The Democratic Alliance (DA) rejects and condemns the Mpumalanga department of Public Works, Roads and Transport move to pass road maintenance and management to the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) as it will pave a way for more toll gates and higher fees for ordinary citizens.
Instead of building internal capacity and ensuring sustainable road infrastructure, the provincial department has opted to transfer critical road maintenance responsibilities to SANRAL. This is a very significant shirking of responsibility. A whole Department exists, is staffed, funded, resourced – with offices, fleets of vehicles – and now instead of doing its job it will continue to exist, but will pass its job on to another entity.
This clear abdication of responsibilities will have a far-reaching consequence on taxpayers. SANRAL’s maintenance model relies heavily on toll fees, which points to the fact that residents will likely have to face increased toll gate fees, or the installation of new toll gates on Mpumalanga provincial roads. This additional financial strain on taxpayers comes at a time when many South Africans are already struggling with the rising costs of living.
The DA reiterates that the maintenance of roads is the core mandate of the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport. By transferring this responsibility to SANRAL, the department is not only admitting to its failures but also is actively signalling to its inability to utilize public funds effectively. This decision is an outright acknowledgment of failure and an indictment of the department’s management.
The DA demands that the department takes immediate steps to strengthen its internal capacity to maintain its roads effectively and will propose the following:
1. The development of skilled, competent, and accountable engineers, technologists, technicians, and artisans to oversee maintenance projects in each district,
2. The exploration of public-private partnership (PPP’s), not to abdicate responsibilities, but to supplement the good work presently done, and
3. Conducting a thorough audit of all provincial roads and creating a database (this can be done through GIS) to create strategic plans for the maintenance and upgrade of deteriorating road links without the reliance on SANRAL.
The DA will continue to fight for a capable and accountable state that serves its people without passing the buck or adding unnecessary financial strain. What is the point in having a Department of Roads, if increasingly roads are handed to a national entity?
Provincial roads are a vital public good and an economic stimulator. Their maintenance should remain the direct responsibility of the PWRT.
We will not allow Mpumalanga residents to pay the price for the department’s failures.