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Policy Speech 2001/2 for the  Department of transport
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Safety Liaison and Transport

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EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 POLICY SPEECH  2001/02 FOR DEPARTMENT OF PROVINCIAL TRANSPORT
 BY MEC NEER
 13 MARCH 2001



Mr Speaker,
 Premier Rev. Stofile,
 Members of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
 Honoured guests
 Ladies and Gentlemen

Transport is central to sustainable socio-economic development of any nation. Transport provides an invaluable link between the different 
spheres of our society, on the one hand, and a wide range of life-based opportunities, on the other. As a catalyst, a reliable, safe, 
affordable, integrated transport system contributes both directly and indirectly to the improvement of quality of life among the rural and 
urban communities.

People in certain parts of the Province still walk for 2 or 3 hours before they reach any form of public transport- a situation that is no 
longer acceptable to this Government. These communities rely on public transport to access basic health and welfare service centres, 
educational institutions, work place, markets, and other forms of social networking.

The total neglect, segregated investment and lack of strategic and scientific focus to the detriment of Blacks, in particular the rural 
poor, has created the legacy we are grappling to transform and develop.

The provision of an efficient and affordable transport service yields positive by-products such as improved community mobility, effective 
communication and promotion of socio-economic activities. These positive spin-offs contribute directly towards economic growth and 
sustainable rural development, as enshrined in the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy.

The interaction with our stakeholders has, in the past, and still continues to play a vital role in ensuring that the Department remains 
focussed on its core business.

The outcome of this interaction is captured in the following VISION for the Department:

An Efficient, Safe,Affordable, Sustainable and Accessible Transport System.

A number of deliverables and critical outputs have been carefully and systematically prioritised in line with the Department’s MISSION:

To provide and or facilitate a safe and affordable multi-modal transport system which is integrated with land-use to ensure optimal 
mobility of people in the Province of the Eastern Cape in support of provincial economic growth.

We have gained a tremendous amount of experience over the past five to six years. Such experiences have helped us reflect on our ability 
and readiness to adjust according to the challenges of the present time. Simultaneously, through these experiences, have been able to 
diagnose problem areas and other impediments, which curtail improved and accelerated service delivery.

Mr Speaker, before I deal with the strategic direction for the year 2001/2002 allow me to preface that by giving a brief overview of the 
occurrences and events of the past year which have added value to our planning processes for the ensuing year:

* Acceptance of the White Paper on Transport by the legislature, as a policy to guide transportation in the Province of the Eastern Cape;
* Continuation of a giant project towards better utilisation of rail infrastructure in the Province linking East London and Umtata as well 
as East London and King William's Town;
* Democratisation of the Taxi Industry and establishment of a democratically elected Provincial Taxi Council. This will result in the 
reduction in taxi violence;
* Meaningful entrepreneurship is emerging as an integral part of transformation of the taxi industry. This is a precursor for the 
establishment of Taxi Co-operatives;
* Road safety awareness has increased as a result of community-centred campaigns such as "Siyabakhumbula". Bridges of convergence are 
beginning to take root involving Government Departments, religious communities, NGO community, business and other stakeholders;
* The new road traffic signs introduced in 1993 have been updated and now apply throughout the SADC region;
* We have seen an improvement in revenue collection, and a significant savings in the provincial fuel bill due to the introduction of the e-
fuel system;
* Human resource development and capacity building in the areas of Financial Administration and Traffic Control has improved;
* Land transport legislation has been passed nationally and provincially and are now ready for implementation;
* There is improved efficiency in the National Traffic Information Systems (NaTIS);
* Transport Forums have been established to enhance transport planning, conflict resolution, road safety and law enforcement initiatives.

Mr Speaker, while we pride ourselves of these achievements, it is equally true to say that there are areas where our set goals have not 
been fully realised. Some of the outstanding goals include:

* the taxi democratisation and recapitalisation programme;
* restructuring of the department including alignment with the new municipal demarcations;
* transformation of the passenger bus services, especially Mayibuye Transport Corporation and the Transkei Bus Subsidy Scheme;
* revitalisation of the civil aviation.

All these outstanding goals form an integral part of our restructuring agenda for the year 2001/2002.

KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR 2001/2002

Within the framework of the Department’s multiyear strategic plan, we have carefully and systematically selected and prioritised key 
strategic objectives for the year 2001/2002. These strategic objectives are in line with the National and Provincial legislative framework, 
President’s State of the Nation Address, the State of the Province Address by the Premier of the Province of the Eastern Cape, the 
Provincial Growth and Development Strategy as well as the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework.

The Key Strategic Objectives for the year 2001/2002 are summarised as follows:

* A Rural Transport Development Strategy as part of the Provincial Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy will be completed.
* The East London - Umtata Rail Passenger Service will be pursued as this project moves from the feasibility phase to the design phase. We 
will link up with the Departments of Agriculture, and Economic Affairs, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in order to render this project 
the multi-sectoral entity it is designed to be.
* A new East London - King Williams Town Rail Passenger Service will be introduced shortly. This is the first step towards an integrated 
inter-modal transport system involving rail, buses and taxis in the Province of the Eastern Cape.
* The Passenger Bus Subsidy Scheme in the Transkei area will continue, albeit under improved conditions, which will entail the introduction 
of an electronic monitoring system, and a new permit system linked to the subsidy allocation.
* Mayibuye Transport Corporation will be transformed along the lines of entrepreneurship development, as well as the introduction of 
appropriate monitoring and effective financial management and accounting systems.
* A new Bus Passenger Transport contract for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Area will be finalised, taking into account the new challenges 
of the Coega Project.
* A National Taxi Council will be established as the final stage in the democratisation process of the taxi industry.
* The Recapitalisation of the Taxi Industry will be pursued, taking into account, among other things, the needs of the aged and the people 
with disabilities.
* Transport infrastructure improvements, especially in the rural areas, will be prioritised, especially in the previously disadvantaged and 
densely populated areas of our Province. A close working relationship with District Municipalities is vitally important, and will be forged 
in order to achieve this goal.
* Eight (8) vehicle testing stations will be established in strategic areas of our province.
* The department will continue to contribute towards the Urban Renewal Strategy for Motherwell and Mdantsane.
* A bicycle project, " SHOVA LULA" will be introduced as a means of non-motorised, yet efficient and affordable, form of transport for 
learners in the rural and farm schools. This project is a joint venture with the National Department of Transport, district municipalities 
and Provincial Department of Education.
* After July of this year, 2001, the use of yellow numberplates will be unlawful. We will also promote and market the use of Personalised 
and Specific numberplates for revenue collection purposes.
* Conversion of driver’s licences to the card format will be extensively publicised in anticipation of the year 2002 when it will be 
unlawful to operate a motor vehicle without the card type driver’s licence.
* Rigorous steps will be taken to improve our revenue collection plans through a review process of our permit system; tenancy in Umtata 
Airport; revised vehicle registration and licence fee structure; and ensuring payment of road traffic fines. New Agency Agreements with 
District Municipalities will be entered into for purpose of revenue collection.
* The Bisho and Umtata Airports will be restructured and resuscitated in the most cost-effective manner that will promote economic activity 
and tourism in the Province.
* The Government Motor Transport will be transformed in such a way that procurement, maintenance and utilisation of Government vehicles add 
value to service delivery, with minimum financial and security risk to Government. In the process, entrepreneurship development 
opportunities will be explored.
* Traffic Management including Road Safety Education and Law Enforcement will be stepped up through out the year. The existing link with 
the Traffic Departments of District Municipalities and the co-operation with the South African Police Services will be strengthened. It is 
envisaged that the involvement and participation of the Justice Department and their Magistrates and Prosecutors, will be a structured one, 
especially during accident-prone times such as Christmas and Easter.
* HIV/AIDS awareness, in consultation with other relevant role players, will receive high priority.
* The restructuring of the Department will ensure that our district offices are properly aligned with district Municipalities and 
appropriately resourced for service delivery.

BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR 2001/2002

A Total amount of R 243 317 000 has been appropriated to the Department for the year 2001/2002.

Please allow me now to outline how we have allocated the budget of the Department for the year 2001/2002 in order to deliver on the key 
performance areas outlined above. This budget allocation is presented according to the Programmes of the Department:

VOTE 10 TRANSPORT

ALLOCATION FOR 2001/2002: R243 317 000

PROGRAMME        ALLOCATION Rands        SHARE %
1. Administration        34 732 000      14,27
2. Civil Aviation        8 761 000       3,60
3. Traffic Administration        87 470 000     35,95
4. Public Transport      57 485 000      23,63
5. Transport Planning    19 970 000      8,21
6. Government Motor Transport    34 899 000      14,34
TOTAL    243 317 000     100,00

1. administration Total Allocation: R34 732 000.

This Programme renders management support services to the department. These support services include the following:

1.1 Personnel Expenditure: R 22 756 000

Salaries and other related costs in respect of management, provisioning, special programmes unit and financial management are catered for 
under this item.

1.2 Administrative expenditure: R 6 610 000

This item caters for communication services, information technology, as well as travelling expenses for Head Office personnel.

1.3 Stores and livestock: R 1 037 000

This sub programme relates to acquisition of stores items and related consumables, including cleaning material, protective clothing, 
printing and stationery.

1.4 Equipment: R 2 709 000

This provides for the hiring of office equipment, procurement of computers, etc.

1.5 Professional and special services: R 1 620 000

All outside professional services are catered for under this item, e.g. audit fees, consultancy and agency fees.

2. Civil Aviation TOTAL ALLOCATION: R 8 761 000

The main function of the Civil Aviation Programme is to administer and maintain our provincial airports in terms of the Civil Aviation Act 
and regulations.

2.1 Personnel Expenditure :R5 204 000

Provision is made under this item for salaries of officials and employees attached to this division.

2.2 Administrative Expenditure : R712 000

This item caters for subsistence and travelling costs, hotel accommodation, air tickets, maintenance of government vehicles attached to 
this programme and for courier services amongst others.

2.3 Stores and Livestock : R865 000

The printing of log books, trip authority forms, purchase of protective clothing and cleaning material has been budgeted for under this 
item.

2.3 Equipment : R717 000

The above amount will provide for the purchase of navigational aid equipment, fire fighting equipment for fire tenders, computers for 
Umtata airport and office furniture for the control tower at Umtata.

2.4 Professional and special services : R1 263 000

Payment of security as well as municipal services will be made under this sub- item. A further provision has been made for the marketing of 
the provincial airports as well as the promotion of aviation generally in the province.

3. TRAFFIC ADMI

3.1 TRAFFIC SAFETY: R7 188 000

3.1.1 Personnel: R4 742 000

This amount will be spent on personnel costs of this directorate.

3.1.2 Administrative expenditure: R1 474 000

S&T costs R 183 000: Provision is made for road safety officers for accommodation when implementing road safety projects and attending 
meetings out of the office.

R532 870 for subsidised vehicles and R225 000 for Government vehicles running cost: Currently the Directorate has 11 subsidised vehicles 
and 15 Government vehicles. Road users cannot be reached from the office. Therefore, we have allocated larger budgets for subsidised 
vehicles for the Eastern and EG Kei Districts and a larger budget for Government vehicles so that road safety officers have transport.

Part of the strategy for the Arrive Alive campaign are radio adverts. For this purpose R178 500 is budgeted.

3.1.3 Stores & Livestock: R661 000

Mass Communication projects like Arrive Alive, Stray Animals and Ukhuseleko will be implemented. Traffic safety education projects like 
Scholar Patrol, Child in Traffic, Danny Cat and teacher Seminars will also be implemented. For this purpose, R655 991 is made available for 
the development and production of publicity material and educational material.

3.1.4 Equipment: R96 000

Provision is made for office furniture, computers and printers, and audio visual equipment to assist during road safety presentations.

3.1.5 Professional & Special Services: R215 000

R21 000 - Software licensing and maintenance.

R100 000 - Pedestrian hazardous locations are being identified and specific actions will be taken to address these problems Provision is 
made to appoint the CSIR in assisting with the management of the pedestrian safety problem..

R25 000 - Provision is made for Scholar patrol insurance.

R63 000 - Provision is made for catering during the implementation of traffic safety projects.

3.2 Traffic Control Total Allocation: R80 282 000

3.2.1 Personnel : R34 205 000

This amount will be spent on personnel costs of this directorate.

3.2.2. Administrative expenditure : R6 907 000

R1 500 600 for subsidised vehicles, R2 000 000 for Government vehicles running costs: Currently the Directorate has 159 Government patrol 
vehicles, 5 vehicles sponsored by VW South Africa and 26 subsidised vehicles that are used by 305 traffic officers. This is not enough for 
effective law enforcement. A traffic officer can only do proper visible patrol in an area of 50km. With the current status of 185 patrol 
vehicles and 305 traffic officers, covering 47 269 road kilometres, law enforcement will not be fully effective.

More patrol vehicles are needed for visibility and effective policing on our roads to observe whether motorists adhere to road discipline, 
and to create an awareness of traffic law enforcement.

S&T costs R1 500 000 : For traffic officers who sleep out and travel extensively to cover the vast area of this province.

Staff Training : R1 000 000 Twelve of the twenty-two staff members from the supernumerary officials taken over from other departments have 
been trained during the current financial year. The Directorate intends to train the remaining ten officers in the new fiscal year on basic 
training. The rest of the staff will be trained in: driving licence tests, examiner of vehicles, basic firearm training, first aid, 
advanced training, self defence and management skills.

3.2.3 Stores & Livestock :R 2 094 000

Protective clothing : R900 000 for uniforms for the traffic staff.

Stationery : R1 089 000 for summons books & Natis stationary

3.2.4 Equipment : R 560 000

Law Enforcement is the core function of this Directorate and comprises day-to-day supervision of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The 
Directorate will be purchasing modern equipment in order to enhance safety on our roads including 18 speed measuring devices, portable road 
signs, cones, firearms, jaws of life, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, K78 roadblock trailers, alcohol breather testers and screeners.

3.2.5 Professional & Special Services: R5 516 000

R3 500 000 - Maintenance of the Traffman & NaTIS systems

R1 396 000 - Repairs and calibration to speeding & weighbridge equipment

R50 000 - Repairs computers

R 500 000 - Municipal services

R 70 000 - Catering for provincial meetings / launches

3.2.6 Transfer Payments R31 000 000:

This amount will be spent on the construction of Driving Licence Testing Centres & Vehicle Testing Stations in various municipalities of 
the province.

4. PUBLIC TRANSPORT TOTAL ALLOCATION: R57 485 000

The main functions of this division is to facilitate the provision of subsidised public passenger transport ; to implement the mini-bus 
taxi transformation processes and to regulate and control the provision of public transport through the Permission Board.

4.1 Personnel Expenditure: R5 196 000

Salaries and other related costs in respect of Service Bonuses, Medical Aid Allowances, Home Owners’ Allowances etc. are catered for under 
this standard item.

4.2 Administrative Expenditure: R1 315 000

This standard item caters for operational expenditure and includes sub-items like Subsistence and Travelling allowances, Subsidised Vehicle 
allowances, Advertisements and In-Service Training for staff. Provision has been made under this item for the statutory training levy of 1% 
(SETA).

4.3 Stores and Livestock: R20 000

Under this item, nominal provision has been made for stationery that might not be available in the stores, publications such as Government 
Gazettes that are required for the Local Road Transportation Offices, printing and maintenance materials and parts.

4.4 Equipment: R95 000

Provision is made under this sub-item for Office Furniture and Labour Aids, Computer Equipment and Rental of Office Machines including the 
office of the Taxi Registrar.

4.5 Professional and Special Services: R31 357 000

The allocation under this standard item will be used for the following:

* Subsidised Bus Passenger Transport Services in the Transkei Region

An amount of R26 500 000 has been provided for this purpose, as the current 24-month contracts with small bus operators will expire during 
the first half of the 2001/02 financial year.

* In order to monitor the contracted bus services effectively and to train the small bus operators to be contracted for the services in the 
Transkei, the National Land Transport Transition Act provides for the appointment of a Supervising & Monitoring Firm (SMF). An amount of R2 
700 000 has been allocated for this purpose.
* The bus services currently rendered by the Algoa Bus Company in the Port Elizabeth metropolitan area are in the process of being 
redesigned for tender purposes. It is a requirement of the National Department of Transport (NDOT) that a SMF must also be appointed to 
monitor the tendered services. An amount of R1 500 000 has been allocated for this purpose. NDOT will also contribute an amount of R1.5 
million for this purpose.
* R560 000 has been allocated for the appointment of consultants for a study of rural subsidized bus passenger transport and for the 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the training that has been provided to the Taxi Industry, including a forensic audit by the Auditor-
General.
* The rest of the funds under this standard item, R97 000, will go towards computer services and legal services.

4.6 Transfer Payments: R19 502 000

R17 000 000 of the allocation under this standard will go towards the Grant-in-Aid to the Mayibuye Transport Corporation. R600 000 will go 
to the Buffalo City Municipality for a pilot project for the establishment of an Operating License Strategy. The balance of R1 902 000 has 
been allocated for the transformation processes of the Taxi Industry.

5. Transport Planning Total ALLOCATION : r19 970 000

This division is charged with the responsibility to promote the establishment of integrated transport planning in the province and includes 
the formulation, review and monitor implementation of integrated provincial transport policy and to identify transport infrastructure 
needs.

5.1 Personnel Expenditure ( R 1 761 000 ):

To allow for salaries and allowances of staff. It makes provision for the Department to fill 2 of the 12 vacancies currently existing in 
this Directorate with qualified engineers.We hope to fill a further 2 in the next financial year.

5.2 Administrative Expenditure ( R 1 018 000 ):

This item covers normal administrative expenditure incurred in the process of project administration, including S+T and vehicle costs.

5.3 Stores and Livestock ( R 29 000 ):

Printing costs, Stationery and the purchasing of certain technical publications will be covered by this item.

5.4 Equipment ( R 233 000 ):

Provision is made under this item to purchase furniture and computer equipment for new staff as well as to update existing and purchase new 
computer software to enhance our transport planning capacity

5.5 Professional and special services ( R 12 710 000 ):

This includes an amount of R3 500 000 towards the implementation of engineering measures such as road traffic signs and markings, 
guardrails and other geometric improvements to eliminate high accident spots at identified locations.

An amount of R1 000 000 has been earmarked for the implementation of certain requirements as specified in the National Land Transport 
Transition Act 2000 (NLTTA), (Act No 22 of 2000).

Due to the lack of in house capacity and complexities of the projects to be undertaken, the Department will have to engage the services of 
professional engineers/planners from the private sector to assist in undertaking the following projects:

* Provincial Land Transport Framework

The National Land Transport Transition Act in terms of which the Framework is to be undertaken came into operation on 1 December 2000. 
National requirements and guidelines for its preparation will be available shortly. The Act requires an initial framework to be developed 
to guide Land Transport in the Province

* Preparation of a Five-Year Development Plan

The provincial land transport framework must include a list of transport projects to be implemented within a five-year period. The 
Department will undertake the preparation of a five-year development plan through a process of wide consultation and interaction with 
relevant stakeholders

* Provincial Transport Information System

The Department has established a workstation to store transport related data ie traffic counts, trip generations, trip assignment, and trip 
distribution from various land uses and economic investments. The Department intends to engage specialists to identify and develop tailor 
made analytical software for our needs.

* Road Safety Audits

The South African Road Safety Manual is a means to assist road authorities with the evaluation of traffic operations and assessment of road 
safety aspects of their road networks. During the 2000/2001 financial year we started with a pilot project to test the Manual by analysing 
the road between King William's Town and Alice. Once this project has been evaluated we will extend the exercise to other roads in the 
Province. Remedial measures will be recommended to road authorities and financial assistance will be provided towards eliminating traffic 
hazards at dangerous locations.

* Traffic Counting Strategy

During 2000/2001 a Traffic Counting Strategy was developed to enable the optimisation of traffic counting. We will contribute to the 
traffic counting programme envisaged for the coming financial year.

* Linear Referencing

Having completed the foundation work of logging the surfaced provincial roads in the 2000/2001 financial year, the placing of kilometre-
markers at the roadside can now commence. Because of the mutual benefits to both Departments, this project is jointly funded with the 
Department of Roads and Public Works.

* Guidance Signage Plan

Signface designs for all the intersections at trunk and main roads were completed this year. The next phase in which lower order roads will 
be added to the plan will continue in the new financial year. We are working closely with the East Cape Tourism Board in developing tourist 
routes in the Province and the signs and information boards for these.

* East London - Umtata Rail Service

A detailed feasibility study into the revitalisation of a rail service between East London and Umtata has been completed. The findings 
reaffirm that the project has far reaching implications on the economic development of the Province and specifically as a region, which is 
in need of government intervention for the upliftment of its inhabitants. In 2001/2002 we will proceed to the design and implementation 
phases of this project.

* East London - King William’s Town Commuter Rail Service

A Business Plan detailing the requirements for a commuter rail service to be extended from Berlin to King William’s Town is under 
preparation by a task team comprising the relevant authorities ie South African Rail Commuter Corporation, Metrorail, Spoornet, Buffalo 
City and the Department. This Plan is due for completion by April 2001. Once adopted by the relevant authorities, this Plan will form the 
basis for actual implementation. Meanwhile there are plans to have an official launch on 1 May 2001 in order to invite all stakeholders to 
participate in the further development of the project.

* Rural Transport Development Strategy

The National Department of Transport vision for a rural transport strategy is

" &#133; to have transport infrastructure and services in rural areas which will provide the basic means of access and the mobility to 
support the integration of sustainable rural communities into the social and economic life of South Africa. "

On the basis of our and national initiatives the Department intends to further develop and refine this Strategy, which will guide the 
investment in rural transport infrastructure facilities and services in order to ensure maximum benefits to our rural communities.

5.6 Grants-In -Aid To Local Authorities (R4 219 000)

The National Land Transport Transition Act makes a wide range of changes in the way in which transport will be administered in the country. 
It enables and requires the Province to ensure that Transport Plans are prepared for all Transport / Planning Authority areas in the 
Province. The Act allows the MEC responsible for Transport to make moneys available to municipalities or transport authorities to assist 
them in performing their functions in terms of the Act. We are aware of the constraints faced by local authorities and increasing demands 
being put on their available resources, hence this allocation to local authorities.

Once the first cycle of preparing the plans have been completed we should be in a better position to motivate for a more appropriate 
allocation to address the most urgent transport needs.

6. Government Motor Transport: Total Allocation : R34 899 000

The primary function of Government Motor Transport is to facilitate the provision of transport to all Government Departments and Political 
Office Bearers.

6.1. Personnel Expenditure : R25 200 000

The allocation caters for salaries and employment benefits of Government Motor Transport personnel.

6.2. Administrative Expenditure : R3 500 000

This item provides for the running costs of the three government garages, maintenance and licensing of GG vehicles including S+T.

6.3. Stores and Livestock : R812 000

The expenditure to be involved in this item includes consumable stores for servicing of government vehicles, stationery, printing of 
documents, job cards, logbooks, etc.

6.4. Equipment : R2 800 000

The allocation is aimed at addressing the backlogs of withdrawn and auctioned general hire vehicles. It also caters for procurement of 
computers, furniture, etc.

6.5. Professional and Special Services : R2 700 000

This allocation provides for payment of municipality charges, State Attorneys’ fees, security services and other related professional 
services. Also consultancy fees are catered under this item.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I implore all transport stakeholders to support us so that we can act together. Change must go on at a faster pace. Together 
we can speed up the journey to a better life, a united and developed Africa in search of a better world.

I take this opportunity to thank the Standing Committee for Transport for the co-operation and support I received throughout our efforts to 
shape up the Department. Without their selfless efforts we would not be where we are today.

A special word of gratitude goes to all the District Municipalities, community leaders, Government departments at National and Provinces, 
NGO’s, who tirelessly worked with us on aspects of road safety, law enforcement and revenue collection.

I also thank my colleagues in the Executive Council, who have remained supportive at all times.

I thank the Swedish funding agency SIPU for its continued support.

Finally I wish to thank the staff of the Department who have contributed to the efficient running of my Department.

I thank you all.

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