Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has unveiled the draft National Rail Master Plan to revitalize South Africa's rail network. The plan, approved for gazetting by Cabinet on 1 April 2026, opened for public comment following consultations in Kempton Park. It aims to modernize freight and passenger services amid ongoing challenges at Transnet and Prasa.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy presented the National Rail Master Plan (NRMP), stating, “This plan aims to position rail as the backbone of South Africa’s logistics and transport ecosystem.” She emphasized, “It is not about re-inventing the past; it is about building a resilient, adaptable, dynamically scalable rail system that serves the nation’s broader economic and social goals.”
The launch followed Cabinet's approval on 1 April 2026 for gazetting the draft NRMP. Public consultations began in Kempton Park, where Prasa Group CEO Hishaam Emeran highlighted progress in recovery and modernization. Emeran noted the need for rail expansion in growing cities and new technologies like high-speed rail for intercity services.
Transnet faces legacy issues from State Capture, including suspended contracts for 1,064 locomotives from CRRC entities, with R4.2 billion in advance payments for undelivered units. Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips told the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) that infrastructure deterioration, equipment shortages, governance failures, and financial constraints have impacted performance. Transnet plans to re-engineer locomotives using alternative suppliers.
The NRMP proposes a differentiated funding model: commercial user-pays for freight rail with private investment, and government subsidies for passenger rail. Creecy committed to inclusive planning and a public web portal for ongoing input, describing it as a living document.
