Department Of Transport News Section

Minister Ndebele on SA Roadlink bus crash

Wed, 16 May 2012 03:55:47 +0200

16 May 2012

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has conveyed condolences to the families of those killed in a road crash involving a SA Roadlink bus in the Free State this morning (16 May).

According to Free State traffic authorities, five people were killed when the SA Roadlink bus they were travelling in overturned on the N1, 30km from Gariep, towards Bloemfontein at about 4.45am today. The bus was carrying 28 passengers.

“We want to convey condolences to the families of those killed in the road crash in the Free State this morning (16 May), and wish the injured a speedy recovery. The South African Police, in conjunction with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) as well as an independent team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists, have commenced investigations into this crash. We call upon the investigation team to ensure that those responsible for these unnecessary deaths face the full might of the law. Officials from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) are also providing assistance to the affected families.

“Over the past four months (January to April 2012), more than 17,343 un-roadworthy vehicles, mostly buses and taxis, have been discontinued from use as part of the new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP). During the same period, 4,067,297 vehicles and drivers were checked, 1,457,516 fines issued and 24,703 drivers arrested, including 7,017 for drunk driving, 378 for reckless and/or negligent driving, 908 for excessive speed, 391 for overloading, 12,975 for outstanding warrants of arrest, 446 for not being in possession of valid public transport permits, 279 for false documentation, 208 for not being in possession of valid driving licences and 2,101 for various other offences.

Although a slight year-on-year reduction in road deaths has been recorded, a great deal of work must still be done in line with the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. Enlist as a Friend of the Decade of Action. Together, we can put an end to deaths and injuries on our roads,” said the Minister.

More than 24,000 motorists arrested in first quarter of 2012

Mon, 14 May 2012 03:15:50 +0200

14 May 2012

More than 24,000 motorists have been arrested in the first quarter of 2012, as part of the New National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP) and million-a-month vehicle check announced by Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele as of 1 October 2010.

From January to April 2012, 24,703 drivers were arrested including 7,017 for drunk driving, 378 for reckless and/or negligent driving, 908 for excessive speed, 391 for overloading, 12,975 for outstanding warrants of arrest, 446 for not being in possession of valid public transport permits, 279 for false documentation, 208 for not being in possession of valid driving licences and 2,101 for various other offences.

During the same period, 4,067,297 vehicles and drivers were checked, 1,457,516 fines issued and 17,343 un-roadworthy vehicles discontinued from use.

Minister Ndebele has called upon more citizens to be ambassadors for road safety. “We call upon all law abiding road users to continue to conduct themselves in a manner that says: I’m responsible. Road Safety is my responsibility.

We encourage them to be ambassadors for road safety, and play their part wherever they find themselves in making our roads safer. This month (May 2012) marks one year since the launch of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, which aims to reduce road deaths around the world by 50% by 2020. As government, we will ensure that everyday is safe on our roads. These deaths and injuries not only cause enormous pain and suffering to the victims and their families, but also costs our economy billions of rands each year. Enlist as a Friend of the Decade of Action. Together, we can put an end to deaths and injuries on our roads,” said the Minister.

Statement by Department of Transport on matters relating to the SANRAL CEO

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:09:23 +0200

11 May 2012

The Department of Transport has noted a news report carried by the Mail and Guardian newspaper suggesting that a certain Mr. Chris Hlabisa “tops the list” for the position of Chief Executive Officer of SANRAL.

The report is devoid of any grain of truth, misleading and can only be aimed at causing confusion and advancing narrow self-interests at the expense of the Department and SANRAL’s currency.

The insinuation that Mr. Hlabisa is “Ndebele’s buddy” is a figment of someone’s imagination aimed at casting aspersion over a professional working relationship.

It should further be noted that Minister Ndebele has been in the Transport Sector for the past 18 years and common sense would dictate that during these two decades, he would have interacted and worked with several professionals within this field.

We wish to put it on record that the Board of Directors of SANRAL is responsible for the recruitment and selection of the agency’s CEO, not the Department or Minister of Transport.

The Board will within a reasonable period of time undertake a thorough and legitimate process of finding a suitable candidate to steer SANRAL forward.

Once the Board finalizes the process and agrees on a candidate, it will request the Minister of Transport to table its recommendation before Cabinet, which has the authority to appoint or not to appoint.

The Board must be given space and support as they work towards maintaining stability at SANRAL and ensuring that the agency continues to deliver quality road networks to the people of South Africa.

We are confident that the Board has the necessary capacity to carry out this process with due diligence and within the confines of the relevant statutes.

We urge people to desist from spreading untested rumours with the mischievous intention to undermine legitimate processes.

Engineering executive Koos Smit announced as acting CEO of SANRAL

Wed, 09 May 2012 02:23:36 +0200

9 May 2012

SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) engineering executive Koos Smit will act as its CEO when Nazir Alli leaves in June, it said on Wednesday.

He would remain in the role while the board undertook the recruitment process, said board chairman Tembakazi Mnyaka.

"He is an engineer of great experience and is widely known in the industry for his contributions to the agency's successful development and maintenance of South Africa's national road network.

"The board has every confidence that Mr Smit will ensure that the daily operations of Sanral continue at the high level for which the agency is known."

He said the board took note of speculation about Alli's sudden resignation.

Media reports suggested he was the "fall guy" for problems encountered in getting the public to accept the introduction of toll roads in Gauteng.

These included a court interdict granted in favour of the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance to stop the start of electronic tolling.

Alli had not said why he was leaving in his resignation letter, and Sanral "did not believe it necessary in the circumstances to try to explore with him his personal deliberations and reflections", said Mnyaka.

"We can be certain, however, that this was Mr Alli's own choice. He was not asked to resign. In fact, in the recent performance assessment of the CEO, the board assessed him as well above average in his performance.

"It is widely acknowledged that Sanral's record of delivery under Mr Alli has made it one of the best-performing state owned enterprises for a number of years.

"Further, the agency has been independently named an employer of choice for two consecutive years. We believe this decision of a chief executive with a long record of service and achievement should be respected rather than interrogated," he said.

Transport Minister comments on the resignation of SANRAL CEO Nazir Alli

Tue, 08 May 2012 02:08:06 +0200

8 May 2012

Transport Minister Mr. Sibusiso Ndebele has been informed of the resignation of Mr. Nazir Alli, Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) by the agency’s board of directors.

The board formally informed the Minister and Department of Transport that at their meeting yesterday (7 May 2012), they resolved to accept Mr. Alli’s resignation.

The board further informed Minister Ndebele that Mr. Alli has agreed to continue in his post until 3 June 2012 to assist with the hand-over process.

The board has also indicated to the Minister that they are working on appointing a person to act as CEO when Mr. Alli eventually leaves the organization, until the recruitment and selection process for a new CEO has been finalized. The board will provide further details in due course in this regard.

Mr. Alli will continue to work with SANRAL on outstanding critical matters such as the processes related to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and the investor road shows.

Minister Ndebele has thanked Mr. Alli for his sterling contribution during his tenure at the helm of SANRAL.

“On behalf of the transport family, we express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Alli for his tireless efforts and contribution since the inception of SANRAL in 1998.

Under his leadership, South Africa developed a road network that can compete with the best in the world,” says Minister Ndebele.

The Minister wished Mr. Alli well for the future.

The Department of Transport is working with the board to ensure that SANRAL continues to discharge its responsibilities of operating and maintaining the national road network across the country.

Cabinet has appointed an Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by the Deputy President, to coordinate all work related to the GFIP.

The Committee will work on, among other things, government’s response to the High Court ruling on the implementation of e-tolling and other related matters. The Committee will also seek to create dialogue with appropriate stakeholders in order to find constructive solutions and consensus on outstanding matters.