MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT
21 September 2000
MEDIA BRIEFING
Transcript of Minister Dullah Omar’s comments
Progress Report – HIV/AIDS: The Role of the Transport Sector
Highlight Presentation Notes for the Minister
SUMMARY
Minister Omar outlined current items on the agenda of the Ministry of Transportation, including the development of legislation for a setting up a rail authority and a ports authority. He also discussed road safety, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO), the National Land Transport Transition Act, the transformation of the road passenger transport system, the minibus taxi industry, poverty alleviation projects, flood damage, aviation liberalisation, and infrastructure development.
Discussion
(Q) I read that the investigation to the Road Accident Fund was shut. Also that Mr van Oudshoorn [of the Road Accident Fund] had been retrenched. Why?
(A) Minister Omar: The retrenchment was an independent RAF Board decision. An investigation report was presented to the old Board and no decision was taken. The new Board, of which Mr Naidoo is the Chairperson, is going to consider the findings of the investigation. He is working to expose fraud and corruption.
(Q) Mr George Maluleke is on the Board. Is this not a conflict of interest? [Mr Maluleke is a partner in law firm that was opposing, through the courts, the manner in which the investigation into the Road Accident Fund was being conducted]
(A) Minister Omar: Nominations are invited and he was nominated. The names of all those nominated were published for comments and objections. His name received none. We are aware of his views but will not exclude him on that basis. If and until I see irregularities, I will not act against him.
(Q) You are talking about R30 million for the Road Traffic Infringement Agency dealing with road traffic offences – will there be special courts for these offences? And where is the manual of new road traffic signs?
(A) Minister Omar: The manual will be made available. The Road Traffic Management Corporation, dealing with traffic police, robots, etc, will be on a "user pay" principle. So motorists will pay more. Yes, there will be a separate agency for the administration and adjudication of road offences. This has been tried and tested in other countries. Less than 20 – 25% of road fines are paid. This means a significant loss of revenue. We want provinces and local authorities to benefit from this.
(Q) Do you mean the price of petrol will go up again?
(A) Minister Omar: No, not petrol but there may be higher licence fees and fines. The pooling of resources will minimise the increase.
(Q) Will this be under national authority?
(A) Minister Omar: We will take up where provincial resources are inadequate.
(Q) Most of the emphasis has been on the taxi industry. Will this continue to be the case, that resources will be channelled to taxis, rather than rail? I would like to get rid of my car and take the train to work.
(A) Minister Omar: So would I. I have focused today on our immediate plans, but we want to reverse the decline of the rail system. We aim to make rail the preferred transportation. We want it to be safe, efficient and affordable.
(Q) Is this the thinking that underlies the proposed Pretoria – Johannesburg line?
(A) Minister Omar: That is the brainchild of the Gauteng provincial government and I support it. But this line provides for people who can afford it, it does not replace the need for affordable transportation.
(Q) What time frames are you looking at?
(A) Minister Omar: There is a pilot project on the East Rand. We want to be able in 2003 to review the pilot. We are also devolving commuter rails to the provinces so less money will be spent on administration and more on rail provision.
(Q) There is a scientific study on the taxi recapitalisation process. When will the results be available?
(A) Minister Omar: A task team was set up three months ago. I can’t say when the results will be available. There should be a report by the end of the year before the recapitalisation process is implemented.