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MEDIA STATEMENT

Africa’s record, South Africa’s pride: Mtentu Bridge will help local communities build mega dreams

Eastern Cape, 29 November 2022 – In four months, work will start on what is expected to be Africa’s tallest bridge, the Mtentu Bridge, which will run across the Mtentu River in Mbizana in the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Municipality, rising 223m into the Eastern Cape sky.

Introducing the contractor behind the mammoth construction project at an event on Monday, national Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula and officials from the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) spelt out to surrounding communities how more than R1-8-billlion of the total R4.05-billion cost had been ring-fenced for local SMMEs.

SANRAL awarded the tender to the Chinese Communications Construction Company (CCCC)-MECSA joint venture, after it was cancelled in May and re-advertised for fresh bidding. Construction is expected to start in March 2023, creating 2 500 full time equivalent jobs.

“Over R1.8-billion will be expended on targeted local enterprises. This will be derived from the subcontracting to be undertaken by the main contractor on the bridge structure, as well as the construction of associated roads.

“Three local community access roads will be built as labour, enhanced training programmes, and the local provincial gravel road network leading from the R61 will be improved and maintained in order to allow access to the site by the many vehicles and heavy freight required for construction,” the minister said.

Minister Mbalula was accompanied by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane.

Minister Mbalula said residents would benefit from jobs and skills transfer through the project. He said about R141m would be paid in salaries to local labour and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) will benefit to the tune of about R1.8bn.
He said in addition to economic benefits, the Mtentu Bridge would also bring communities together.
“We appreciate communities for their commitment and willingness to work with government. I want to encourage all communities of the Wild Coast to embrace the
opportunities that come with government’s major infrastructure projects,” Mbalula added.

He said: “It prides me that we are gathered after having traversed a long journey to the reinstating of a contractor to this site.”
Premier Mabuyane urged communities to support the development which “is meant to change people’s lives and the socioeconomic conditions of our province”.

The premier said there would be many more opportunities in tourism and in the oceans’ economy once the bridge was built.
The Mtentu Bridge forms part of the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project, which Is SANRAL’s flagship project in the Eastern Cape.

The N2WCR project comprises a 410km route running from the Gonubie Interchange in East London to the Mtamvuna River on the border of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, near Port Edward

The N2WCR is strategically positioned on the N2 route which connects four provinces: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga – running through the cities of Cape Town, George, Port Elizabeth, East London, Mthatha, Durban and Ermelo.

Minister Mbalula said the entire N2WCR project would create approximately 8 000 direct full-time jobs, with a wage bill of around R750-million and between 21 000 and 28 000 indirect jobs.

Mtentu is the second mega bridge on N2WCR plan and, together with the Msikaba Bridge, would form part of the 112 kilometres of new highway between Port St Johns and Port Edward.
Once complete, about seven interchanges and various access roads would ensure a faster and safer travel experience for local and international tourists around the Wild Coast.

Minister Mbalula said he was considering a request from the Eastern Cape provincial government for the Mtentu Bridge to be named after local political legend, Khumani Anderson Ganyile.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

PHASE 1 REPAIRS TO THE N2 AMANZIMTOTI SET FOR COMPLETION JUST IN TIME BEFORE THE FESTIVE SEASON BEGINS

Pietermaritzburg, 2 December 2022 – Phase 1 repairs to restore mobility on the N2 Amanzimtoti northbound carriageway are set to be completed in the week commencing 5 December 2022, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The contract to fix the N2 Amanzimtoti is still out on tender. The repairs that are being completed in the week starting 5 December 2022 is temporary routine road maintenance (RRM) work to keep traffic flowing on both lanes of the northbound carriageway,” said Trevor Zumani, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager. The damage on the N2 Amanzimtoti occurred on 3 April 2022 and, while SANRAL was conducting in-depth investigations and preparing for the necessary designs and repairs to this failure, KwaZulu-Natal experienced floods from 11 to 13 April 2022, which resulted in minor and major failures throughout the network. “The completion of the works depend on good weather as delays will be encountered if it rains,” said Zumani.

SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience caused to motorists.

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Postponed: Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

Eastern Cape, 1 December 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting, that was scheduled to take place today at the Breidbach Interchange on the N2 near King Williams Town, has been postponed.

The blast will now take place at 3pm on Monday, 5 December 2022.

The N2, between King Williams Town 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 (formerly King Williams Town). The diversion is through Zwelitsha. Similarly, from eQonce to East London, motorists are advised to take the R346 towards Zwelitsha, and then 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.

SANRAL AND KZN GOVERNMENT STRIVE TO PAVE A SMOOTH ROAD
TO THE COAST FOR HOLIDAYMAKERS

KZN, 29 November 2022 – Holidaymakers preparing to join the annual pilgrimage down to KwaZulu-Natal can rest assured that the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and the provincial government are working hard to ensure that the N3 to the coast runs smooth and safe this festive season.

The province recently launched its Integrated Safety Month and Festive Season Enforcement Campaign, which seeks to promote safety on the road and curb crime.
SANRAL is finishing up work at Town Hill (Peter Brown), on the N3 between Sanctuary and Link Road, to ensure that holiday traffic will flow smoothly come December.

KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube assured visitors to the province that their safety was the Zulu Kingdom’s number one priority and additional law enforcement officers would “be out in full force” to ensure holidaymakers have a memorable stay.
Dube-Ncube said KZN was expecting a very busy festive season and police had declared a zero-tolerance policy for motorists who violate rules of the road. “Deaths on our roads have reached crisis levels. One death is one too many,” said the premier.
SANRAL, National Traffic Police under RTMC, RTI, and other provincial and local roads authorities are working together to make our roads safer, hence many joint operations that involves all spheres of government.

SANRAL and KZN Department of Transport are also engaging with the freight and logistics industry because our roads cannot be turned into mass grave sites and places of untimely deaths. The ongoing engagements involve participation in CSI initiatives, as well as prioritizing law enforcement and visible policing, which ultimately result in behaviour change.

SANRAL had indicated that work at Town Hill will be wrapped up by the holiday so that the road is fully open, given the significant increase in traffic volumes during the festive holiday season.

Various measures were taken by SANRAL to ensure traffic safety during the construction period. Extra road signage and warnings were posted from as far as 2km away from the working zone, alerting motorists to the fact that only two lanes of the highway were open each way. CCTV cameras were installed, more flag persons were on duty and additional officers from the national, provincial and local traffic authorities added their efforts to SANRAL’s road safety initiatives.

Advanced, high-visibility warnings and speed-restriction signage, requiring heavy vehicles to travel not more than 40km/hr within the construction zone, was also part of the safety plan.

All heavy vehicles were compelled to undergo a stop before proceeding down the steep south-bound carriageway.
SANRAL began work on the project in March last year. Changes to procurement regulations and the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic had delayed the start of construction. The total repair costs are estimated around R340-million.
Thabiso Dladla, SANRAL Eastern Region project manager said SANRAL had employed safety measures on the Town Hill N3 project that go far beyond legal or contractual compliance. Dladla said the project had opened up many job opportunities for locals and skilled South Africans from across the country.

The project engaged specialist engineers, supervising engineers, road construction plant operators, expert road layers, technicians and other professionals and a host of general workers.

Nonhlanhla Mncwabe, a 28-year-old from iMbali township in Pietermaritzburg, said she was unemployed before the project gave her new hope. The mother of one was among a group of workers completing construction of a guard drain on the southern carriageway. She was engaged in cleaning and general work.

“I started working here in April last year and the money I make has allowed me not only to help put food on the table for my family, but I’ve also been able to extend our home, fix the roof and fence our family home,” she said.
Nokuthula Mkhize, 41, a flag person on the project, said she was initially fearful of being run over by big trucks on the N3 but soon got used to her job. “This job has allowed me to do many things for my family. I have been able to pay medical insurance for my eight-year-old son, who is epileptic, and also pay for his caregiver,” she said.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate
Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

Eastern Cape, 25 November 2022: 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 King Williams Town at 3pm on Thursday, 1 December 2022.

The N2, between King Williams Town 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 (formerly King Williams Town). 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.

Media Release

Moneyweb Issues Apology

Following the cancellation of five tenders by the Board during May this year, the readvertising of the tenders, the appointment of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to evaluate those tenders and the subsequent award earlier this month, the media coverage has potentially caused anxiety among our staff.

Once news broke of the awards, media reports surfaced widely, but instead of lauding the conclusion of the process in a fair, open, transparent and timeous manner, the narrative focused on the award of the tenders to Chinese companies, over South African contenders. A further narrative soon emerged, to discredit the process and challenge the compliance/eligibility of the successful bidders, citing expired CIDB registrations and insufficient CIDB Grading.

SANRAL meticulously set out to correct the inaccuracies, responding directly to the fictitious allegations, with evidence of compliance on the part of the winning bidders.

This negative narrative was specifically perpetuated by Moneyweb, and following direct engagement by our legal team, as well as the evidence provided in multiple media releases, Moneyweb has just published an apology and retracted the incorrect information.

https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/apology-cscec-and-mecsa-comply-with-sanral-tender-requirements/

Indeed a victory for SANRAL, and we hope that this assuages any fears and anxiety that you may have had regarding the integrity of the process. SANRAL remains committed to getting South Africans working again.

SANRAL provides evidence of compliance in tender awards

Pretoria, 20 November 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to address the growing narrative of irregularities and non-compliance regarding the award of tenders to joint ventures (JVs) with Chinese companies, by providing evidence of compliance on the part of the winning bidders.

It has been contended that the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) status of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) is expired. CSCEC South Africa (Pty) Ltd has the following credentials according to CIDB records (**evidence attached):

• CRS Number: 10092658

• Grade: 9CE

• Expiry: 21/2/2023 It would appear that the media house that has published the story is confusing CSCEC Southern Africa, which is different from CSCEC South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

It is further contended that the enterprise status of Mota Engil Construction South Africa (MECSA) is listed as “DeRegistered”. Again, MECSA Construction is the company that forms part of the JV that won one of the bids, and it has the following credentials according to CIDB records (evidence attached):

• CRS Number: 157304

• Grade: 9CE

• Expiry: 11/03/2024

The said media house is confusing Mota Engil Construction South Africa with MECSA Construction. This lack of attention to detail is unfortunate as it can lead both the writer and the reader into believing a false narrative.

SANRAL reiterates its position that proper processes were followed in the award of the four tenders in question. The tenders were adjudicated by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in a fair and transparent process where any and all eligible South African companies had the opportunity to submit a compliant tender.

Mr Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager for Communications and Marketing, said: “The apparent obsession with discrediting the process and perpetuating an anti- Asian narrative is not useful. South Africa enjoys fraternal relations with China within BRICS and China is one of SA’s largest trading partners. Moreover, South African law does not prohibit any foreign company from doing business in the country.”

“We hope that having supplied the portfolio of evidence that reflects the compliance and eligibility of the companies which won the tenders, will put this matter to rest so we can get on with responding to our core mandate, to develop and maintain the national road network. South Africans need to start working and SANRAL is committed to making that possible.”

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL shares road construction investment plans at Eastern Cape Investment Conference

Eastern Cape, 17 November 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has invested more than R8bn in roads construction projects in the Eastern Cape Province over the past three years, said Marlize Nel-Verwey, SANRAL Southern Regional Project Manager.

She was speaking at the inaugural Eastern Cape Investment Conference which took place in East London yesterday (Wednesday). SANRAL was invited to participate in the conference because the roads agency is one of the province’s key investors, with road infrastructure projects and a national road network that continues to be a catalyst for socio-economic development in the province, providing much-needed job opportunities and developing skills in the Eastern Cape.

“Over the past three years alone, SANRAL has invested just over R8bn in the Eastern Cape, with about 82% of our projects benefitting majority black-owned companies. We also intend to spend just over R60bn on road infrastructure in the province over the next five years,” said Nel-Verwey.

SANRAL Board Chairperson Themba Mhambi said the Eastern Cape Province is a major province on SANRAL’s portfolio largely because the province has been ignored historically when it comes to investing in roads infrastructure.

“At SANRAL we link infrastructure development to economic development in our country. We see ourselves as not only responsible for building and maintaining the national road network, but we also extend our mandate to be one of a catalyst for economic growth and development. The developments that SANRAL has undertaken in the Eastern Cape are linked to other secondary roads in the province and we continue to ensure integration and synergy with local and provincial roads that do not necessarily fall within our mandate,” said Mhambi.

The investment conference was a unique opportunity for the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, working together with its socio-economic partners, to explore investment opportunities in the province.

Welcoming SANRAL’s investment in the province, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane mentioned the roads agency as one of the province’s 11 new investors who are joining the provincial economy with a combined investment value of R46.5 billion.

“We welcome these new investors to our Province. Their contribution will certainly make a huge difference in our provincial economy and create jobs for our people. We implore the host municipalities to take good care of these new investors,” said Mabuyane.

“Over the past three financial years the provincial government invested over R22.7 billion on social and economic infrastructure. Over the next three financial years we project that our investment on 2

social and economic infrastructure will have accumulated to R24.6 billion, while local government will invest R21.5 billion for social and economic infrastructure in our province.”

“All this infrastructure spending supports the provision of education, health, human settlements as well as building new and maintaining the existing transport network in the province. We do this because we appreciate the strategic and catalytic role that public sector investment plays to crowd in private sector investments,” added Mabuyane.

SANRAL’s projects in the Eastern Cape Province are at various degrees of completion: some are completed while others are under construction, under the tender and evaluation stage, or in the planning phase for the current financial year.

Some of the key projects that have been completed include the special maintenance project from the R75 national road in Jansenville to the R63/R75 intersection; this project amounted to R125 million. In the Buffalo City Metro, the Breidbach and Belstone interchanges project on the N2 national road is currently under construction at a total cost of R437m, and the improvement of the N2 Green River to King Williams Town project at a total cost of R500 million is also under construction.

The Mtentu Bridge contract on the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project, valued at R4.05billion, and the R56 Matatiele project, valued at R1.2 billion, have recently been awarded. There are also various community development projects in parts of the province currently been undertaken during this financial year.

MEDIA STATEMENT

SANRAL Tenders – Fact vs Fiction

Pretoria, 16 November 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is disturbed by repeated efforts by some media houses to discredit the recent award of four tenders on key infrastructure projects. Notwithstanding SANRAL’s efforts to address media enquiries with substantive facts, some media houses continue to present fictitious narratives to the public.

SANRAL would like to assure the South African public that proper processes were followed in the award of the four tenders in question. The tenders were adjudicated by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in a fair and transparent process where any and all eligible South African companies had the opportunity to submit a compliant tender.

Allegations that China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), one of the JV partners in the Mtentu Bridge contract, has a 1CE Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Grading, are baseless and therefore fictitious.

Fact: CSCEC’s CIDB grading is 9CE, which is a key requirement needed for companies to bid for a contract of this magnitude. Furthermore, CSCEC’s CIDB registration is valid until 21 February 2023.

Allegations that Mota Engil Construction South Africa (MECSA), the other partner in the JV for the construction of Mtentu Bridge, who also has a 9CE CIDB Grading, is a deregistered entity, are also fictitious.

Fact: MECSA’s CIDB registration is valid until 11 March 2024.

Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager, Communications and Marketing said: “We have always welcomed industry watchdogs and active citizenry, designed to hold government and its agencies to account. The level of witch-hunting we are seeing now, however, is destructive and counter-productive, particularly at a time when SANRAL is spearheading economic recovery through prioritised public infrastructure upgrades.”

Added to that, the opinion reportedly expressed by SAICE President, Marianne Vanderschuren, that foreign companies are coming into South Africa to do work because it is “almost impossible” for South African contractors to work in the country due to construction mafia issues, is not helpful.

SANRAL has several major construction projects in progress, where a concerted effort is made to prioritise stakeholder relations, with all stakeholders, both those who are disgruntled and those who openly laud SANRAL for the economic and skills development benefits its projects bring to South Africa.

In the last financial year alone, SANRAL provided 1,684 SMMEs with work on construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects. The total amount earned through these contracts was R2,330,241,038. Black-owned SMMEs derived significant benefit, accounting for 88.05% of contracts awarded and 89.6% of the value of the work performed.

The law prescribes that foreign companies are free to conduct business in South Africa, as much as there are South African construction companies doing business in other parts of Africa and the world.

“We are constantly reminded that South Africa and Africa should take up its place in the global village and by extension, that also means welcoming the input of other countries in our quest to develop South Africa’s knowledge economy,” said Mona. “We trust that those who are unhappy with the outcomes of a fair and transparent process, in line with our laws and regulations, will be guided by the facts and not make things up to suit their agendas.”

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SLOW LANE ON N3 SANCTUARY ROAD TO LINK ROAD

Pietermaritzburg, 11 November 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) hereby informs road users that the reconstruction of the slow lane on the N3 from Sanctuary Road to Link Road will result in intermittent road closures.

“Due to the rainfall during the past month, the contractor was unable to move the barriers on the south-bound carriageway during the night. This is severely hampering the opening of the road so that the remaining works can be completed timeously,” said Thabiso Dladla, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

To maintain the safety of the workforce as well as all the road users, the following rolling closures of the road to a single lane will be implemented this Saturday, 12 November and Sunday, 13 November 2022:

• The road will be reduced to one lane for 30 minutes from 09h00 to load the barriers.
• Thereafter the road will be opened for two-lane traffic for 60 minutes while the barriers are being off-loaded off site and the truck returns to collect more barriers.
• This sequence will continue until midnight.
• The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will also assist in controlling the traffic.
• Should there be delays during the weekend, the sequence may also occur on Monday 14 November 2022.

The alternate route for possible use by light motor vehicles only during this period is as follows: Old Howick Road (R103) Motorists travelling to Durban can take the Cedara turn-off and drive along the R103 to join the N3 at the Armitage Road on-ramp.

All vehicles above 8-ton MAY NOT use the R103 and will have to factor in extra travel time.

“SANRAL would like to appeal to motorists to adhere to the warning signs and reduce speed when approaching the construction sites. Motorists are asked to adhere strictly to all the speed restrictions and to plan their trips accordingly,” said Dladla.