Road Traffic Management Corporation's Days are Numbered

Statement by Robin Carlisle, Minister of Transport and Public Works

A Department of Transport media release issued yesterday gives the impression that shareholders have changed their mind about dissolving the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). Nothing could be further from the truth.

Minister Peters and her Acting DG assured us (the shareholders) that it was necessary to rescind the decision, appoint a board and a CEO, so that these functionaries could then actively work with her and the National Cabinet to rescind the RTMC Act and phase the RTMC out.

Minister Peters agreed fully with the shareholders (mainly ANC Transport MECs) that the RTMC had to go, but "differently" from the way the shareholders had in mind. I am quite sure the Minister was not telling fibs, but nevertheless, I abstained from voting on the rescinding of the dissolution model.

The RTMC has demonstrated, from its inception that it has totally unworkable corporate governance, and I do not believe that even the ANC can be so stupid as to try one more time to get it to work.

The RTMC and National Department of Transport are currently undergoing a confused and turbulent episode. On 15 July 2013, Justice Ebersohn of the North Gauteng High Court (Case 44095/12) ordered the HOD of the National Department of Transport “to be committed to imprisonment for a period of 30 days” for failing to honour earlier court orders.

National Department of Transport gives new meaning to the term “augean stables” and the new minister has her work cut out.

Media Release: Statement by the Ministry of Transport on behalf of the RTMC Shareholders Committee regarding developments at the RTMC