By ZWELETHU DLAMINI | 2020-08-09

The ministry of public works and transport has closed the Central Transport Administration’s Trading Account, with the transport department now to use the ministry’s account.

This comes with at least nine changes in the operations and services of the CTA outlined in circular No.1 2020/21 issued by the ministry on Wednesday.

According to Minister of Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwadwe the transition will curtail the powers that the CTA had as it will now have to report to the ministry.

According to the ministry, this circular aims to enforce cost containment measures and proper accountability of the public funds.

“Cabinet has, through the CM 9307, approved the transformation of the Central Transport Administration. This entails the closure of the trading account effective from April 2020 and CTA becoming a fully-fledged department under the ministry of public works and transport.  CTA  will continue to provide support services to ministries and departments to which ministries are requested to assist by bearing the cost for services directly under the respective votes of  the budget estimates,” reads the circular sent to principal secretaries by the Public Works and transport  Principal Secretary, Khangezizwe   Mabuza.

Through the circular, ministries were informed of the nine changes in the manner the business will be done, to ensure ownership of transport activities by line ministries and departments and the efficient utilisation of resources in government in line with the Stores Regulations part II of the Public Finance Act. The first change that the ministry announced is that which relates to the fueling of government vehicles as it will be rationed and informed by proper requests endorsed by the substantive controlling officers.

“Fuelling will happen at their respective CTA and security forces depots countrywide depending on where it has been made available from time to time based on the availability of funds.  The provision of the fuel in the depots remains the responsibility of the ministry of public works and transport,” stated the ministry. Furthermore principal secretaries are to ensure familiarisation with their activities in their fleet utilisation and assignments so that the fuel allocated can be efficiently accounted for through the coupon and logbook maintenance systems. Meanwhile, fuelling will continue to be done at the CTA depots until a new system has been introduced in the coming future. The other change that the ministry announced is with regards to the hiring of fleet, which will be the direct responsibility of the principal secretary.

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“Invoices will be paid for within the CTA charges for controlling officers are to make sure they and manage and the contracts entered into with the private service providers so as to contain cost and only hire where there is a critical need.

“The private service providers will be coordinated on an annual basis by CTA through the tendering process and the price list range shared with the ministries and departments.

Effective from August 2020, the request is to utilise the list of the three awarded that suppliers for 2019 2020 as has been shared with ministries,” further reads the circular.

The tender validity is being extended and meanwhile the ministry will be engaging with the principal secretaries and the central agencies to consider the procuring of vehicles that will replenish the central transport pool section and the ministerial fleet.

“Relevant servicing kits purchases and invoicing  should relate to the type of service due this will be charged directly to the line ministry CTA vote  or where appropriate the necessary JV’s effected, the ministry will provide an update and guide on how to service and maintain your fleet going forward.

Allocation of transport officers and or equivalent- with the need for professional assistance on the rolling out of the proposed alignment and management of fleet per ministry or department, the ministries starting with those that will confirm a larger active fleet, will be assigned to officers who have the relevant expertise to advise and guide on the service due and nature. This will assist controlling officers monitor and manage the fleet accordingly.

“The ministry stated that stakeholder consultations would be done to all concerned parties. All stakeholders will be engaged on the ongoing transition to allow for full and smooth compliance.

National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) President Oscar Nkambule said they were surprised that ministry had issued the circular without engaging them first as they believe the consultation should have been the first thing that the ministry engaged in.

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