Staff Writer

President Ramaphosa in October announced the beginning of the process to open up South Africa’s rail infrastructure to private operators. This will see private locomotives allowed to use the country’s rail infrastructure, which was previously under the remit of Transnet and Metrorail. The move, which had already been under consideration since 2017 is part of the country’s economic recovery plan, and is touted to commence in less than a year.

Currently, over 80% of South Africa’s goods and freight is transported using the country’s road infrastructure. This promotes traffic congestion, wear and tear on the country’s road network, and is sometimes dangerous to other traffic, all of which will be partially alleviated by this.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, CEO for the African Rail Industry Association, Mesela Nhlapo, noted that this was good for the country’s economy: it would help with road maintenance, generate revenue for Transnet which will levy a toll for rail usage, and create jobs. It will further develop South Africa’s manufacturing sector, which requires efficient rail traffic as a means of planning, investment and delivery.

In relation to safety and theft, Nhlapo noted that it was the duty of all citizens to ensure that this does not occur, but that perhaps recategorizing the rail network as a National Key Point, would enable us to better protect this critical infrastructure.

She did also note that currently this was mainly open to the transporting of goods and freight, but that at a later stage might be open to passenger traffic. It was significant, in her opinion, that this would likely have to be subsidised by government as it is standard practice all over the world to do so.

Transnet will generate revenue from companies using the lines, with a registration process and monitoring and investigatory body setup to aid the process, similar to the current rules regarding air transport.