Photo by: Duane Daws
Transnet has an infrastructure maintenance backlog of R30-billion, most of it on signalling systems and rail tracks, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown has said in response to a written parliamentary question.
The parastatal needs to spend R13.9-billion on rail tracks and R11.7-billion on signalling systems.
It also faces outstanding upkeep of R2.4-billion on rail yards, R907-million on freight rail rolling stock, R349-million on port terminals, R5-million on pipelines and R37-million on communications systems.
Transnet's plans for the current financial year budget for dealing with R1.1-billion of the backlog.
The entity said the budget process for the next financial year would determine the extent to which the remaining R28-billion was funded.
The Democratic Alliance, which asked the question, said the figures were at odds with the government's oft-stated commitment to infrastructure expansion.
"Any further deterioration of Transnet's infrastructure could severely affect South Africa's ability to create jobs and grow the economy," DA MP Phumzile van Damme said.