Hon Chair and hon Minister, you have noted a list of some notable successes on your side and we acknowledge that, but we need to address important problems as well.
Minister, openbare vervoer is steeds baie gebrekkig en word sonder behoorlike planne uitgevoer. 'n Holistiese vervoerplan is uiteindelik nodig om aan Suid-Afrika se behoeftes te voldoen. 'n Voorbeeld van sodanige skewe beplanning is dat die Minister in 'n geskrewe antwoord aan my oor die sinvolheid van die e-tolstelsel aangedui het dat die e-tolstelsel motoriste sal dwing om gebruik te maak van openbare vervoer.
In reaksie daarop is die vraag, watter openbare vervoer? Openbare vervoer vir arm gemeenskappe is onveilig en amper nie-bestaande vir die middelklas en diegene in die platteland. Daar is ook 'n nasionale vervoerreguleerder nodig om alle fooie te reguleer tot voordeel van die gebruiker, insluitende die fooie vir e-tolpaaie en ander tolpaaie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Minister, public transport remains very poor and is implemented without proper planning. A holistic transport plan is actually needed to meet South Africa's needs. An example of such distorted planning is that in a written reply on the sense of the e-tolling system the Minister indicated that the e-tolling system would force people to make use of public transport.
In reaction to that there is the question, what public transport? Public transport for poor communities is unsafe and it is almost non-existent for the middle class and those in the rural areas. A national transport regulator is also needed to regulate all the fees to the benefit of the consumer, including the fees for e-toll roads and other toll roads.]
I wish to address three huge problems that are facing the department. The first problem arose due to poor planning and the lack of proper public consultation, known as the infamous e-tolls. The hugely expensive toll system carries no legitimacy in the eyes of the public. The ANC in government is faced with tax revolt as people have resolved not to pay e- tolls. Apparently, the SA National Roads Agency has now appointed two prosecutors to investigate possible prosecution of nonpayers. The trouble with this strategy is that the ANC will further alienate road users and will face new constitutional challenges arising from those arrests.
Further to this, one has to ask why Sanral is not instituting legal action against the e-toll construction companies that colluded to keep prices artificially high. The SA Competition Commission has already given Sanral the green light, yet Sanral is only interested in prosecuting the regular person. Surely Sanral could claim a substantial amount back of the e-toll capital expenses if they prosecuted those construction firms. The question is, why not? Why prosecute the public when those companies have stolen from the public purse? That needs to be investigated.
Die tweede probleem het ontstaan weens die wanbestuur van Transnet se pensioenfondse, wat nou gelei het tot 'n eis van by die R85 miljard teen Transnet en die regering. Dit is die grootste regseis in die geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika. Sou die eis slaag, kan Transnet geen een van sy beplande uitbreidingsprogramme voltooi nie weens 'n gebrek aan geld en weens 'n gebrek aan kredietstatus. Daardie hofsaak begin volgende Maandag. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The second problem came about through the mismanagement of Transnet's pension funds, which has now led to a claim of around R85 billion against Transnet and the government. This is the biggest legal claim in South African history. Should this claim succeed, Transnet will be unable to complete any of its planned development programmes because of a lack of money and a lack of credit status. That court case starts next Monday.]
Hon Minister, the third problem is the state's patent inability to adhere to its own laws, like the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences, Aarto. The testing of this Act in Johannesburg and Pretoria has failed dismally on many fronts. For instance, the metro police have usurped the role of the Road Traffic Infringement Agency and they intimidate the public to pay illegal fines to the Johannesburg council, while illegally blocking the issuance of licences based on outstanding, yet illegal fines.
Minister, dit is dalk goeie advies om eers die basiese reg te kry voordat ambisieuse projekte, soos die e-tolstelsel en Aarto - die Administratiewe Beregtiging van Padverkeersmisdrywe. - wat tot dusver net kaders en korrupte amptenare ryk gemaak het, aangepak word. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Minister, it may be good advice to get the basics right first, before tackling ambitious projects such as the e-tolling system and Aarto - the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences - which up to now has only enriched cadres and corrupt officials. Thank you.]