The United National Transport Union (UNTU) is concerned about the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) decision to sign a memorandum of understanding with China Communications Construction Company.
This memorandum was signed for the company to explore various infrastructure development initiatives, key amongst them being the Moloto Rail Development Corridor.
According to PRASA‚ the Moloto Rail Project’s main objective is to ensure passenger rail as the backbone of an integrated, multimodal transport system using proven, state-of-the-art rolling stock and equipment. It will increase the speed for buses from 70km/h to 120km/h and from 160km/h to 200km/h for standard gauge trains, thereby reducing travel time for commuters. The project is estimated to cost more than R30bn.
UNTU welcomes that government is finally responding to the pleas of commuters to enhance public transport as the notorious Moloto road is commonly known as the “road of death” due to the frequent deadly accidents that occurs.
UNTU supports the call of residents alongside this road to KwaMhlanga in Mpumalanga that Pres. Jacob Zuma must intervene to provide a safe and efficient public transport system for them.
“That being said UNTU has several questions as to why the Chinese were approached instead of Transnet who is the Rail expert in South Africa and considered a world leader.
“The Union believe that this memorandum of agreement to build the Moloto Rail Development Corridor that was signed, should have been done in collaboration with the Presidential Infrastructure Coordination Commission (PICC) that is headed by Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel,” says Mr. Eddie de Klerk, Deputy General Secretary of UNTU.
According to De Klerk, also FEDUSA Vice President: Training and Education, the infrastructure plan is a bold effort to transform the economy, laying the basis for growth and jobs
“UNTU fails to see how an agreement with a China company will give effect to the goals of South Africa’s National Development Plan that seeks to create a “virtuous cycle of growth and development” by removing the most pressing constraints to investment and job creation in order to eliminate poverty and sharply reduce inequality in the country by 2030.
“The Union demands that government explain if this agreement with the China Communications Construction Company Limited of China will create sustainable local jobs and enhance the development of local skills,” De Klerk says.
For enquiries phone De Klerk on 082 567 6638.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Releases e-mail sonja@untu.co.za or phone 082 463 6806.
