Speaker, the state of the Metrobus Service in South Africa is deteriorating rapidly. The worst-case scenario is the current state of the municipal bus service in Tshwane, Pretoria. Out of the fleet of 398 buses, only a maximum of 165 buses are currently roadworthy and in service, helping residents.
On Monday, 5 March 2012, commuters, including disabled people and DA councillors, took part in the protest outside the central depot of the Tshwane Metrobus Service, to protest about, among others: One, the financial mismanagement of an almost-bankrupt bus service; two, the lack of maintenance of more than 50% of the current fleet, which does not even move; three, the constant reports of corruption and officials being fired as an indication of the state of operations; four, the cancellation of key bus routes in the city in the middle of the day, leaving elderly "gogos" [grandmothers] and the disabled stranded in the city, unable to go home.
Appeals to the mayor and the city council in Pretoria have fallen on deaf ears. The mayor does not even respond to letters or appeals. This is the state of affairs of the bus service of one metro, but our understanding is that there are several Metropolitan Bus Services in a number of metros controlled by the ruling party that are in a similar state of disrepair.
The DA calls on this government to investigate the sorry state of affairs in Tshwane and other metros. The Tshwane Metro and its ANC mayor seem unable to sort out this dysfunctional bus service. The citizens of South Africa deserve better. The DA in government in Pretoria will do a much better job when we win the city in the next council election. [Applause.]