22 September 2026, Pretoria – Recent social media posts have suggested that former South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited’s (SANRAL) CEO is a Nigerian national. As his former employer and according to records in SANRAL’s possession, Mr. Demana is a South African of Venda descent.

There has also been a suggestion on social media that Mr. Progress Hlahla, SANRAL Gauteng’s Provincial Head, is or was responsible for the appointment of Moriel Infrastructure Group, the company associated with Mr. Lawrence Mudzinganyama, who recently made headlines after threatening to kill women at a Sandton restaurant.

SANRAL can confirm that Mr. Hlahla is a Zimbabwean national and got his permanent residence status in South Africa in 2013. He is a qualified civil engineer with a master’s degree in project and construction management and a master’s in business administration. He joined SANRAL in 2016

SANRAL can also confirm that the two SANRAL projects awarded to the Moriel Infrastructure Group (associated with Mr. Mudzinganyama) are not in the Gauteng Province where Mr. Hlahla is the Provincial Head.

We remind our stakeholders and the public in general that there is an investigation currently underway, directed by the Minister of Transport Ms Barbara Creecy, to establish whether the Moriel Infrastructure Group was lawfully appointed and if it is fulfilling its contractual obligations to SANRAL. Any speculations or purported findings about the investigations would be premature and irresponsible.

-ENDS-

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Issued by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL). For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za