Mpumalanga requires about R38 billion to rehabilitate and maintain its damaged provincial road network, the provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport told Parliament on Wednesday.
Oversight visit highlights critical condition of the R36
Members of Mpumalanga’s delegation to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) made an oversight visit to the badly damaged R36 in the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality as part of the NCOP’s Provincial Week programme. The department disclosed the R38 billion estimate during that visit and flagged numerous provincial routes that require urgent works.
Several of the province’s provincial roads have been transferred to the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) because the provincial government lacks the budget to restore them. The department said these roads were handed over without an accompanying budget, leaving SANRAL to source the finance required for reconstruction.
Sanral intervention and timelines
SANRAL told the delegation that construction work on the R36 could begin in 2028. Delegates expressed concern about that timeline given the road’s current hazardous state.
“We are concerned that 2028 is a bit far for the reconstruction of the R36,”
Mpumalanga provincial whip in the NCOP, Sylvia Nxumalo, welcomed SANRAL’s intervention but urged that the R36 project be accelerated, saying the road had “deteriorated severely and poses a serious hazard to motorists and tourists who use it daily.”
Interim safety measures and causes of damage
While preparations for reconstruction continue, mining companies have invested R70 million in interim works to improve safety along the R36, Parliament said. These measures are stopgap interventions designed to reduce immediate risk until full rehabilitation can occur.
The delegation was told that much of the damage to roads in the province results from heavy vehicles, particularly coal-haulage trucks. Officials suggested that pressure on the road network could be eased by shifting more heavy freight from road to rail.
- Estimated repair need: R38 billion for provincial roads.
- Key affected route: R36 in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality.
- Interim investment: R70 million by mining companies for safety works.
- Projected reconstruction start: 2028 (SANRAL).
- Primary cause of damage: Heavy vehicles including coal-haulage trucks.
Why the backlog matters for residents and tourism
Mpumalanga’s roads serve not only local communities and businesses but also tourists travelling to destinations in the province. Poor road conditions increase vehicle operating costs, risk of accidents and journey times, and can deter visitors. For local commuters and freight operators, deteriorating roads raise maintenance and safety concerns.
Delegates at the oversight visit stressed that a prolonged delay before full reconstruction would prolong disruption and safety risks. The assurance that transferred routes would not be tolled after upgrades was noted, but did not reduce urgency over the timing of works.
Practical context: what residents and road users should know
Until full reconstruction begins, road users can expect temporary safety measures and ongoing maintenance funded or facilitated by interim investors. Motorists should remain vigilant on the R36 and similar routes, adhere to reduced speed zones and signage, and report severe defects to the provincial department or SANRAL.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Backlog estimate | R38 billion |
| Route highlighted | R36, Thaba Chweu |
| Interim funding | R70 million by mining companies |
| Sanral start date (expected) | 2028 |
The province and national agencies face a complex funding challenge: the R38 billion estimate underscores the scale of rehabilitation required, while transfers of roads to SANRAL without dedicated budgets place the onus on the road agency to raise reconstruction funds. SANRAL’s involvement is likely to speed technical planning and bring national procurement capacity, but delegates argued that timelines must be accelerated to address safety risks.
As discussions continue between the provincial department, SANRAL and stakeholders including mining firms, residents and road users will be watching for firm start dates, traffic management plans and clear communication about detours and safety measures ahead of full reconstruction works.
Nomsa Mahlangu
Mpumalanga Correspondent (Mbombela)
