Economist weighs in on concerns over Mbalula’s appointment

Strong views for and against the new cabinet appointment of Fikile Mbalula as minister of transport, at best a controversial commentator and at worst an implicated beneficiary of the statecapturing Gupta brothers, were expressed by economist Mike Schussler in a frank interview with FTW. Dissing reservations that Mbalula is a loose cannon more known for his colourful but often reckless utterances than for ministerial muscle, Schussler said it should be remembered that Cyril Ramaphosa’s choice to head up the Department of Transport (DoT) was also someone who was known for not taking any nonsense. “If you consider his experience as former minister of police and his reputation for not being afraid to take a stance, it’s perhaps a good thing that we have someone like that in transport, particularly if one considers the hassles we’ve had with truck burning on the N3.

“Maybe Mbalula will be unafraid to deal with people hell-bent on causing havoc on our highways.” Yet although being fair in his assessment of Mbalula assuming the seat previously occupied by Blade Nzimande, “someone who was largely absent in that position”, Schussler was mostly critical of the president’s choice for the DoT’s top spot. “Mbalula is a strange one,” Schussler said. “The transport industry is going through a torrid time and we really need someone who can help with the issues we are facing. “Harbour blockages, ongoing discussions around the possibility of banning high cube containers from our roads – these are all issues that require someone with a thorough understanding of the industry.”

Known to mix things up in his own colourful way, Schussler referred to violence on the N3 as “road shredding. “It’s a crucial issue that weighs heavily on the industry and it’s a terrible position for us as transporters to be in, knowing that we have to live with what we got.” The best scenario, Schussler said, was for Ramaphosa to have considered the transport portfolio “in the same light as electricity or energy. “Transport is as important to South Africa as some of the ministries where certain ministers were retained, presumably because of the stability and expertise they bring to their departments.” Schussler’s biggest slight at Mbalula’s appointment was that it was politically expedient, being “a political pay-off” for the ANC’s

alliance partners. “It may cost the industry dearly and is not something we can afford at the moment, especially since all

involved in the cargo sector agree that South Africa’s transport industry has been losing traction. “One can only hope that Mbalula grows into the position.” One can only hope that Mbalula grows into the position. – Mike Schussler