Privatise Transnet to resolve ports crisis - Steenhuisen
DA leader John Steenhuisen has called on Parliament to establish an ad-hoc committee to find ways of resolving the crisis at KZN ports.
Steenhuisen visited the Durban port on Monday to assess the backlog.
Thousands of ship containers remain stranded at the seaport as a result of the logistical crisis at ports on the east coast.
Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa also visited the port in Richards Bay, and said Transnet is working to resolve the 15-week backlog.
"Parliament must urgently establish an ad-hoc committee, comprised of the Departments of Transport, Public Enterprises, and Finance, to fast-track solutions and remove legislative, financial, and regulatory bottlenecks to port recovery.
"This must take place before the end of the year – Parliament cannot rise until this crisis is urgently addressed."
Steenhusisen says privatisation of Transnet is the solution to resolve the port crisis.
"President Ramaphosa must collaborate with the private sector to salvage Transnet by commencing the process towards privatisation of this state-owned entity for the economic well-being of our country.
"He must urgently brief Parliament on the state of South African ports, including the immediate steps his government will take to resolve this crisis, which threatens the collapse of our economy.
Steenhuisen said many retailers were unable to take advantage of Black Friday sales due to the shipment backlog.
"The port crisis will be financially devastating for South African businesses who are waiting for their products that are stranded at sea.
"Retailers who were targeting Black Friday sales have lost an economic opportunity, and similarly, tens of thousands of containers will only now be delivered after Christmas - missing a critical sale opportunity."
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises is expected to conduct an oversight visit to the Durban and Richards Bay Ports from 7 to 8 December.
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