SOUTH AFRICA: S. Africa's Committee Politics Continues As Ramaphosa Sets Up Panel For Logistics Crisis

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed to lawmakers that he is establishing a special committee to address the national logistical crisis. Press reports suggest that the so-called NLCC will be chaired by Ramaphosa himself and will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Freight Logistics Roadmap.

• Ramaphosa proposed the establishment of a logistics committee during a meeting with exporters some two months ago. Back then, the President described the current situation as "catastrophic," pointing to the need to improve the performance of South African ports and rail.
• IOL reported that the committee "will prioritise establishing a transport economic regulator that will oversee third party access to the rail network as well as developing a devolution strategy for passenger rail."
• The ongoing logistical crisis is one of the idiosyncratic stagflationary challenges faced by South Africa, alongside the energy crisis or diplomatic tensions surrounding the nation's stance on the war in Ukraine.
• The creation of special committees seems to have become Ramaphosa's favourite strategy in addressing various crises. The electricity situation is being addressed by the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM), while Deputy President Paul Mashatile chairs a committee working on legal technicalities surrounding Russian President Putin's potential visit.