Portfolio Committee on Transport

Draft Minutes of the Proceedings


Date: 20 March 2007
Venue: S12A, First Floor, NCOP Wing
Agenda: Hearings with Department Transport Budget and Strategic plan for
2007-2010

1.Present

African National Congress
Mr JP Cronin (Chairperson)
Ms N Khunou
Mr BL Mashile
Mr OM Mogale
Mr MI Moss
Ms ND Mbombo
Ms MD Nxumalo
Ms B Thompson
Mr PS Gabanakgosi
Mr DG Scheemann

Democratic Alliance
Mr SB Farrow

2. Apologies

Mr NE Magubane - ANC
Mr SA Mshudulu - ANC
Ms LN Moss - ANC
Mr M Swathe - DA
Ms NS Nkabinde - UDM
Mr BE Pule – UCDP

3. The following were in attendance
Mr Mpumi Mpofu: Director-General
Mr Kuben Pillay: Acting Deputy Director- General (Public Transport)
Mr Mathabatha Mokonyama: Acting Deputy Director-General (Integrated Planning)
Mr Jerry Makokoane: Chief Operating Officer
Mr Dan Pretorius: Chief Financial Officer
Mr Skhumbuzo Macozoma: Chief Director: (Integrated Infrastructure Network Development)




4. Proceedings

Ms Mpumi introduced her delegation and presented the strategic plan 2007-2010. The presentation highlighted the following issues.
Overview of the new structure of the department
Strategic overview and policy development
Service delivery environment and challenges
Budget programmes
Expenditure trends


The department in the next 3years will focus on the key areas of delivery and strategic objectives which includes:
Preparations for 2010 Soccer World Cup
Improve public transport
Implement the freight logistics strategy
Integrate road networks
Reform RAF and operationalize RTMC
The Gautrain project and taxi recapitalization, restructuring Shosholoza Meyl were among the key developments that the department will be prioritizing. She said access, safety; security and consumer choice are still the biggest challenges in regard to public transport. Service delivery and regulation would occur through different agencies. When it comes to freight logistics it was said the freight databank project and national freight information system projects are the two national projects currently rolled out.

She stated that the expenditure rose from R6, 2billion in 2003/04 to R21, 4 billion in 2009/10 at an annual average rate of 22,9%. It was stated that the biggest beneficiary is passenger train with a total of R7, 4billion.Public Transport Infrastructure Fund received a R8, 2billion plus R941, 7million up 2006/07.The growth has substantially increased to 33,9% over the MTEF reaching R5, 5billion in 2009/10

5. Issues raised by Members

Members expressed concern about the continued vacant posts (41%), and all agreed that there is a capacity problem within the department.
Members were also concerned with challenges of preparing for 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
There were a number of questions in regard to taxi recapitalization including, statistics of taxis being scrapped in rural and major cities and clarity on approved new vehicles.
Qualified audit report for second year in regard to license credit-card production contract


6.CLOSURE

The Chairperson thanked all Committee Members for their participation and the meeting
adjourned at 13h45.


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Chairperson Date