Hon Chairperson, hon Minister Peters, MECs present, in particular our MEC from Gauteng, Madame Faith Mazibuko, an interesting thing about transport is that our mayor of Ekurhuleni yesterday expressed deep emotions when a six-year-old child was killed in a hijacking incident. We in the ANC are equally grieved, particularly at this time when the people of Palestine - while they are celebrating Eid - have to suffer such pain, particularly the people of Gaza. We want to say to all our Muslims in South Africa: Eid Mubarak!
My paper will concentrate on transport, ANC policy and the National Development Plan, NDP. The ANC's 52nd National Conference characterised our emerging developmental state as one that must maintain its strategic role in shaping the key sectors of the economy, including the national transport and logistics system. It went on to declare that whilst the forms of state intervention would differ, the overriding objective would be to intervene strategically in transport to drive growth in the economy and, more broadly, development.
Critical for the debate in the NCOP is to answer the question what the impact of the Budget Vote and the policies is that underpin it, on improving the quality of life of those who reside in the provinces and the rural areas. This means examining the impact and implications of the vote over the next 12 months.
A key ingredient of future success will be a vision for transport shared by all key role-players, backed by co-ordinated and integrated planning and decision-making. The ultimate objective should be to ensure that the road and the rail networks are not in competition, but rather complement one another.
The department's strategic objectives seek to respond to the governing party's policy directives that shape and influence programmes and the budget. The strategic plan has been integrated with the New Growth Path and the Industrial Policy Action Plan, as reflected in the infrastructure roll- out. The assessment of the implications of the NDP for the improvement of public transport planning and integration with spatial planning has been undertaken.
We want to put on record our appreciation to the words expressed here on behalf of the DA, in also supporting the NDP. Together, we can do more.
The assessment of the NDP as a programme guide to 2030 reflects the need for the renewal of the commuter rail fleet. Furthermore, the NDP proposes a number of policies and planning priorities, including creating workable urban transport solutions, strengthening and optimising freight corridors, providing long-distance passenger transport options and ensuring rural access and mobility.
At its 52nd National Conference in 2007, the ANC resolved that government should maintain its strategic role in shaping the key sectors of the economy. This included the national transport and logistics system with the overriding objective to intervene strategically in these sectors to drive the growth, development and transformation of the structure of our economy.
We are informed that this morning some people working here in Parliament had difficulty travelling by train from Goodwood to Cape Town. Something must be done. We are, in terms of rail infrastructure, concerned that the major challenge is that the bulk of the rail stock is nearing the end of its working life.
Transnet is therefore embarking on a comprehensive rail upgrade that intends to place rail at the centre our freight and commuter movement, with over R40 billion to be invested in transport rail infrastructure and services over the next few years.
These new investments in new signalling and rolling stock will go a long way to positioning rail as the mode of choice, and a reliable and efficient mass mover both in the commuter and long distance environment.
Recapitalising the rail business also means reinvesting in the existing rail network and investing in new lines in order to respond in a decisive way to the changing spatial and economic imperatives.
We have not done enough in terms of sharing the maritime transport element of the budget. The mandate of maritime transport is to contribute to a safe, secure, environmentally friendly and efficient industry. Maritime transport has to enhance economic development and to this end we are encouraged by the progress that is being made with the crafting of a maritime shipping policy, which we are informed should be ready by the end of 2014. This will provide a framework for promoting businesses such as ship recycling and ship repair within the maritime transport industry. Being players in Brics, we recognise even more the importance of maritime transport.
The ANC-led government's strategic global maritime interests and international obligations include providing safety in navigation and shipping, ensuring freedom of the seas and security of shipping supply chains, as well as the protection of the marine environment.
Let me go to road transport. An important objective is to maintain and preserve coal haulage roads through the rehabilitation of 2 200 km of roads by 2014 and engaging Transnet and Eskom to facilitate the ongoing migration of coal from road to rail.
In its assessment of social and economic development, the NDP emphasises the necessity of sound economic infrastructure as a precondition for economic growth. We have also looked at the Medium-Term Strategic Framework and transport and to say that, firstly, there is the intensification of the passenger rail programme; secondly, improving public transport systems through an integrated transport approach; thirdly, ensuring a sustainable road transport infrastructure network through the provincial roads maintenance grant; and, fourthly, the continuation of investment in the upgrading and expansion of the country's rail, port and pipeline infrastructure as part of the effort to shift freight transport from road to rail.
The ANC's manifesto is an important tool in our arriving at these policy positions. The commitments that we have from the manifesto 2014-19 are, firstly, that the freight rail system will be modernised over the next five years with 1 100 km of new railway lines, 15 000 new train coaches and wagons and 1 300 new locomotives that will be manufactured. The plant has already started the manufacturing in the west of Pretoria, as we heard during the debate with Minister Rob Davies.
The ports system will be expanded, with additional capacity added at major ports such as Ngqura, Durban and Cape Town. Already we have heard earlier in the comment from the MEC of Transport of the Eastern Cape the processes that are unfolding with the airport and it is not good enough to have a good airport - we know that the Ngqura development will lead to a lot of business happening in that part of our beloved country.
Thirdly, world-class passenger trains will be introduced from 2015 as 3 600 new, modern coaches will replace outdated trains. The safety and comfort of millions of commuters, in addition to opening of new passenger railway lines, are important. Investment in improved passenger transport systems through the development of bus rapid transit systems to more cities, such as Nelspruit, Bloemfontein, East London, Polokwane, Msunduzi, Ekurhuleni and George are part of this ANC manifesto.
Finally, the improvement of our public transport system, we believe, will create many new jobs and contribute to skills development as buses, taxis, locomotives and trains will be manufactured and assembled locally. Localisation will create jobs. These interventions are game changers. Halala ANC, Halala! [Applause.] Mr T M KAUNDA (KwaZulu-Natal): Hon Chairperson of this House, the hon Minister and her team, the hon Chief Whip, chairperson of the select committee, hon members and all dignitaries, good afternoon. It is indeed a great honour to be invited to participate in this departmental budget debate of 2014-15.
At the outset, it is important to indicate that the Department of Transport has inherited narrow road networks, narrow from apartheid, because they were designed to cater for the minority. Consequently, our infrastructure is visibly ageing and therefore evidently unable to cope with the volume of traffic that is ever increasing. This has a direct impact on the carnage and fatalities that we are experiencing on our roads, which are currently costing the South African economy an estimated amount of R306 billion each year.
The late former President of the ANC and the President of the Republic, Dr Nelson Mandela, on 14 April 1992, when addressing the National African Federated Transport Organisation, Nafto, at a gala dinner had this to say and I quote:
It is our view that the transport industry in South Africa serves as a basic integrating factor. We wish to encourage further co-ordinated development of this sector, since people's mobility has an enormous impact on access to education, health, information and communication.
True to his assertion, the ANC-led government has, through its strategic investment in this sector, made it possible that with every passing day since 1994 South Africa has enjoyed good connectivity on road networks, thus making access to services, places of work, places of study and entertainment not only possible, but also easy to access.
The KwaZulu-Natal portfolio committee, in its quest to entrench democracy through public participation during Transport Month convened a number of stakeholder interactive sessions. The following issues were raised.
Firstly, the proposed tollgate in Isipingo, which is part of the N2 Wild Coast toll road development, which links KwaZulu-Natal and East London, should not continue and we must clarify the position of the KwaZulu-Natal government and the legislature. We are not opposed to the user-pay method, because this is a valid principle and the system that is applied in many countries.
Given over-tolling in the province, the portfolio committee made the resolution to liaise with the national portfolio committee with the view of persuading the portfolio committee against this proposed toll. We made our representations in 2011. In this regard, we are, however, still awaiting the response from the Department of Transport, of course through the SA National Road Agency Limited, Sanral. Secondly, regarding learner transport, we have been informed that there is no final policy relating to the implementation of this service and responsibility. Hence, there is still a high level of fragmentation. This responsibility is located in different departments and provinces, and we do appeal to the Department of Transport to fast-track the process of finalising this important policy.
Thirdly, regarding motor licences, the issues that were raised very sharply were that the provinces are charging different tariffs. As a result, people are looking for the cheapest provinces. For better control and accountability, it is suggested, given the unitary nature of South Africa, that the process of developing a policy that is unfolding in the department in this regard should be fast-tracked.
Furthermore, it was raised that tariffs should be standardised and no vehicle should be tested outside its area of jurisdiction in order to eliminate the element of fraud and corruption. Consistent with concerns raised by the truck drivers is the fact that owners insist on testing vehicles outside the province of KwaZulu-Natal to get roadworthiness approvals that they don't deserve.
With due respect, the province that is always quoted in this regard is the Mpumalanga province. To avoid fraudulent roadworthiness certificates, which have caused most truck accidents in KwaZulu-Natal, it is recommended that the Department of Transport finalises the alignment of this proposal with policies and legislation where possible.
Truck drivers also proposed that an amendment should be effected in relation to the issuing of fines and sentences relating to fraudulent motor certificates and roadworthiness certificates. They proposed that fines should be directed to owners, as most drivers are forced to break these traffic laws by driving trucks that are unroadworthy, due to the socioeconomic challenges. They fear losing employment and they become vulnerable and unable to say no. In this regard, it is clear that only the Department of Transport can intervene.
The above proposed changes are not intended to encourage people to breach traffic laws and regulations. Law-enforcement is sacrosanct.
The last issue that we wish to raise is that most of the communities and stakeholders in KwaZulu-Natal have commended the Department of Transport for its investment in the development and maintenance of road infrastructure. This is evident in the impact that infrastructure has on the lives of ordinary people, especially those who are living in deep rural areas. Indeed, the construction of vehicle and pedestrian bridges, new roads and their maintenance, through Operation S'hamba Sonke, have totally changed the face of our rural communities. Government has introduced a progressive Taxi Recapitalisation Programme in 1999 as an attempt to address challenges in the taxi industry. Admittedly, significant progress has been made thus far, though we think the Department of Transport and the taxi industry must do more to win over those who are still cynical about this programme.
While there are some challenges in the transport sector, it can be said in no uncertain terms that through better transport and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, today is better than yesterday and tomorrow is guaranteed to be even better than today. It is on this basis that it is impossible not to support this budget allocation, as it is geared towards moving South Africa forward by creating a safe, reliable, efficient, affordable, accessible and quality transport system. I thank you. [Applause.]