MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL RESPONSE TO SUNDAY TIMES QUERY ON DISPUTE BETWEEN SANRAL AND NZK FOOTPRINT ENGINEERING

Pretoria, 27 May 2024 – Ordinarily, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) does not litigate through the media and, therefore, would not respond to each and every question you have asked. Suffice to point out the following:

• NZK did work for SANRAL and raised a dispute on an outstanding amount.
• NZK served SANRAL summons and SANRAL missed the deadline to file a notice to defend and as such NZK obtained a default judgment. SANRAL then applied for a rescission of the judgment which was unopposed.
• On the day of the hearing of the unopposed rescission application, NZK showed up in court and stated they want to oppose our application.
• The judge granted them the opportunity to file opposing papers.
• To date, we have not seen the opposing papers. Instead, what we have seen from NZK is litigation through the media combined with enlisting political pressure groups as an arbiter on a matter that is before court.
• SANRAL awaits the hearing date from the judge and will not argue its case outside the judicial process. We, like the media, uphold the subjudice principle.

So, from SANRAL perspective the matter is sub judice and only the court can pronounce on it as NZK is duly represented by its Legal team in court.

The other allegations of black suppliers not paid: He who alleges must prove. We are not aware of any matter except the NZK court matter. In fact, all our suppliers (bar NZK) would be amused at this allegation as our track record on paying suppliers speaks for itself.

On the bribery allegation against the CEO, Mr Reginald Demana, we state as follows:

The CEO rejects this spurious allegation with the contempt it deserves and reserves his rights. His lawyers have made contact with NZK to prove or retract the allegation.

Further, the Board of SANRAL has itself asked the accusers to bring forward any evidence to back up their allegation or, better still, to take the matter up with the Public Protector and/or law enforcement agencies. To date, those who are making the allegation have not responded to the Board.

//ends