1. Thank you Hon. MEC Nkonyeni for this report and the Hon. Chair Mtshali.
2. The Hon. Premier stated that R1 million was given from the Solidarity Fund for the recent floods and Hon. Dube-Ncube stated that the promised R1 billion will be based on spend and reclaims from National, hence a plan to spend must be prioritised for damaged roads, bridges, drainage and other transport infrastructure.
3. The historical dispute between Provincial, local and rural roads which are semi-gravel or sandy roads eg: semi-rural Emona, outside Tongaat needs urgent resurfacing. Stranded learners is really heartsore in rural areas.
4. The MF will focus on Programme 2 Transport infrastructure due to underspending. The R102 has severe bush and grass overgrowth onto tar and plant ingrowths on bridges in Chatsworth, for example, are sitting time bombs and must be cleaned. The departments EPWP unit can be fully engaged to save existing structures. I acknowledge such work has started on the N2 near the toll. I acknowledge the Hon. MEC is always responding to the constant danger of cows on the N2. Farmer engagement is critical.
5. Critical posts must include logistics experts, civil engineers, hydrologists and project managers. Yes, morale is low for RTI staff, especially the red-tape in responding immediately to accidents due to the almost 1 hour delays for go-aheads from seniors. Please cut the red-tape, Hon. MEC.
6. The department must also look at alternate road surfaces to tar, please consider cement. The tragic loss of lives of motorists being swept away, attempting crossing bridges, like the Tongaat family must awaken our conscience for the need to use road safety signage appropriately on bridges and elsewhere. Chevron markers to signal danger levels of rising water warning motorists to turn back must be installed. More road safety awareness campaigns must be embarked on for disaster situations, do’s and don’ts.
7. We welcome the refocus on diversity of road transport modes rather than routes which resulted in mafia operations. These have hurt public transport in terms of monopolisation and safety hazards, bankrupting the Road Accident Fund, whilst burdening the department of Health and SASSA for disability grants and the need for centres of excellence. The taxi industry should be liable too for this quality of peoples lives.
8. The MF supports the Transport budget of R12, 474 billion for the 2022/23 financial year.
9. Thank you.

Hon. S. Thakur-Rajbansi