Honourable Deputy Speaker,
The ACDP notes that the Economic Regulation of Transport Amendment Bill was passed by the National Assembly on 29 February 2024 and was assented to by the President on 6 June 2024. However, we further note that the President has not proclaimed the date by which the Act will come into operation, essentially keeping the ACT in limbo.
The ACDP understands that, according to the report, the reason for the delay, is because of a referencing error, referencing the Act as in 2020, instead of 2024. Hence, this Bill, to correct the error in Schedule 1 to the ACT in order to eliminate any possible interpretation challenges that may lead to litigation.
The ACDP notes that the Act in itself is ambitious in its scope and represents a significant step towards achieving rail reform in South Africa. We further note that the key aspects of the Act are the establishment of the Transport Economic Regulator (Regulator), as a single regulator across road, rail, shipping, ports, and aviation.
We take this opportunity to call on the Minister of Transport to intervene and provide respite to the residents of the Ugu/Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, after the Umzimkhulu River bridge, leading to Port Shepstone, was closed for repair because its structural integrity was compromised. Businesses are closing down, residents are forced to travel on the N2 toll road and face additional financial pressure as the Toll waiver and e-tags malfunction.
Deputy Speaker, as Kingdom builders, representing the aspirations of millions of Christians in South Africa and the continent in particular, and despite some concerns, the ACDP supports the recommendation.
I thank you.
