SANRAL Receives Nearly R31 Billion as South Africa Battles Crumbling Roads, Deadly Crashes, and Tolling Fears

South Africa’s national roads agency is expected to receive almost R31 billion this year as government moves to repair, upgrade, expand, and protect key parts of the country’s road infrastructure.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced the allocation while presenting the Department of Transport’s R102 billion Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday.

Major Road Projects Targeted for Funding

Creecy said the SANRAL allocation will support capital spending on the non-toll road network, operations linked to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, and continued construction on the N2 Wild Coast route.

The funding will also go toward major bridge construction, new national highway sections, and the development of the Moloto Road corridor.

According to the minister, these projects are expected to improve safety, reduce travel distances, and support economic activity.

Government Links Infrastructure Spending to Jobs

Creecy said road infrastructure investment remains a major driver of employment and development.

The department expects the funded projects to create more than 35,000 job opportunities and support over 2,000 small businesses.

She said public infrastructure spending plays an important role in stimulating economic growth while improving transport access for commuters, freight operators, and export industries.

Provincial Road Transfers Raise Sustainability Concerns

The minister warned that road maintenance problems at provincial and municipal levels remain a serious concern.

Since 2013, provincial governments have transferred about 13,000km of provincial roads to SANRAL for management and maintenance.

Creecy said this approach cannot continue indefinitely because it may weaken SANRAL’s ability to maintain the national road network without relying more heavily on tolling.

Government Seeks New Road Maintenance Funding Options

To address the pressure on provinces, government plans to convene a joint meeting between National Treasury and the Department of Transport through the MINMEC forum.

The goal is to explore ways to frontload the Provincial Road Maintenance Grant so provinces can upgrade priority roads earlier instead of delaying critical work.

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Passenger Rail Recovery Shows Strong Growth

Creecy also highlighted major progress in restoring South Africa’s commuter rail system.

By the end of March 2026, annual passenger journeys had passed 100 million, representing a sixfold increase over four years.

The minister said the improvement follows sustained investment in rail infrastructure, rolling stock, security, and institutional reform.

Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape See Rail Improvements

The department is increasing train frequencies in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.

Creecy said government is also working to improve security, reduce vandalism, and reconnect communities that were previously excluded from reliable public transport.

At the end of 2025, government launched a Request for Information process to test investor interest in rapid regional rail, depot upgrades, rolling stock leasing, automated fare systems, and fibre installation.

Road Accident Fund System Under Review

The department is also reviewing the proposed Road Accident Fund Bill.

Creecy said the reforms are aimed at reducing the state’s financial exposure by introducing a no-fault system and a standardised injury compensation framework.

The RAF, which compensates people injured in road crashes, continues to face severe pressure from claim backlogs, litigation, and financial constraints.

Road Safety Described as a National Crisis

Creecy warned that South Africa’s road death rate remains among the worst in the world.

She said more than 11,418 people died on the country’s roads last year, describing road safety as a national crisis.

Government is also considering a hybrid funding model for the RAF that would combine public and private contributions to reduce pressure on state finances.

Impact and Consequences

The R31 billion allocation could improve road conditions, support construction jobs, and help small businesses benefit from public infrastructure projects.

However, the continued transfer of provincial roads to SANRAL raises long-term funding concerns. If provinces remain unable to maintain their own roads, SANRAL may face growing pressure that could affect the wider national network.

The RAF review could also reshape how accident victims are compensated, especially if government moves ahead with a no-fault and standardised compensation model.

What’s Next?

Government will engage National Treasury on ways to accelerate road maintenance funding for provinces.

SANRAL is expected to continue work on major road projects, including the N2 Wild Coast route, Moloto Road corridor, and national highway upgrades.

The Department of Transport will also continue discussions on passenger rail investment and RAF reform as it tries to stabilise key parts of the transport system.

Summary

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has announced that SANRAL is expected to receive nearly R31 billion this year for road maintenance, upgrades, rehabilitation, and expansion.

The funding forms part of the Department of Transport’s R102 billion Budget Vote and is intended to improve roads, support jobs, strengthen public transport, and address long-running challenges in road safety and accident compensation.

Bulleted Takeaways

• SANRAL is expected to receive almost R31 billion this year.
• The money will fund road maintenance, rehabilitation, upgrades, and expansion.
• Projects include the N2 Wild Coast route, Moloto Road corridor, and national highway sections.
• Government says the work could create more than 35,000 jobs.
• Over 2,000 small enterprises are expected to benefit.
• Provincial governments have transferred 13,000km of roads to SANRAL since 2013.
• Creecy warned this is not sustainable in the long term.
• Passenger rail journeys exceeded 100 million by March 2026.
• Government is reviewing the Road Accident Fund system.
• South Africa recorded more than 11,418 road deaths last year.