'Tough love': Time to talk about private sector involvement to address state failure - Masondo

The deputy minister and Treasury officials on Tuesday briefed the standing and select committees on finance on the Medium-term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana could not attend for medical reasons. The briefing, which normally takes place a day after the MTBPS is tabled, was postponed last week.

The corporatisation of Transnet's National Ports Authority - to be an independent subsidiary of Transnet - and the involvement of the private sector in freight rail were topical during the briefing.

Masondo explained the logic behind this - to stimulate competition and increase efficiency - which could have benefits such as reducing costs for customers. But, he admitted, this requires further research.