offer a service to long-distance rail passengers, as PRASA's diesel locomotive fleet is nearing the end of its lifespan.

(b) PRASA is engaging the liquidators of Swifambo Rail to get six (6) AFRO 4000 locomotives which are in South Africa released for operations, given that these locomotives have been paid for.

(c) At this stage there is no procurement planned for new long-distance locomotives given the ongoing legal process with the liquidators of Swifambo Rail.

(d) See (c) above.

Reply:

A decision on a strategic equity partner for the SA Airways has riot yet been made. Should such a decision be made, it will be based on several considerations which will enable earlier implementation of expansion to regional and international routes, as well as ensuring the continuing economic viability of the entity.

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