Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has conveyed condolences to the families of 12 people killed in a road crash between a mini-bus taxi and a car this morning Sunday, 14 November 2010, on the N4 outside Middelburg in Mpumalanga.
“We want to convey our condolences to the families and relatives of the 12 people who lost their lives in a horrific road crash at Middelburg in Mpumalanga this morning, 14 November 2010. We wish those injured a speedy recovery. As part of the ‘Make Roads Safe’ Campaign and new National Rolling Traffic Law Enforcement Plan (NREP), from 1 to 31 October 2010 at least 1 053 000 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked and thousands of fines issued for various traffic offences.
The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act is imperative for road safety in our country. As we head towards the festive season, government is going all out to ensure safer roads. Let us all do our part to save lives on our roads,” Minister Ndebele said.
Meanwhile, the minister will table the report into allegations of mismanagement at the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in Parliament on Tuesday, 16 November 2010. Over the past year, Minister Ndebele received various complaints from staff, whistle-blowers and other sources relating to allegations of mismanagement at the RTMC under CEO Mr Ranthoko Rakgoale. These allegations were brought to the attention of the RTMC Board and the Ministry of Transport ordered an investigation into the allegations.
On 8 February 2010, Minister Ndebele further appointed an independent Task Team to investigate allegations of mismanagement, as well as issues relating to leadership, governance, business and finance at the RTMC. Mr Rakgoale was subsequently suspended and Mr Collins Letsoalo, Deputy Director-General: Financial Services at the Department of Transport was appointed acting CEO.
The Task Team, chaired by Mrs Riah Phiyega, presented its report to Minister Ndebele on 27 July 2010. Two days later, on 29 July 2010, the Minister together with the Task Team outlined key findings of the report at a media briefing in Pretoria. The report was subsequently presented twice to the RTMC Shareholders’ Committee. The report will be tabled Parliament in on 16 November 2010.
Key findings of the report include irregular expenditure, inappropriate procurement procedures and unauthorised use of eNaTIS transaction fees. One of the main findings of the Task Team relate to an irregular lease agreement of R658 million over a ten year period. The actual loss on this lease is estimated at R11 million. This lease has now been cancelled.
According to the Task Team, the total value of confirmed irregular expenditure actually incurred at the RTMC is estimated at R144 million. Based on the recommendations of the report, several staff at the RTMC have been subsequently suspended. The disciplinary inquiry is in the process of being finalised.
Further, the forensic audit process is still underway, the results of which will be actioned by the acting CEO of the RTMC. Therefore, those matters which are still subject to due legal process and internal HR procedures cannot be publicly disclosed at this stage.
Minister Ndebele said: “The Public Finance Management Act (Act 1 of 1999) makes it abundantly clear that the accounting authority for a public entity commits an act of financial misconduct if that accounting authority wilfully or negligently makes or permits an irregular expenditure or a fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Those found guilty of such offences are liable on conviction to a fine, dismissal or imprisonment.
“The Department of Transport has adopted a zero tolerance stance when it comes to fraud, corruption and mismanagement. Any person found guilty of such acts must face the consequences of their actions. With the appointment of the Acting CEO, the functioning of the RTMC has stabilised substantially and the RTMC is on track to deliver on its mandate of safer roads in South Africa. The issues raised in the Task Team report are being dealt with and some of the recommendations have already been implemented.”
“The RTMC was established for cooperative and coordinated strategic planning in respect of road traffic matters by the national, provincial and local spheres of government. It is therefore of paramount importance that this agency functions effectively and efficiently to fulfil its mandate,” said Minister Ndebele.
Enquiries:
Collins Letsoalo
Cell: 082 673 3009
