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Not a cent spent on fast rail: Ndebele

Johannesburg - Not a cent has been spent on any high-speed rail project in the country, except the Gautrain, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said on Sunday.

Ndebele was responding to a statement by the leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) Bantu Holomisa, that his party was perturbed by the transport department’s plan to spend billions on luxurious speed trains linking Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban and Musina.

“We are particularly troubled by the reports that, as usual, there are certain politically connected companies and individuals who stand to benefit from these projects,” Holomisa said.

Ndebele responded in a statement: “We (the transport department) wish to categorically state that, except for the Gautrain, to date not a cent has been spent on the roll-out of any high-speed rail project in South Africa.”

He said it was clearly stated at in a media statement in February that the cabinet was yet to approve a comprehensive train upgrade programme for the country.

“Cabinet approval will then kick-start a process including a feasibility study on the viability of high-speed rail.”

He said the transport department had, as far back as 2005, outlined several critical transport projects, including a high-speed rail connecting Johannesburg to other major cities.

“The Department of Transport intends to call for expressions of interest on high-speed rail in July 2011.

“In June 2011, we will also be hosting an investors’ conference to consolidate the interest in our transport infrastructure projects, including high-speed rail.”

Ndebele said it was therefor impossible for anyone to know if they would win the right to build any rail project.

He also said the department had set aside R22.3bn over the next three years to upgrade and maintain secondary and rural roads.

“At least 70 000 jobs are expected to be created in 2011 alone through this programme. This is over and above provincial and municipal funding for rural road infrastructure.”

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