Media Statement: Committees on Transport and Public Enterprises Hear Vandalism and Lack of Funding Hamper Rail

Parliament, Wednesday, 8 June 2022 - The Portfolio Committee on Transport, and the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises heard that dealing with theft and vandalism of rail infrastructure will significantly improve reliability on rail particularly on the Johannesburg Durban corridor.

The Department of Transport, Transnet, and Passenger Rail Agency SA (PRASA) briefed the committees today in a joint meeting on challenges facing rail infrastructure.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Mosebenzi Zwane, said the committees noted the presentation on the road to rail strategy.

He said: "This is an important intervention that should be implemented in order to lessen the burden on our roads. Rail is central to government efforts of not only moving goods to port cities, but also improving the passenger rail transportation."

The strategy that was presented detailed challenges that entities tasked with the rail function are faced with, and the presentation included loss of revenue, high volumes of goods being moved in trucks, vandalism of rail infrastructure, and backlog of goods that needs to be shipped.

The committees also heard that following the recent flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, Transnet operations between Johannesburg and Durban had been largely affected. Mr Zwane said it appeared that the urgent work concerned theft, and vandalism to rail infrastructure and funding.

"It is urgent for government to nip vandalism of rail infrastructure in the bud and do what is necessary to ensure that cable theft is stopped. From the side of Transport, we are concerned with the lasting negative impact this criminality has on the transportation of passengers and linking of them with economic opportunities," added Mr Zwane.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, MR MOSEBENZI ZWANE.

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee's Media Officer:

Name: Sibongile Maputi (Mr)

Parliamentary Communication Services

Cell: 081 052 6060

E-mail: [email protected]

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.