Once again the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters and the Deputy Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga, spent a considerable amount of time with the Portfolio Committee during the budget process. My experience tells me that this is a rare occurrence and the Democratic Alliance therefore appreciates your presence during our deliberations.
However, it appears that this is where it ends. Daily, one encounters transport-related problems and the Minister and her deputy are nowhere to be found.
The e-tolling system is arguably one of the biggest transport issues presently on the lips of South Africans, which the public continues to almost unanimously reject.
Virtually all business and civil society entities denounced the e-toll scheme and blamed its existence for the high, negative impact on the socio-economic conditions in the region.
On November 4, Sanral did an about turn and decided to engage with the Makhura e-toll Advisory Panel. This resulted in a series of blunders, heightening public anger, particularly Minister Dipuo Peters’ comment that a fuel levy increase of R3.65 would be required to fund the GFIP (Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project).
It is clear that although government is saying the correct thing: in that rail is the backbone of public transport, its actions contradict this. Just like last year, the largest amount in the budget is still allocated to roads and its infrastructure. Rail continues to be treated as a side issue.
Road Safety
Again I repeat myself; I bring up one of the Minister’s other monumental failures; her inability to stem the tide of deaths on our roads. A prime example was the cancellation by the Minister of the 2014 Road Safety Summit on short notice to avoid being embarrassed because the recommendations that emanated from the 2013 Summit had not been implemented.
South Africa was ranked 177th out of 182 countries studied for road fatalities last year. These fatalities result in a huge socio-economic cost, estimated at R306-billion per annum.
Minister, do something! Anything to reduce deaths on our roads.
Manny de Freitas, DA Shadow Minister of Home Affairs
