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UPDATE: TRAFFIC ADVISORY
NATIONAL ROUTE 3 (N3) HAVE BEEN OPENED

Pietermaritzburg, 12 February 2022 – The National Route 3 (N3) northbound and southbound in Ashburton has been reopened for traffic after a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker overturned on Friday, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The N3 has been opened in both directions but it will take time to clear the backlog. Heavy duty tow trucks were used to remove the tanker which enabled us to open the road. This will help ease the traffic that had backed up to approximately 13 kilometers,” said Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Manager.

Further updates will be shared during the day.

UPDATE: TRAFFIC ADVISORY

NATIONAL ROUTE 3 (N3) CLOSED BETWEEN ASHBURTON AND LYNNFIELD PARK

Pietermaritzburg, 12 February 2022 – The National Route 3 (N3) from Ashburton to Lynnfield Park has been closed after a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker overturned, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“Total diversion onto R103 is in place and traffic is now backed up to approximately 13 kilometers. It may take most part of the day to clear this backlog as we are dealing with a dangerous and unpredictable gas. eThekwini and N3TC are providing backup service and resources while uMgungundlovu Emergency Services are still on scene,” said Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Manager.

The tanker is still lying on its side and the cargo is unstable.

“SANRAL would like to apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this has caused to the travelling public. Motorists are advised to approach Pietermaritzburg cautiously and delay their trips if possible. The fire department technicians are working

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Lane closure on N2 Sir Lowry’s Pass, for slope stabilisation

Western Cape, 26 January 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) hereby informs road users of a lane closure on the N2 Section 2 in Sir Lowry’s Pass in the Western Cape.

SANRAL is currently executing a slope stabilisation project on the rock cutting, that involves removing loose rocks, drilling and grouting in some 600 threaded steel anchors, varying in length between 10m and 15m and then placing rock-filled gabions in 3 meter lifts which are held in place by the rock anchors.

“This work is necessitated by the long-term weathering that has occurred on a 300m stretch of exposed cut-face on the mountain side of the N2, some 400m after the hairpin bend when ascending the pass from the Gordons Bay approach,” said Senzo Ngobese, SANRAL Project Manager.

The lane closure, which is approximately 1.4 km in length, includes approximately 500m on either side of the working zone. This allows for advance warning signage and tapering. The closure is currently in effect and will remain in place until end of May 2022. This is to give the contractor sufficient working space while stabilising the slope of the rock cutting. Two way  traffic will be maintained throughout the construction period.

“SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused by the roadworks. We furthermore appeal to road users to be vigilant, patient and compliant with speed restrictions in the construction area. The long-term benefit of safer passage, by far outweigh the short-term inconvenience,” concluded
Ngobese.

MEDIA RELEASE
N7 upgrade – SANRAL engaging Swartland stakeholders about project participation

Western Cape, 8 February 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is currently engaging SMMEs and local labour for project participation opportunities that come with the R600 million upgrade of the N7 from Rooidraai to Moorreesburg.

The work entails widening the cross section of the N7 section 2 (for approximately 25km) and the construction of additional climbing lanes for improved road safety and ease of traffic flow.

With the three-month mobilisation period being concluded, the contractor, Martin & East, is advertising work packages in line with SANRAL’s Transformation Policy and government’s Preferential Procurement Regulations, which dictates that a minimum of 30% of the contract value of all projects is to be subcontracted to targeted enterprises. This prioritises economic development opportunities for black-owned entities, including women-owned businesses, youth-owned businesses and businesses owned by persons with disabilities.

“We have in the last week met with stakeholders in Malmesbury, Moorreesburg and Darling and we will continue to engage with communities in the Swartland Local Municipality as work packages are let to tender. This would ensure subcontractors have all the relevant information that allows them to tender competitively and profitably for these economic opportunities,” said Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

Part of the engagements have also been with local labour, which will be sourced from all the towns in the Swartland Local Municipality. Approximately 180 job opportunities will be available over the next three years.

“We want to ensure we make the recruitment process as transparent and inclusive as possible. To this end, we have extended the process of compiling a labour database, with communities having additional time to submit their CVs for consideration. Furthermore, we are actively driving nominations of community representatives to serve on the Project Liaison Committee (PLC) so that this oversight body can be truly reflective of the labour market,” explained Theron.

Apart from the construction project, SANRAL has also set aside funding for community development. This will involve training, capacity building and skills development that would equip people in the Swartland Local Municipality with tools to access jobs and economic development opportunities that may arise in future.

“We will be working in the Swartland Local Municipality, and by extension the West Coast District Municipality, for the next three years, and SANRAL is committed to ensuring that the people of the Swartland have maximum opportunities to benefit from this upgrade project,” concluded Theron.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Sinkhole rehabilitation on the N1 Section 21 at km 22.1 Southbound

Gauteng, 03 February 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify travellers that the N1 South bound between N1 / R21 (Flying Saucer Interchange) and Botha Avenue southbound will be closed from Sunday 6 February 2022 at 23:00hrs to Monday, 7 February 2022 at 04:00hrs. During this period only one lane will be open.

The closure is required for gravity survey testing taking place in the fast lanes of the southbound carriageway as part of the geotechnical investigations required for the remediation works on the sink hole.

The duration of the closure will be kept as short as possible.

Motorist travelling southwards towards Johannesburg may consider using the following alternative routes:

• From Polokwane, offramp at Proefplaas Interchange (145) towards Pretoria CBD using the N4 / M2 and join M3 towards Fountains and join the N14.

• From OR Tambo International airport, continue on R21 towards Fountain circle and join the N14.

“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution when making use of the roads,” said Mr. Progress Hlahla, SANRAL Northern Region’s Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL talks major infrastructure projects for Mpumalanga

Pretoria, 01 February 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has started with
the process of rolling out two major road infrastructure projects for Mpumalanga province in 2022.
Both projects are still at the design stage, which the engineers will finalise soon.

The roads agency has assigned a dedicated team of engineers and project managers to ensure the
successful design and delivery of key road infrastructure projects to unlock economic growth. This is
critical, especially for a province well known for its tourism.

According to Madoda Mthembu, SANRAL Operations and Maintenance Manager in the Northern
Region, roads are the arteries which drive the economy. They connect people to places and business
opportunities thus bringing important social benefits for local communities.

“There will be an upgrading of the N2 between Ermelo through Mkhondo to KZN and Mpumalanga
border. It is estimated that this project will cost more than R6 billion. There is also the upgrading of the
R40 between Hazyview and Bushbuckridge which is estimated to cost of more than R3 billion,” said
Mthembu.

Mthembu said the current state of the provincial infrastructure is relatively in a good condition except
in some areas where there has been damage caused by the recent heavy rains which have resulted
in the formation of potholes. However, this is a challenge being addressed on a daily basis by
appointed routine road maintenance (RRM) contractors.

There are currently 10 routine road maintenance (RRM) projects servicing the province. Two more will
be awarded before 31 March 2022. There is a Special Maintenance Project along the N17 Section 5
from Chrissiesmeer to km 85 within the Msukaligwa and Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipalities
respectively and the project will be completed approximately on 31 March 2023.

There is an upgrade project along the R573 Section 2 between Kwaggafontein and Vlaglaagte within
the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality and the estimated completion date is 28 February 2024.
There will be conventional projects awarded during the course of the 2022 which include the N11
Section 9 from Hendrina Power Station to N4 in Middelburg and the Resurfacing of N12 Sections 19
and 20 from Delmas to Orgies.

A key part of ensuring the success of the projects lies with solidifying virtuous relations with all
relevant stakeholders, including the municipalities, business forums and community structures. As
things stand, the existing relationship with all stakeholders is good with a few exceptions where there
is further engagement and consultation taking place.

Previous projects have been known to have experienced stakeholder challenges, such as contractors
or community members who disrupt projects and wish to participate without following proper
procedures. However, SANRAL has embarked on a drive to ensure there is continuous engagement
with stakeholders to reach a mutual consensus and compromise that benefits all affected parties.

The projects will benefit the community through the creation of jobs and local SMMEs an opportunity
to participate in the project. All projects will have Project Liaison Committee (PLC) to oversee the
participation of local SMME’s in the projects. The tenders for SMME’s will be advertised under the
auspices of the PLC to ensure maximum participation.

“All SANRAL projects have a subcontracting component as per the government legislation; 30% for all
conventional projects and between 40% and 60% for RRM projects,” said Mthembu.

SANRAL will continue its vision of ensuring a national road transport system which will deliver on a
better South Africa for all.

MEDIA RELEASE
Home stretch for the completion of N14 Kathu intersections

Northern Cape, 25 January 2022 – Construction will commence in the next two months on the uncompleted intersections on the N14 between Olifantshoek and Kathu, which have caused much frustration to road users.

Following an exhaustive procurement process, as directed by government’s Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) yesterday handed over the project to
the new contractor to complete the outstanding works over the next 12 months. SANRAL met with SMMEs and communities in the Gamagara Local Municipality on Friday, to explain the economic and project participation opportunities that come with the completion of the project.

“We are delighted to see this project finally entering the final stages of completion. The intersections are a major road safety concern, and we are happy that SANRAL is prioritising road safety in our community. The jobs and subcontracting opportunities are a welcome boost to our local economy,” said Councillor Ophaketse Hantise, Mayor of the Gamagara Local Municipality.

The three intersections have largely remained incomplete due to the original contractor being in breach and failing to perform in accordance with the contract. SANRAL therefore had to terminate the contract. Attempts to award a new contract were also scuppered when the tender process had to be cancelled as there were no eligible or compliant tenders received.

As an interim measure, and in the interest of road safety, emergency road repairs to the temporary bypasses for the three intersections, which were badly damaged during incessant flooding in the Northern Cape, were completed in 2021. Fortunately, the SANRAL Routine Road Maintenance team have also assisted with managing traffic accommodation, maintaining the bypasses and effecting pothole repairs.

“While those emergency repairs to the temporary bypasses were pivotal in maintaining safe passage, it is a huge relief that a contractor will finally be able to complete the intersections in line with the original engineering designs,” said Friedl van der Merwe, SANRAL Project Manager.

The completion of the works will furthermore have a direct economic impact on the community, with project participation opportunities for SMMEs and work for local labour in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District.

In line with SANRAL’s Transformation Policy and government’s Preferential Procurement Regulation, a minimum of 30% of the contract value of all projects is to be subcontracted to targeted enterprises, in a bid to prioritise economic development opportunities for black-owned entities. These include women-owned businesses, youth-owned businesses and persons with disabilities,” explained Morn? Windvogel, SANRAL’s Transformation Officer in the Western Region.

In the interest of transparency and fair business practices, all SANRAL projects are guided by a 14-point plan that sets the tone for project liaison, subcontracting and labour sourcing, as well as a commitment to its transformation policy.

This plan also includes the appointment of a Project Liaison Committee (PLC) which has oversight over SANRAL projects – but does not influence who is awarded tenders or who get jobs on those projects. “

We are currently engaging with various stakeholders in the province, including business chambers and sector formations, local government, SMMEs and other civil society interest groups, in a bid to attract nominations for PLC members, so that we can ensure a well-constituted PLC that will represent the interests of all stakeholders,” explained Van der Merwe.

SANRAL remains committed to completing this project as quickly as possible and appeals to road users to be patient with road conditions during the construction period. There may be some short-term inconvenience experienced in and around the construction area, but the long-term benefits of safer intersections that will aid improved traffic flow, by far outweigh the inconvenience.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL TO INVEST OVER R90 MILLION IN XHARIEP DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

Free State Province, 28 January 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will invest more than R90 million on a road infrastructure project in the Xhariep District Municipality in the Free State Province.

Addressing the local business community of Trompsburg, James Takalo, SANRAL Eastern Region’s transformation officer, says this investment – which will include the upgrading of existing unsurfaced roads to surfaced roads from Springfontein to Trompsburg – will provide much-needed job opportunities for local communities. The project is in the Mohokare and Kopanong local municipalities, which fall under the Xhariep District.

“The project is divided into two packages. Package One, which is valued at R 45 011 527, starts at section 13 from Springfontein South to Section 14 Springfontein North, while Package Two, which is valued at R 45 100 000, will begin at section 14 from Springfontein North to Trompsburg .

Each package has a community development budget of R3 million that will go towards community development projects to be identified by the community.

“The Contract Participation Goal (CPG) plan has been acknowledged by the project liaison committee (PLC) members and work is ready to start. We are excited at the economic prospect that this will bring, particularly as the road construction industry begins to recover from the onslaught of Covid-19,” said Takalo.

“Working together with local community structures in municipalities, PLCs are established to ensure better communication and transparency on SANRAL projects, as well as ensuring that work done on projects is done seamlessly,” said Monageng Mokgojwa, SANRAL Eastern Region’s stakeholder coordinator.

Consultants for both work packages and other industry players also attended and explained their role and shared the scope of the work with the local business community.

“Our aim is to ensure that the previously marginalised sectors of our economy – including women, young people, people with disabilities and black contractors – play a meaningful role and succeed in a construction industry that has largely been non-transformative. We will continue to do this guided by our transformation policy and our Horizon 2030 strategy.

“Our transformation policy sets clearly defined targets for black contractors, professionals and suppliers to participate in all of our commissioned projects. As SANRAL we also continue to be mindful of the impact that our procurement policy and practices have on the socio-economic conditions of South Africans in general and the transformation of the construction industry,” said Takalo.

The SANRAL Eastern Region also has a supplier development desk that assists SMMEs with information about tender opportunities that the road agency offers. The help desk also provides information as well as assistance with registration on the central supplier database (CSD), the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and training opportunities that may arise.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS OF COURT ORDER DEFIANCE

Pretoria, 27 January 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to state on record that it has not been nor is it currently in any wilful defiance of any court order. Any assertions to the contrary are simply sensationalist and will be dealt with through legal processes.

On the 15th of November 2021, Her Lordship Mrs Justice Van Der Schyff J granted a default order against SANRAL, in favour of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA). In response, ENSafrica, acting on behalf of SANRAL, informed OUTA’s attorneys of the instruction to issue an application overturning the default order. OUTA’s attorney was fully aware of SANRAL’s intention to submit the application.

SANRAL’s failure to timeously oppose the application, which lead to the default order, was as a result of an error and will be dealt with fully during the court proceedings.

In addition, OUTA has instituted two other identical cases against SANRAL, involving the Bakwena concessionaire contract and the N3TC concessionaire contract, where private and confidential information of the concessionaries in question, is being sought, without the consent of the concessionaires. SANRAL is equally opposing these applications.
SANRAL’s position regarding the matter is as follows:

1. ) In 2020, SANRAL received an application wherein private, proprietary and confidential information in relation to the N3TC concessionaire contract was sought by OUTA.
2. ) On 22 February 2021, OUTA delivered further similar applications involving information on the Bakwena concessionaire contract and TRAC concessionaire contract, here, an error occurred which resulted in the confusion of the case numbers. SANRAL opposed the application pertaining to the Bakwena concessionaire contract.
3. ) The matter involving TRAC’s concessionaire contract was heard on an unopposed basis on 15 November 2021 and the default order was then granted without SANRAL’s involvement, due to human error.
4. ) The default order was then served to SANRAL on 19 November 2021 following which the agency sought legal representation to challenge the order. This was fully communicated to OUTA’s attorneys. TRAC’s attorneys also informed OUTA’s attorneys of an objection to the release of TRAC’s private and proprietary information as well as an intention to intervene in the court proceedings as soon as possible through the institution of a rescission application.
5. ) In December 2021, SANRAL’s attorney invited OUTA’s attorneys to withdraw the court proceedings and allow SANRAL to respond to the PAIA application (and provide TRAC with an opportunity to respond). OUTA refused to do so. From this it was clear that OUTA does not have benevolent intentions in its PAIA request. Instead, it seeks to coerce SANRAL into delivering private and confidential information of third parties, by pursuing an application to have SANRAL declared contemptuous of the default order and ultimately have its former CEO committed to prison, which SANRAL considers to be a scheme of sort.
6. ) OUTA was invited as long ago as 8 December 2021 to permit SANRAL to respond to OUTA’s PAIA request. OUTA, however, elected to put SANRAL to the pains of applying for the rescission of the Order. A matter that was not brought to the attention of the court in its current application for contempt of court, which SANRAL is in the process of opposing.

The issues above will be dealt with fully during court proceedings. What is important to mention at this stage is that SANRAL reacted swiftly to the default order as it was received and is willing to cooperate with the rule of law.