The Department of Transport in KwaZulu-Natal NEEDS R50 billion to repair and build roads. This Ministry has stated that it will no longer be able to start new programs because it does not have enough money.
The Minister of Transport, Mr Siboniso Duma, told the Transport Committee in the Legislative Assembly, that they need this money to repair all the infrastructure affecting the roads in the province.
“We are lagging behind in putting asphalt on many roads in the province. We cannot start other new projects due to lack of funds,” said Duma.
Members of the Legislature complained that there are many roads that need to be repaired in the province as some need to be resurfaced, while others need to be repaired with potholes.
Mr. Mongezi Twala of the EFF, complained about potholes in the roads of the province, and said that the plan announced by the Prime Minister, Mr. Thami Ntuli, to close these potholes is not seen.
“The provincial roads are not in a good condition. We do not see Ntuli’s plan to close potholes on our roads. The lack of sufficient funds from the department will delay the construction and maintenance of road infrastructure. There are many people who need to use many of its roads which are not in good condition,” said Twala.
He also asked whether the program of transporting students to schools will not be disrupted due to the R300 million budget cut?
Duma said that he has three colleagues who have been given the task of coming up with a plan that affects the transportation of students in the province.
He said that the transportation of students to schools will not be interrupted, they will continue to increase the number of police patrolling the streets, especially since schools will be closed in June.
In this meeting, it was revealed that the Department’s budget is R13.9 billion for the 2026/2027 financial year. It also emerged that the Ministry has set itself the goal of collecting R2.4 billion from the fee paid when renewing vehicle licenses. The money collected by the Department from those who have made learners’ licenses has also increased and it also receives money from traffic ticket debtors.