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N4 protests result in fatality

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Media Release
N4 protests result in fatality

Pretoria, 12 May 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has learned with regret of the sad fatality of which occurred today because of the service delivery protests which have been taking place since Tuesday on the N4 route between Balmoral Interchange and the N4/N12 split near eMalahleni.

According to a report by the South African Police Services in Middleburg, an incident occurred in the closed off area where a vehicle said to be travelling on the N4 collided with a burnt truck resulting in one fatality. It is alleged that the vehicle made a U-turn on the N4 to avoid the protesters.

Solange Soares, Communications Manager from TRAC said protesters are no longer on the scene and the Eastbound carriageway has been opened to traffic.

“We are still assessing the damage and once completed our teams will start clearing the scene. The teams will also continue to do traffic accommodation until the clean-up is completed” she said.

SANRAL will continue to monitor the situation and update the public on further developments regarding the matter.

Road users requiring real-time information are urged to follow @TRACN4Route on Twitter or call the TRAC 24-hour Helpdesk in South Africa on 0800 87 22 64 (toll-free) or 082 881 4444 and in Mozambique on 800 9022.

 

Road closure and possible delays on N4 due to protests

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Traffic Advisory
Road closure and possible delays on N4 due to protests

Pretoria, 11 May 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to alert motorists to road closures and possible traffic delays on the N4 route between Balmoral Interchange and the N4/N12 split near eMalahleni, due to service delivery protests this week.

The protests commenced on Tuesday evening and due to their violent nature, the route patrol services by TRAC Concessionaires, TRACAssist, were forced to close that section of the road as a precautionary safety measure.

SANRAL spokesperson, Vusi Mona, said both the roads agency and TRAC had to act swiftly to mitigate the situation and introduce the closure to protect the lives of road users.

“Protesters blockaded the road with burnt trucks and other objects due to services delivery protests in Emalahleni, which have unfortunately spilled to the N4. We have been working closely with TRAC and the local law enforcement authorities attending to the scene to manage the situation and ensure minimum disruptions to the safe movement of goods and people,” he said.

Mona confirmed that the TRACAssist teams are also on site, assisting with traffic management and directing road users to alternative routes.

Solange Soares, Communications Manager from TRAC said they respect the right for peaceful protests, as per the South African Constitution. However, the company

condemns demonstrations which poses a safety and security threat to road users and cause damage to property.

While this situation persists, SANRAL urges motorists to avoid this area and use the following alternative routes to reach their destinations:

 

• Westbound (towards Tshwane)

After Middelburg Plaza take the N12 at the N4/N12 split, proceed for approximately 70km then take the Delmas off ramp which leads to Bronkhorstspruit (R42) from where the N4 can be reached again.

• Eastbound (towards Maputo)

Take the Bronkhorstspruit Interchange (R42) towards Delmas, then join the N12 which joins the N4 just before the Middelburg Plaza.

SANRAL apologises to road users for any inconvenience caused and commits to continue putting their safety first in such situations.
Road users requiring real-time information are urged to follow @TRACN4Route on Twitter or call the TRAC 24-hour Helpdesk in South Africa on 0800 87 22 64 (toll-free) or 082 881 4444 and in Mozambique on 800 9022.

SANRAL and KSD Local Municipality assess state of R411 Coffee Bay road

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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL and KSD Local Municipality assess state of R411 Coffee Bay road

Eastern Cape, 11 May 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality conducted an inter-governmental site assessment of the R411 Viedgesville to Coffee Bay road on Wednesday, 10 May 2023.

A delegation led by a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) of KSD Local Municipality, Councillor Ziyanda Nokayi, and SANRAL’s Southern Regional Manager, Mr Mbulelo Peterson, embarked on a site assessment to evaluate progress in emergency repairs on the R411 Viedgesville to Coffee Bay road – a major road leading to the popular tourist town.

“Today’s site visit was three-pronged in that we sought to assess progress made in the emergency pothole repair work that commenced last November after our appointment of the contractor, Rainbow Civils,” said Peterson.

“The visit also sought to assess the extent of damage to the three bridges that collapsed along the road from the floods that hit the Coffee Bay area in March this year, and to introduce to the municipality the contractor, Razzmatazz, which was appointed on 5 May 2023.”

Peterson explained that SANRAL had facilitated the site visit to introduce the contractor to the municipality, the local leadership (iNkosi and Ward Councillor) and Project Liaison Committee (PLC) to enable prompt commencement of work to restore the approaches to the bridge structures and, in turn, accessibility for the surrounding communities.

“As KSD Local Municipality, we appreciate that SANRAL has delivered on their promise that the potholes on this road would be attended to with urgency. We are happy with the progress and with SANRAL’s work in this community. We also understand that the bigger project that was announced by the former Transport Minister will be implemented in the next three to four years and look forward to that,” said Councillor Nokayi.

Derrick Mdibaniso, a member of the Mqanduli Taxi Association, who is also a PLC member for the bridge repairs project, commended the difference made by the pothole repairs done thus far along this route, which is also a taxi route, and looks forward to completion of all the repairs, especially towards the second half of the road that is in very bad condition.

The R411 Viedgesville to Coffee Bay road was transferred from a provincial road to SANRAL’s portfolio in August 2022. When SANRAL took over the 75km stretch of road, the first 30km of the road was in a fair condition, with evidence of isolated potholes, and the next 35km in a very bad condition. The road suffered further damage following floods experienced earlier this year, which worsened its poor state and led to the washaway of the approaches to the three bridges.

The emergency repairs, started last year by Rainbow Civils, are focused on pothole repairs, drainage systems, edge build-up removal and construction of edge beams where required, shoulder repairs where high drop offs are encountered, and pavement construction. The repairs have reached their halfway mark and completion is anticipated at the end of August. Four local SMMEs will be subcontracted thus far and more are expected to be engaged. This emergency contract will create up to 45 job opportunities on completion.

Mkhuseli Tofa of Kula Afrika Projects, a local company subcontracted for layer works on the emergency repair contract says this is a great opportunity that will see his company upgrading from a grade 7CE to a grade 8CE in 2024. “I am learning something new every day on this contract, especially with SANRAL’s road construction standards that we must adhere to,” he said.

The bridge repairs contract commenced on 9 May 2023. It is currently in the mobilisation phase and anticipated to conclude within a 12-month period. A minimum of 30 percent of the R80 million contract value will be subcontracted to targeted enterprises.

Councillor Nokayi said that the local leadership and the fully-representative elected PLC structure would ensure that the project is implemented smoothly and that locals benefit and participate meaningfully in the bridge repair work.

“SANRAL must work closely with the municipality to see how best to enhance the deviation road the municipality constructed after the floods, as this will be used in the interim while the Nenga Bridge is being repaired,” she added.

Peterson pointed to a prevailing challenge with bridge structures across the Eastern Cape province that experience clogging by debris and tree logs, leading to flooding and being washed away. He promised that once SANRAL commences working on the bigger project to reconstruct the Coffee Bay Road in the next three to four years, the three bridges would be assessed and be considered for reconstruction, depending on the outcome of the assessment.

Nkosi Ngubendlovu Pali, of Qhugi Village in Coffee Bay where the Nenga Bridge is situated, welcomed the intervention by SANRAL to fix the three bridges. “It’s been difficult for the community that has been using a ladder to cross the road. That has been especially difficult for the elderly. We are grateful for SANRAL’s intervention to repair the bridges for this community,” he said.

 

Blasting scheduled at the Belstone Interchange

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Blasting scheduled at the Belstone Interchange

Eastern Cape, 09 May 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting is scheduled to take place at the new Belstone Interchange in eQonce (formerly King Williams Town) at 3pm on Friday, 12 May 2023.

The blasting operations will take place at the corner of Joubert Street and the MR0688. The MR0688 and Joubert Street are currently closed.

The alternative routes through eQonce are as follows:

• Motorists travelling from East London on the N2 into eQonce will not be affected.

• Motorists travelling from Bhisho to East London may take the R63 to eQonce then proceed to the N2 to East London.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly and to use caution when making use of the roads. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

 

SANRAL and contractors saddened after worker dies at Msikaba Bridge site

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Eastern Cape, 6 May 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and contractors, the Concor/MECSA Construction Joint Venture, are saddened by the death of a construction worker who passed away at the Msikaba Bridge construction site in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape Province, on Friday, 5 May 2023.

SANRAL and the contractors, CME JV, offered their condolences to the family of the worker, who died after a fatal accident occurred at the Msikaba Bridge construction site. He worked for one of the subcontractors on the site.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and the community of Lusikisiki for this tragic accident. We want the family to know that we will take every action possible to comfort them through this challenging time”, said Laurence Savage, Project Director of CME JV.

SANRAL’s General Manager for Marketing and Communications, Vusi Mona, said the roads agency was saddened by the news.

“SANRAL and our contractor, the Concor/MECSA Construction Joint Venture, send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. We wish them strength during this difficult time. We are not in a position to name the deceased at this time,” said Mona.

SANRAL and the CME JV are undertaking an internal investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The authorities are also investing what happened.

The Msikaba Bridge contract forms part of SANRAL’s flagship N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) road infrastructure development project that starts in East London and ends along the border of the Eastern Cape province and KwaZulu-Natal province at the Mtamvuna River in Port Edward.

“We are working closely with the contractors to uncover what led to this tragic incident. The safety of our workers on site is of paramount importance to SANRAL and we want to ensure that work is implemented in a safe environment, free of injuries,” said Mona.

Before this tragic incident, the Msikaba Bridge construction site has held an exemplary record of over 3,5 million loss time injury free hours.

 

Government Commemmorates World Press Freedom Day

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Government Commemmorates World Press Freedom Day

Government joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2023. This day is set aside across the globe to realise and raise the importance of press freedom. This year’s commemoration takes place under the theme, Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights, which signifies the enabling element of freedom of expression to enjoy and protect all other human rights.

This year’s theme provides an opportunity to discuss and debate the development and protection of human rights with a focus on the link to freedom of expression within the overall human rights agenda. For South Africa, this day follows on the heels of Freedom Day, in which the country celebrated freedoms gained  since the advent of democracy. It is acknowledged that freedom of expression by the press functions as an enabler for other human rights.

Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshaveni, said: “In South Africa we have an independent, vibrant and free press, who help to verify and disseminate facts,  create  opportunities  for  ideas  to  be  debated and  for the voiceless  to  be  heard. The media’s expression contributed to the many human rights that are realised in our country and it continues to raise challenges we face.  Therefore, it is imperative that our press continues to embrace the principles of fair and objective journalism.”

In the era of mis-and-dis-information, we all have a responsibility to protect credible and bona fide news. The need for trustworthy and fact checked news for public good is crucial and growing everyday. Thus, freedom of expression, today, still requires steadfast and determined role players, to confront the real story verses fake news.

Government reaffirms its commitment to uphold the right to freedom of expression and the independence of our media as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Upgrades to N2 and N3 will speed up the free flow of goods between South Africa and the Continent, says Transport Minister

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MEDIA STATEMENT

Upgrades to N2 and N3 will speed up the free flow of goods between South Africa and the Continent, says Transport Minister

Pietermaritzburg, 2 May 2023: Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says the massive construction projects underway to expand the N2 and N3 freeways in KwaZulu-Natal shows government’s commitment to growing the economy through infrastructure development. The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), a State-owned company, has allocated R48 billion to improve the N2 and N3 in KwaZulu- Natal, creating thousands of jobs and major opportunities for the construction industry. Speaking at a ground-breaking ceremony at the Ashburton Interchange Project in the Msunduzi Municipality, Pietermaritzburg, Minister Chikunga said the multi-billion-rand road construction projects along the N3 was primarily aimed at ensuring the free flow of goods between the port of Durban and the African continent’s economic hub, Gauteng. “The N3 freeway is the most important freight and logistics corridor in South Africa which links our busiest port, Durban, with our economic hub in Gauteng, as well as our neighbouring countries in the Southern African Development Community,” said Minister Chikunga.

The Ashburton Interchange is part of the larger N2 and N3 upgrade programmes, which traverses the Msunduzi, Ethekwini and Mkhambathini municipalities, and is aimed at bolstering the capacities of South Africa’s economic arteries from the port city of Durban to the rest of and the country and continent, in line with the government’s Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs).

Minister Chikunga also conducted an on-site construction inspection and engaged with contract beneficiaries, local communities and stakeholders impacted by the road infrastructure projects within KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Minister Chikunga assured local communities and businesses that the upgrades will resolve the chronic traffic congestion and reduce road carnage, thus providing higher mobility, increased safety and a reduction in overall travel time.

“While the Msunduzi Municipality’s unemployment rate is 34.2 percent, this N3 upgrade project will create jobs and opportunities to benefit the local and business communities. It will inject economic growth into the municipality thus alleviating poverty and the unemployment rate, especially for women, youth and people with disabilities”, the Minister added.

“These infrastructure projects are not only about improving roads, road safety and creating better movement of goods and people but it is important to stress that government’s infrastructure projects are also aimed at improving the lives of the vast majority of our people,” Minister Chikunga said. “This is also inspiring. Young people must see these structures, especially engineering students, so that they are able to take up opportunities in the growth and development of our country,” she said.

Minister Chikunga also praised SANRAL as “the premier infrastructure development enterprise of government,” adding that “these massive projects are a testament to its application and adherence to world-class standards while utilising brilliant minds, skills and expertise to achieve government’s uncompromising objectives of improving the quality of our people’s lives through our road networks.

“SANRAL has played a very important role in advancing economic growth and it has become one of the key pillars in the government’s economic recovery plan,” she said.

SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana said the N2-N3 upgrades were among the most critical projects for the roads agency in unlocking economic development. “We are investing about R29bn in the N3 and R19bn in the N2 upgrades, translating into R48bn which we are investing to unlock the route between Durban and Gauteng. The port of Durban facilitates about 60% of all exports and all these investments are being done with a view to open access in and out of Durban as one of the most important infrastructure projects in South Africa”, said Mr Demana.

Demana also stressed the role that SANRAL was playing in socio-economic development. Thirty percent of SANRAL projects have to be awarded to SMMEs, local community development structures as well as local employment. We are very proud of that. We are very clear that unskilled and semi-skilled employment must come from the local municipalities and local areas where our roads traverse. That is not negotiable.”

The N2 upgrade is equally important in that it will unlock congestion along the coast for commuters travelling in and around Durban, as well as the main freight route to the port. These upgrades also significantly improve the transport links between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique in the North and the Eastern Cape in the South.

 

Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

Eastern Cape, 28 April 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting is scheduled to take place at the Breidbach Interchange on the N2 near eQonce (formerly King Williams Town) at 3pm on Wednesday, 3 May 2023.

The N2, between eQonce and East London and Welkom Street, will be closed for approximately 30 minutes.

The alternative route for motorists coming from the East London side is to take the R102 at the Berlin Interchange and proceed through the Ilitha, Ndevana and Phakamisa townships to join the R346 to eQonce. The diversion is through Zwelitsha. Similarly, from eQonce to East London, motorists are advised to take the R346 towards Zwelitsha and then take the R102 towards Phakamisa, Ndevana and Ilitha townships and then join the N2 at the Berlin Interchange.

“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly and to use caution when making use of the roads. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

 

Blasting scheduled at the Belstone Interchange

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Blasting scheduled at the Belstone Interchange

Eastern Cape, 21 April 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting is scheduled to take place at the new Belstone Interchange in eQonce (formerly King Williams Town) at 3pm, Tuesday, 25 April 2023.

The blasting operation will take place at the corner of Joubert Street and the MR0688. The MR0688 and Joubert Street are currently closed.

The alternative routes through eQonce are as follows:

  • Motorists travelling from East London on the N2 into eQonce will not be affected.
  • Motorists travelling from Bhisho to East London may take the R63 to eQonce then proceed to

    the N2 to East London.

    “Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly and to use caution when making use of the roads. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

 

Ministerial ground breaking ceremony for the R2.4 billion Ashburton Interchange

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MEDIA ALERT

Ministerial ground breaking ceremony for the R2.4 billion Ashburton Interchange

Pietermaritzburg, 20 April 2023 – The Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga, will be attending a ground breaking ceremony for the Ashburton Interchange at the Msunduzi Municipality on Monday, 24 April 2023. The Minister will be hosted by the Premier of Kwazulu-Natal, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube. In addition to the ceremony, the Minister’s itinerary during the visit will include a site inspection, an engagement with contract beneficiaries and a public address to stakeholders affected by the Ashburton Interchange project and other road infrastructure projects within KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

The Ashburton Interchange is part of the larger N2 and N3 Upgrade Programmes, often referred to as the N2/N3 upgrades. The aim of the N2 and N3 upgrades is to bolster the capacities of these economic arteries from the Durban port to the rest of South Africa and the continent in line with the ambitions set out in the Strategic Integrated Projects programme.

The projects connect the Port of Durban, the largest port in Sub-Saharan Africa, to the largest economic hubs in the country as well as our neighbouring countries in the SADC region. The upgrades will also resolve the chronic traffic congestion and reduce road carnage, thus providing higher mobility, increased safety and a reduction in overall travel time.

Members of the media wishing to cover the event can do so as per the details below:

Date: Monday, 24 April 2023

Time: 10H00 am

Venue: Ashburton Interchange

Site Office Location: 29°40’25.9″S 30°28’10.8″E

RSVP: Zenzele Bam on 072 891 5290 or Siyabonga Khuzwayo on 083 260 3555 or sanral@fticonsulting.com