President Cyril Ramaphosa has complained about road accidents that kill 12,000 people every year in the country, which he said he wants to reduce in the coming years.
Ramaphosa, who said this while opening a transport conference in Johannesburg, yesterday, said that if the roads are disrupted, R1 billion is lost in the economy per day.
“We plan to reduce the number of accidents involving people from 12,000 every year. We plan to reduce these accidents by half by the year 2030.”
He said the roads are the most profitable as many goods are transported through them.
“Campaigns such as deploying law enforcement officers on highways in the country are bearing fruit as the number of accidents has started to decrease. Last year, the number of accidents decreased compared to five years ago,” he said.
He suggested that a transport council be established as 69% of goods in the country are transported by road.
“We don’t need to lose R1 billion a day due to disruptions on the roads. We need to strengthen other means of transport, including trucks that carry goods.”
He said the council will bring together all agencies including the government, businessmen and other agencies.
“It can attract investors and reduce the cost of doing business if we have improved transportation. Transportation is very important to the country’s economy and people in general.”
He pointed out that job opportunities can also be created and promote tourism.
“Farmers are able to move their products using transport. Minerals are transported to other countries using transport.”
He pointed out that other countries are investing in the development of freight trains as well as ports.
“Floods and climate change are destroying the transport infrastructure. We need to build transport that will adapt to climate change,” said Ramaphosa.
He also pointed out that the taxi industry transports 80% of the people in this country and it is the largest one controlled by black people.
“We are working with the taxi industry and money lenders, so that taxi owners can get loans. Transport must include everyone in this country.”
He also pointed out that some of the things that are transported in this country go by sea and he also said that they should not go to other African countries, it takes a long time if they travel by plane.