Standing Committee on Appropriations Engages Department of Transport on 2025 Appropriation Bill
The Standing Committee on Appropriations today raised several concerns regarding the Department of Transports' (DOT's) performance and infrastructure priorities during a briefing on the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
The DOT has provided spending plans and briefed the committee on identified mega projects that are covered in the 2025 allocation for public infrastructure investments.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Mmusi Maimane, expressed alarm over the persistent reliance on acting officials in key leadership roles within the department. "It is deeply concerning that while we are expected to appropriate significant funds that are over a trillion rands, the department has not appointed permanent officials in vital positions. This practice undermines accountability and weakens governance," said Mr Maimane. He said leadership issues in the department need urgent intervention in order to stabilise.
Mr Maimane also raised concerns about the Moloto Road project, noting that the road has cost taxpayers approximately R15 billion, notwithstanding the historic spend on the road over the past ten years. "This is quite exorbitant for a 167-kilometre road and nearly three times the cost compared to another country such as China," emphasised Mr Maimane.
The committee welcomed progress made at the South African Airways (SAA) and urged the department to do more to restore the airline to its former competitive standing. However, members of the committee voiced concern over revelations that R1.5 billion owed to SAA remains trapped in foreign countries, told the committee that despite several agreements between South Africa and Zimbabwe, little progress has been made.
The committee called for diplomatic intervention at the highest level to recover funds which will improve SAA's liquidity. Furthermore, the committee welcomed the suspension of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Chief Executive Officer and calls for urgent resolution and accountability. The committee also called on the RAF Board to act decisively to root out corrupt practices and to resolve the growing number of unsettled claims.
"We are increasingly concerned with executive bonuses and golden handshakes in a department that oversees deteriorating road infrastructure. It is unacceptable that senior officials receive performance incentives when service delivery is clearly lagging," added Mr Maimane.
Committee members also raised concerns over the growing number of trucks on the roads and the associated increase in traffic accidents. It also urged the department to explore a shift from road to rail for goods transport, which would reduce congestion and road maintenance costs. In addition, the high costs of toll gates particularly in Mpumalanga were criticised as an undue burden on commuters.
The committee also questioned inefficiencies and duplication in transport-related agencies. It noted with concern that entities like the Road Traffic Management Corporation invoice each other billions, which could be avoided if these entities were consolidated under the Department of Transport.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Gulf Business
New $205m agreement to boost UAE-GCC power grid interconnection
Image courtesy: WAM/ For illustrative purposes Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has signed a Dhs752m ($205m) financing agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) to support the expansion of the GCC power grid interconnection with the UAE's national electricity network, state news agency WAM reported. The agreement, signed at The infrastructure project forms part of broader efforts to enhance regional energy resilience and enable wider economic and developmental integration, aligning with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. The strategy aims to create an energy system that is both sustainable and economically efficient. Initiative will increase electricity transmission capacity between UAE and GCC Designed as a strategic grid upgrade, the initiative will significantly increase electricity transmission capacity between the UAE and the GCC network. Technical and economic feasibility studies have supported its design, in line with the GCCIA's vision for a durable, regionally connected power infrastructure. The project includes the construction of a 400kV double-circuit overhead transmission line spanning 96 kilometres, connecting the Al Silaa substation in the UAE with the Salwa substation in Saudi Arabia. It also entails the expansion of three substations — Gonan, Al Silaa, and Salwa — and the installation of advanced 400kV switchgears, circuit breakers, and reactors, along with modern protection and control systems to enhance grid efficiency and reliability. 'This project reflects ADFD's commitment to financing high-impact infrastructure that supports the UAE's development priorities,' said Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, director-general of ADFD. 'Power grid interconnection is a strategic enabler of energy security and a foundation for accelerating the transition to He added that the project would 'increase the efficiency of the power grid, improve emergency preparedness, strengthen connectivity with regional partners, and promote the integration of renewable energy,' supporting the GCC's sustainability and emissions reduction goals. Engineer Ahmed Ali Al Ebrahim, CEO of the GCCIA. called the initiative the first phase of a broader collaboration with ADFD during the current grid expansion and noted parallel efforts to interconnect with Kuwait, Oman, and southern Iraq, representing a total investment exceeding $1bn. 'By leveraging increased transmission capacity, we aim to activate a unified Gulf electricity market to facilitate cross-border power trade,' Al Ebrahim said. 'This could create economic opportunities projected to exceed $20bn over the next 15 years.'
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Airport wins 2024 Sharjah Excellence Award
The SAA's win was based on its outstanding performance across four key pillars: community, environment, workplace, and stakeholder engagement. It was evaluated using a set of qualitative indicators, including environmental sustainability, community initiatives, awareness campaigns, support for people of determination, enhancement of workplace culture and employee empowerment, as well as strengthened community partnerships. Advancing institutional sustainability through leading performance indicators Sheikh Faisal bin Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, emphasized that this recognition is a culmination of strategic efforts aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in embedding the principles of comprehensive development. The SAA has distinguished itself by expanding impactful community initiatives year after year and participating actively in a broad range of programs and activities that positively impacted diverse segments of society. These efforts have significantly contributed to the advancement of institutional sustainability through leading performance indicators. The award stands as a testament to a comprehensive institutional model that places humanity at the heart of its priorities. He added: "This award is the result of a collective and integrated effort led by the SAA's teams in collaboration with our strategic partners. Together, we have established a distinguished institutional model that embraces corporate social responsibility as a strategic and sustainable practice. Through impactful initiatives implemented with high efficiency, we continue to expand our societal impact and enhance our institutional practices in line with international best standards. These efforts support people, protect the environment, and strengthen the national economy, while further positioning Sharjah as a global destination built on noble values and forward-looking development goals." Strengthening Sharjah Airport's role as a key hub in regional and global air transport It is worth noting that Sharjah Airport Authority has succeeded in generating positive engagement among its employees through its diverse community initiatives, as well as achieving high levels of community satisfaction. This serves as clear evidence of the success of the integrated framework adopted by the SAA, which continues to develop its services and introduce innovative smart solutions that reinforce Sharjah Airport's position as a major hub in regional and global air transport. These efforts have also resulted in a number of prestigious international certifications and accreditations in the fields of quality and sustainability, including the renewal of its Level 3+ Carbon, the ACI Airport Customer Experience Accreditation, and recognition of the Authority as a Child- and Family-Friendly Institution, among other achievements.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
South Africa is a prime target for ransomware attacks: How to safeguard your system?
Ransomware attacks have become a significant threat to South African businesses, with the country emerging as a top target in Africa. The prevalence of these attacks is driven by a combination of factors, including the rapid digital transformation of businesses, the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals, and the economic incentives for attackers. South Africa's relatively strong economy and high levels of digital adoption make it an attractive target for ransomware operators, who know that businesses and institutions here are more likely to pay ransoms to recover critical data. Why South Africa is a hotspot for ransomware South Africa's position as a regional economic hub means that its businesses and government institutions store vast amounts of sensitive data online. Cybercriminals are well aware of this, and they exploit vulnerabilities in outdated systems, weak passwords, and human error to infiltrate networks. For instance, a healthcare provider could fall victim to a ransomware attack if its systems are not updated with the latest security patches, allowing attackers to encrypt patient records and demand a hefty ransom. Similarly, a financial institution might be targeted if employees click on a phishing email, granting attackers access to the network. Common tactics used by ransomware operators Ransomware attacks often begin with phishing emails, where attackers use social engineering to trick employees into clicking malicious links or downloading infected attachments. Once inside the network, the ransomware spreads rapidly, encrypting files and rendering them inaccessible. Attackers then demand payment in exchange for decryption keys. In some cases, they also steal sensitive data and threaten to leak it if the ransom is not paid. Another common tactic is using exploit kits, which scan systems for vulnerabilities and deploy ransomware payloads without the need for user interaction. For example, a manufacturing company could be targeted through a compromised website, where an exploit kit silently installs ransomware on its systems. The cost of ransomware attacks The financial impact of ransomware attacks can be devastating. Beyond the ransom itself, businesses face costs related to downtime, lost revenue, and reputational damage. A retail chain might lose millions of rands in sales during a ransomware-induced shutdown, while a logistics company could suffer delays in delivering goods, leading to customer dissatisfaction. Moreover, the recovery process could take weeks or months, compounding the financial losses. Prevention is key: building resilient infrastructure Businesses must adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity to protect themselves from ransomware. This starts with regular employee training to recognise phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics. Companies should also implement robust password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of unauthorised access. Keeping software and systems up to date is crucial, as outdated systems are a common entry point for ransomware. Partnering with an experienced IT security provider can make a significant difference in preventing ransomware attacks. An expert partner can help businesses identify vulnerabilities, implement advanced monitoring tools, and develop a comprehensive incident response plan. For example, a small business might work with an IT partner to deploy endpoint protection software that detects and blocks ransomware before it can encrypt files. Additionally, regular backups of critical data, stored securely offsite, can ensure businesses recover quickly without paying a ransom. A multi-layered defence strategy A multi-layered approach to cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding against ransomware. This means having multiple layers of security measures in place, each one adding a different level of protection, such as firewalls, email security, and intrusion detection systems, which can be used to block attacks at the perimeter. Inside the network, businesses should use tools that monitor for suspicious activity and automatically respond to potential threats. For example, a financial institution might use machine learning algorithms to analyse network traffic and detect anomalies that could indicate a ransomware attack. While prevention is the best defence, cyber insurance can provide additional protection. Policies that cover ransomware attacks can help businesses recover financially from the costs of downtime, data recovery, and ransom payments. However, insurers are increasingly scrutinising the cybersecurity measures of their clients, meaning businesses with stronger defences might benefit from lower premiums. Ransomware attacks are a growing threat to South African businesses but are not inevitable. By investing in robust cybersecurity measures, training employees, and working with expert IT partners, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a target. Prevention is key, and a proactive approach to cybersecurity can help ensure that businesses remain resilient in this evolving threat.
