DA demands the real reasons for the cancellation of SANRAL projects worth R17 billion
20 May 2022
The DA has written to the acting CEO of SANRAL, Lehlohonolo Memeza, to demand the reasons for the cancellation of road projects due to begin shortly in various locations including KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
These contracts, worth over R17 billion, were awarded to effect essential work on the Mtentu River Bridge (R3.4 billion), The EB Cloete N3 interchange in Durban (R4.3 billion), the N3 Ashburton interchange in Pietermaritzburg (R1.8 billion) and the R56 in Matatiele, amongst others.
A spokesperson for SANRAL defended the decision citing a ‘material irregularity’ in the tender process and a failure to implement a ‘board resolution’ from 2020.
This cancellation decision create a crisis for the construction industry and the recovery of the South African economy. The tenders involved are instrumental to the survival of the construction industry and become a lost opportunity cost.