Press Statement dated 24 October 2018
The United National Transport Union (UNTU) is furious and shocked that the newly appointed Finance Minister Tito Mboweni wants to take three billion rand from the budget of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to fund the Gauteng freeway improvement project of the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral).
“Prasa provides passenger rail to the poorest of the poor. Trains are the cheapest form of transport for millions of workers. Sanral’s services is limited to those South African’s fortunate enough to drive a motor vehicle,” says Sonja Carstens, Acting General Secretary of UNTU.
Carstens says according to the Adjustments Appropriation Bill the three billion rand from Rail Transport will be taken from Prasa which includes the Mainline Passenger Services, known as the long-distance passenger commuter train Shosoloza Meyl, Metrorail, other capital programmes, maintenance operations and inventories.
“The three billion rand will be moved to Road Transport to fund Sanral’s Gauteng freeway improvement project and the non-toll network. This can never be beneficial to the majority of South Africans. It contradicts the South African Government’s plan to invest in South Africa’s transport infrastructure to reduce road deaths and traffic congestion,” says Carstens.
UNTU is of the view that Mboweni’s proposals is irrational. The Union will appeal to the legislature not to approve this virement.
According to Carstens Prasa desperately needs billions to upgrade its infrastructure and to do proper maintenance.
Just last week the Auditor General Kimi Makwetu gave Prasa a qualified audit opinion on its 2017-18 annual report and financial statements and stated that he was uncertain if Prasa can continue as a going concern.
Carstens says on 25 October President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch Government’s New Train Manufacturing Plant in Dunnottar, Nigel.
“The sad reality is that the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) only allows the new trains to operate on a pilot project between Pretoria and Pienaarspoort. The project will not be rolled out to the rest of the country unless Prasa is able to provide a reliable and safe service,” says Carstens.
On 15 October Judge Cassim Sardiwalla, in the North Gauteng High Court, ordered Prasa to adhere to the safety requirements of the RSR.
The Judge is now the case manager of a comprehensive plan to address the RSR concerns it had when it withdrew Prasa’s safety operating permit.
“Without the three billion rand, Prasa will not have the funds to implement the court order,” says Carstens.
Issued on behalf of United National Transport Union (UNTU) by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer