Minister confronts Transnet over policy than could derail reforms

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy gave the Transnet board three days to explain how it would correct a rail access agreement she said broke with legislation, reversed an agreed policy position and threatened to drive investors away from the government’s freight-rail reform programme. Her ultimatum followed the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager’s (Trim) submission of a revised Rail Access Agreement on June 1. Two days later, Creecy wrote to Transnet board chairperson Andile Sangqu, demanding the board’s response, “together with proposed corrective actions and implementation timelines”, within three days. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration has placed logistics reform at the heart of its economic recovery strategy, with rail and Transnet restructuring as central pillars. Under the reforms, Transnet has separated infrastructure management from operations to open the rail network to private operators and restore efficiency in freight transport.