The Gauteng provincial government on Thursday said it was waiting for an urgent meeting with the national government on the province’s planned R12-billion monorail linking Johannesburg and Soweto.
”The [provincial minister] is awaiting a response from the minister,” said spokesperson Alfred Nhlapo on behalf of Gauteng provincial minister for public transport, roads and works, Ignatius Jacobs.
On Wednesday, Jacobs hurriedly asked for an ”urgent” meeting with Transport Minister Jeff Radebe on the monorail proposal after Radebe caused a stir in Parliament when he said the first he knew of the plan was when it was announced by the Gauteng government on May 16.
Nhlapo would not comment further but said the public would be informed of the outcome of the meeting.
On Thursday, the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) and the South African Rail Commuter Corp-Metrorail (SARCC) both denied any knowledge of the project.
Railways are legally required to be licensed by the RSR, while the SARCC is the only legally appointed body for running all passenger commuter railways or contracting others to do this.
”Anybody who wants to operate a railway service can only do so after getting a licence from us,” said RSR spokesperson Lawrence Venkile.
”From planning to construction, we have to get involved.”
Venkile said the first the RSR knew of the project was when it was unveiled to the media.
”Even since then we have not had any communication from them.
”We have not had any contact with the province or with anyone else on this.”
SARCC spokesperson Pule Mabe said the SARCC was not involved. — Sapa