Chinese firm hired to fix SA’s wrecked roads after crime chases off contractor

Welcome to the challenges facing South Africa’s infrastructure! The country needs a whopping R307 billion to repair and enhance its national road system, on top of already costly upgrades to ports, rails, and electricity. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy revealed that the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has 1,437 projects requiring design and construction work.

Sanral, managing 4% of the nation’s 750,000km road network, faces delays due to issues like contractors going out of business and organized crime extorting demands. Companies like China Communications Construction Company have been brought in to finish projects when contractors quit.

With Sanral’s small portion of the extensive road network carrying 70% of the nation’s long-distance freight, the need for upgrades is critical. Provincial road projects alone have budgets averaging R17 billion annually through 2027, with many projects incomplete, abandoned, or delayed.

To combat these challenges, Creecy recommends reinforcing governance structures within the police to support the transport department and enhancing project monitoring. Stay updated on these developments with our Business Briefing newsletter – sign up now!