MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL keeps Limpopo roads safe this festive season
Limpopo, 23 December 2022 – With travellers making their way to different parts of Limpopo this festive season, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has been busy fixing potholes, resurfacing roads and erecting and maintaining road signs across the province – all to ensure that families get to their destinations safe and sound.
The province recently launched its integrated Festive Season Safety Campaign near the Zion City (Moria), which seeks to promote safety on the roads and curb criminal activities.
SANRAL and the Limpopo provincial government are hard at work ensuring that the N1 from Pretoria to the Beitbridge Border post runs smoothly and safely this festive season.
A significant number of potholes in Limpopo have already been repaired as part of Operation Vala Zonke, a joint venture between the national Department of Transport and SANRAL The province has set itself a target of fixing 180 000 square metres of potholes by the end of January next year.
SANRAL’s Northern Regional Manager, Progress Hlahla, said: “We have improved road safety for road users in different districts of Limpopo to ensure that holiday traffic flows smoothly.
“The agency has managed to create a safer environment for motorists and general road users as the identified roads are now smooth. The road surfaces are well kept with neat lane markings, additional road signs, and painting of road markings to improve the safety of both vehicles and pedestrians.”
Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Florence Radzilani commended SANRAL for constructing state-of-the-art roads in the province.
She also assured holidaymakers that their safety is a top priority and a contingent of law enforcement officers would “be out 24 hours” to ensure visitors have an enjoyable stay.
Said Radzilani: “Limpopo is among the top five provinces in the country with the highest number of fatalities, along with KZN, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.
“Currently, the R71 is the second most dangerous road nationally when it comes to pedestrians who are killed by motor vehicles.”
“What makes Limpopo different from other parts of the country is the N1, which connects South Africa and Zimbabwe and the rest of the African continent.
“Motorists coming from Gauteng may use the Polokwane Eastern Ring Road to avoid congestion in town. The same applies to those travelling to Zimbabwe; they can use the recently opened Musina Ring Road to avoid congestion in the border town.
“SANRAL constructed awesome driving roads and I believe that holidaymakers will enjoy the ride.”
Radzilani said she would be joining traffic officials on road safety operations throughout the province and warned motorists not to drink and drive.