Chairperson, R42 billion exists in this Transport budget and it is being spent, via ANC policy, on infrastructure investment in the country and on regulating prices.
However, the policy of the current government has led to our harbours, becoming the most expensive in the world and our airports, becoming amongst the top three or four most expensive in the world. We have introduced the most unpopular toll roads in Gauteng, and we've seen a slow but steady 20- year collapse of commuter rail - that is Metrorail train services - across the country, as well as of our provincial and national roads, apart from a few. Moreover, this government - over here - has raised over R220 billion via the fuel levy from poor South Africans over the past decade or two while provincial roads and national freeways have not been maintained or upgraded; they have collapsed.
I have a question with two parts for the Minister. Firstly, will the Minister please explain when this government will implement internationally benchmarked and competitive harbour and port charges, and airport taxes, and a regulatory regime to prevent the country from getting into this catastrophic situation again in future? We are pricing ourselves out of the international markets, and ruining tourism and trade, and jobs are being lost in the process.
Secondly, will the Minister indicate to this House what has happened to the approximately R200 billion raised via the fuel levies over the past 20 years, which could have been used to maintain and upgrade our roads, especially in Gauteng where people now have to pay again? Thank you. [Applause.]