On Friday, 23 February 2018, the previous Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi launched train service between Johannesburg and Musina for long distance-travellers to commute directly between Gauteng and Limpopo. This will be operated by Shosholoza Meyl, the long-distance rail division of Prasa.

Inside information that I received indicates that no feasibility study nor business case has been prepared to justify this service. To make it even worse, no discussion took place about this new rail link with the top executives of Prasa. In fact, this service was launched and subsequently closed in the 2013-2014 financial year as there a low demand for this link which also proved to be too expensive.

Suddenly Maswanganyi had launched this line without any feasibility studies or needs analysis. It is clear; Maswanganyi was in a desperate scramble to impress the President so that he would get re-appointed onto the new Ramaphosa cabinet. How disgusting that Joe Maswanganyi and his cronies had blatantly used state resources for their own personal needs!

Ex-minister Maswanganyi claimed that there would be more launches and installations of Shosholoza Meyl across South Africa and across the borders. Media reports indicated that Maswanganyi had planned to introduce routes such as Johannesburg to Mafikeng and Botswana, Johannesburg to Nelspruit and Mozambique, as well as a new route from East London to Mthatha and Durban to East London.

I will be asking the new Transport Minister, Blade Nzimande official questions through the Parliamentary process about these additional rail services. In each case, documented justification needs to be provided for each service, as well as what processes were followed. Unless a new service proves to be viable, it should not be introduced.

With a new Minister heading Transport, his replies will prove to be most interesting!

 

Issued by DA