South Africa’s transport department budget has been rejected by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who argue it lacks a clear strategy to transform public transport.

Lucky Montana, MKP member and former CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), challenged Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s plan for private partnerships in the rail and freight sector. He warned that such a model would undermine state control and lead to higher prices due to increased operational costs for private entities. “Without vertically-integrated industries like transport and energy, costs will skyrocket,” Montana said.

Creecy defended the approach, citing limited state funds for infrastructure development. She announced that Transnet would seek private investment proposals from late August. She also highlighted progress in commuter rail services, noting that 35 of 40 corridors have been revived, with passenger trips projected to rise from 77 million last year to 116 million in the next. “Our competitive pricing model will ensure working-class communities benefit,” Creecy said.

However, Montana and EFF’s Mazwi Blose criticised inefficiencies in the taxi recapitalisation programme, arguing that it has failed to remove unsafe vehicles from roads, compromising public safety.

The opposition’s rejection underscores ongoing tensions over the role of private investment and the pace of public transport reforms in South Africa.