Mpumalanga needs R38 billion to repair and maintain its crumbling road network, officials told the National Council of Provinces during an oversight visit yesterday.

The province’s Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport revealed the massive rehabilitation backlog whilst showing delegates the severely damaged R36 road in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. The deteriorating infrastructure poses serious risks to both daily commuters and tourists travelling through one of South Africa’s key economic regions.

Roads handed to SANRAL without funding

Provincial authorities have transferred several roads, including the R36, to the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) because they lack the budget to fix them. The handover came with one crucial condition – the roads cannot be tolled after upgrades.

However, SANRAL told the NCOP delegation that the roads were transferred without any budget allocation. The agency must now raise funds independently to reconstruct the badly damaged routes, with work on the R36 potentially starting only in 2028.

Mining companies step in with temporary fix

Delegates expressed concern that 2028 is too far away, given the road’s hazardous condition. In the meantime, mining companies have invested R70 million to make the R36 marginally safer for users.

Officials said most provincial roads have been damaged by heavy vehicles, particularly coal haulage trucks transporting loads that should be moved by rail rather than road.

Railway migration offers long-term solution

The NCOP heard that pressure on provincial roads would ease significantly once the government’s road-to-rail migration initiative takes effect. The programme aims to shift heavy freight and cargo transport from roads to railway networks.

Mpumalanga Provincial Whip in the NCOP Syvia Nxumalo said roads are essential infrastructure for economic growth and welcomed SANRAL’s intervention, but raised concerns about the timeline.

“We believe it is a positive intervention, but we are concerned that 2028 is a bit far for the reconstruction of the R36. We wish if SANRAL could speed up their processes because there is no road left there. What we saw there is serious hazard to our motorists and tourists who use that road daily,” Nxumalo said.

The NCOP delegation will today engage with provincial government, Nkangala District Municipality and Emakhazeni Local Municipality on progress made implementing 2025 resolutions. They will also visit HA Grove Belfast Hospital and inspect the Integrated Residential Development Programme in Emakhazeni.