GOVT MANDATES NEWLY APPOINTED RTB TO ADMINISTER PERMITS, MANAGE RECORDS AND REGULARLY ADVISE MINISTER

Treatment of applicants must be fair and open

BY THEMBA ZWANE

MBABANE – Government, through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport , has mandated the newly appointed Road Transportation Board (RTB) to administer permits, manage records and advice the minister on regular intervals.

This was at the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF) headquarters on June 3, 2026 when Minister Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe announced the appointment of the Road Transportation Board and the Road Transportation Appeals Board.

Nokwazi Mhlanga-Mathabela and Siphefu Shabalala have retained the chairpersonship of the Road Transportation Board and Road Transportation Appeals Board respectively running for a term of three years.

Road Transportation Act

The RTB was appointed in terms of Section 4 of the Road Transportation Act, 2007.

The minister, in appointing the RTB, referred to the Establishment and Constitution of the Road Transportation Board Section 4. (1) There is hereby established a Board to be known as the Road Transportation Board, (hereinafter referred in this Act as the “Board”) appointed by the Minister for a period not exceeding three years. (2) The Board shall consist of the following persons— (a) five (5) members who shall be appointed by the Minister from the four regions and the Swaziland Consumers Association; (b) four (4) members, who shall be nominated by the National Transport Body; and (5) amongst the nine (9) members, the Minister shall appoint a chairperson. (6) The Minister shall appoint an officer of Government as Secretary of the Board.

The term of the Road Transportation Board shall be from May 2026 – May 2029.

The minister then revealed the priorities for the newly established Road Transportation Board.

“Administer permits in line with the Act in terms of route permits, area permits, national road transport permits, international permits to name just a few. In this quest, the RTB must receive applications, assess them, advertise, process and consider them,” he said.

He also highlighted that they are to manage records and permit data to ensure transparency for the road transport industry. The treatment of applicants must be fair and open, hence the record keeping allows for this to be achieved.

Transport Policies Of The Ministry

“Regulatory and Advisory role to the Minister. The Board is expected to offer advice in line with transport policies of the Ministry on issues such as public passenger transport demand; freight transport demand and fares and tariffs among other things.”

He noted that the Board shall in the quest to determine public transport demand, work urgently towards completing the direction towards the rightful modes of transport for particular routes. An official position is therefore imminent towards opening up for applications for passenger transport in a structured manner.

The minister added that stakeholder consultation was a key measure of the Board to be in a position to understand the road transport industry and dimensions.

Among key stakeholders to consult are:
*Transport associations;
*National Transport Body;
*Local authorities;
*Road Safety Council;
*Master of the High Court; and
*The public among others

He noted further that the Board shall not be rated by the number of permits issued; but by the stability and adequacy of road transport services in the country.

THE ROAD TRANSPORTATION BOARD 2026–2029