New Transport Minister Barbara Creecy prioritises ‘stabilisation and improved governance’

“My first task in this seventh administration is to stabilise the transport system in our country and make our department fit to fulfil its policy-making and regulatory role,” said Barbara Creecy on Monday during her maiden speech as the minister of transport.

Creecy, whom President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed as transport minister at the end of June, leads a department that has been beset by problems.

Read more: New appointments to head Transport Ministry welcomed

“A key priority for the next financial year will be the stabilisation and improved governance of the department and its entities,” said Creecy.

“With regards to the department, critical vacancies will be assessed, and appointments made to fill important posts.”

Touching on the taxi industry, which is often in the news for violence, Creecy said: “During this term, I pledge to work with the industry to ensure it takes its place in a safer, greener transport ecosystem. We will work together to decrease levels of conflict and violence which pose a significant risk to the sector and to commuters.”

Creecy’s talk of stabilisation comes as the rail sector is dealing with several issues, including Transnet’s move back to the department following the disbanding of the Department of Public Enterprises.

Then there is the restoration of passenger rail lines, which have been destroyed, vandalised and burnt. Creecy and her department also have to deal with crumbling road infrastructure and licensing backlogs.

“Prasa [Passenger Rail Agency of SA] is continuing to reopen passenger rail lines severely affected by infrastructure damage and cable theft, with 28 of 40 priority lines being fully operational. As of March this year, 256 stations are fully functional in cities across the country,” said Creecy, who was the minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment in the previous administration.

Transnet’s rail and port operations have come under fire in recent years following repeated underperformance that’s seen as a brake on economic growth.

Creecy said: “Dysfunctional port terminals resulted in long waiting times for ships wishing to berth, as well as congestion at strategic border crossings and key national highway corridors. Our freight rail system was characterised by maintenance backlogs, cable theft and skills shortages.”

Read more: Transnet could stage one of the greatest turnarounds in business history

She did not announce any new plans for freight rail or ports, but pledged her “strong and unequivocal support” for the important work which lay ahead for the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC).

The NLCC, which comprises government, business and union leaders, aimed to achieve three objectives: “Improving operational performance of industry supply chains, including freight rail and ports; implementing reforms to modernise the freight transport system for efficiency and competitiveness, and necessary regulatory change or exemptions to enable efficient procurement and adequate funding for network maintenance.”

Creecy’s maiden transport budget vote debate was marred by disruptions between parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) and opposition parties the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK).

During the debate, some MPs blamed the ANC for the Department of Transport’s failures. MK criticised the removal from Transnet of Siyabonga Gama and Brian Molefe — both of whom were implicated in wrongdoings by the Zondo Commission.

Speaking about her new role, Creecy said the department and its entities “will need to shape up … and if they don’t, we have ships”.

Learning, then promising 

Creecy is the sixth minister appointed to lead the department since 2017. Her deputy minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, was the former chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in Parliament, the public funds watchdog.

When asked by Daily Maverick about the countless promises made by previous ministers in this portfolio, Creecy said: “I have a track record in my previous portfolios that I have held of delivering… I hope I will be able to sustain that track record in this portfolio and that track record is really based on learning first and promising specifics later.”

New Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa addressing the media today in Cape Town ahead of the department’s Budget vote. @dailymaverick pic.twitter.com/vHnL3hHPQ6

— Suné Payne (@SunePayne) July 15, 2024

Hlengwa said the pair were “committed” to meeting the demands of the portfolio. DM

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