'The issue
cannot continue unattended'
Leonard Neill
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES minister Jeff Radebe has vowed to meet exporters during the next fortnight to discuss Spoornet's poor service.
Director general of his department, Sivi Gounden, will arrange the special hearings.
"We can no longer allow this issue to continue unattended," said Radebe who wants an urgent gathering with Transnet, Spoornet and those clients who have raised concerns at the rail parastatal's performance.
"We must understand the problems so we can remove the backlogs that stand in the way. We will take all practical measures to try to resolve these obstacles."
Radebe has previously expressed concern at Spoornet's performance. At the annual Transnet meeting when the financial figures were released he said that several issues needed urgent attention, among them the need for the Gauteng-East London rail line and service to be upgraded without further delay.
"The situation is a serious concern for government, and Spoornet's performance should be bench-marked against its global peers.
"We have requested Transnet to include this item in its basket of key performance indicators against which Spoornet's performance should be assessed."
Goundon said that known stakeholders who have grievances are being contacted, in particular exporters, and meetings would be arranged 'without delay.'
