New Road Transportation Board appointed

By Phephile Motau

Nokwazi Mhlanga has been appointed chairperson of the Road Transportation Board.

The board was commissioned by the Minister of Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza together with the Road Appeals Board, which is led by Siphefu Shabalala. Mhlanga has also served on the Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority board.

Other members of the Road transportation Transportation Board are Patrick Mkhatshwa, Simile Khumalo, Hebert Shabangu, Bongani Mdluli, Bonginkosi Langwenya, Vusi Vilakati, Somandla Dlamini, Xolani Ngwenya and Lucky Dlamini.

Other members of the Road Transportation Appeals Board are Phinda Khoza, William Lukhele, Thobile Dube, and Sabatha Dlamini. According to the Road Transportation Act, 2007 which commissioned the establishment of the boards, the Road Transportation Board shall consist of five members who shall be nominated by the minister from the four regions and the Eswatini Consumer Association.

It shall also consist of four members who shall be nominated by the National Transportation Body and among the nine members, the minister shall appoint a chairperson.

The board is appointed by the minister for a period not exceeding three years, according to the Act. The functions of the board, according to the act, include considering applications for or relating to the granting of, renewal, amendment, suspension, or cancellation of public transportation permits.

It is also responsible for determining the demand for public passenger and freight transport and keeping registers of all permits issued or any other register or database as is required to properly administer road transportation.

The board is also responsible for advising the minister on any matter relating to the transportation of goods and passengers by road in Eswatini or any matter incidental to which the minister may refer to the board.

A person aggrieved by a decision of the Road Transportation Board may appeal to the Appeal Board, which was also established by the same Act.