South Africa's National Roads Require R307 Billion in Repairs

South Africa requires R307 billion ($17.2 billion) to repair and enhance its national road system, as highlighted by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) is facing significant challenges, with 1,437 projects needing design and construction work, compounded by contractor failures and organized crime extortion. This situation reflects the financial strains on other state-owned entities, such as Eskom, which needs R390 billion for upgrading its electricity grid, and Transnet, which requires billions for train repairs. Provincial road projects are also under pressure, averaging R17 billion annually through 2027, alongside numerous delayed and abandoned initiatives. Creecy has called for improved support for the transport department, advocating for leadership reforms within the police to strengthen governance and project oversight.