Digitisation of Transnet operation system long overdue - expert

Havenga's remarks come after two trains collided outside Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday.

The cash-strapped state-owned entity still runs a manual train management system and cannot remotely track trains in real-time.

In a statement, Transnet said there was a derailment before the trains crashed into each other.

"Transnet Freight Rail teams were dispatched to the scene immediately, and recovery efforts began in earnest. No serious injuries have been reported, and staff involved in the collision were sent for medical observation,” Transnet Freight Rail said.

"Environmental teams are also at the scene to ensure compliance in the recovery and clean-up operations. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident."

Havenga says the digitisation of the Transnet train operation system is long overdue.

"I think what we need to realise in South Africa is that we have gone through a very bad time in terms of state capture, and a lot of damage has been done. Sadly, this management that followed after state capture did not improve things to the extent that we wanted, but I think the management that has been appointed now takes things very seriously. We can see it through the many news reports that are published, and I have seen it with my own eyes. I am very hopeful now that things will improve.

"But there are still a lot of things that still need to be improved, like the digitisation of the train operation system. I don't think it’s their fault, but the previous management, especially during the state capture era, did not invest enough into digitisation and new operational systems. They only invested in locomotives, and so there is a big backlog.”

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