Should she stay or should she go?

A poll conducted by FTW last week revealed that only 3% of readers believe the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, is doing a good job, while 97% question her efficacy in the role. Yet widespread calls for comment on whether industry supported the demand for her resignation by the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) were met with a polite “No comment” and an expressed reluctance to be drawn into a debate in a public forum. FTW was told that the emotional urge to strike out at the minister would have far-reaching consequences that could damage all forms of contact and interaction that currently existed, “weak as they are”. A road transporter told FTW that there were a number of issues on the table at present that were both dire for the industry and the economy that had not been properly thought through, but added that Peters had called for comment on these and that industry was awaiting her response. One person FTW approached said that Peters was known to him personally and was “actually a very nice person”. He believes she may very well become a victim of a poorly managed system that sees the ruling party appointing people as part of a political reward system and not for their qualifications in the field of work required. He expressed concern that she would not survive the call to step down if she did not surround herself with competent and respected transport practitioners. A general manager in the logistics industry agreed that Peters’ appointment was not based on merit, noting: “It is patently obvious from her suggestion to ban heavy goods vehicles (in excess of 9 000 kilograms) from the road for six hours every day that Peters lacks the acumen and analytical capacity to have anything to do with regulating transport. She clearly lacks the qualifications to be in a position to dictate policy on a portfolio which has a marked effect on the economy of the country.” He added that this “obvious cadre appointment” did not stop with Peters but that it was rife throughout the department of transport and “goes down to provincial level”. Road Freight Association (RFA) spokesperson, Gavin Kelly, said that while the association did not want to weigh in on a debate around Peters’ competency, the RFA did believe in open and frank dialogue. “Sometimes this seems to take long and the waiting can be frustrating, but having a non-emotional and logical debate has proved well founded and successful for us time and again.” CAPTION Should she stay or should she go … Dipuo Peters.