SANRAL responds to misinformation by Kwa-Mhlanga community members on Moloto Road

The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has noted, with grave concern, calls from some sections of the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality that it mobilised community members to attend its meetings as an incentive to access employment opportunities on the Moloto Road project.

SANRAL came to Kwa-Mhlanga two weeks ago to convene an information session for small businesses. This exercise was part of ongoing engagements with communities that live along Moloto Road.

"SANRAL will never use third parties outside of the municipality to procure services or employ individuals on its projects. We have a standing agreement with municipalities that we communicate information to communities via the municipal structures. We also always host our meetings with the communities in the presence of municipal representatives applicable, and where necessary, provincial representatives are also present," says Ismail Essa, SANRAL's Northern Region Manager.

Essa adds the information sessions that SANRAL held in Kwa-Mhlanga, which form part of the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, were a collective effort by the roads agency, the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, the municipality and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to inform communities about requirements they need when they bid for SANRAL tenders.

Employment of labour on the Moloto Road project will also be done via municipal and traditional leadership structures. The recruitment of labour will only commence when the various contractors are appointed and have established their site offices.

The sessions were therefore meant to empower small and emerging contractors in the area that are keen on tendering for work on Moloto Road.

SANRAL views the misleading of information as unfortunate, because it derails the already good relationship it has established with the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.

"SANRAL still encourages the community to take advantage of opportunities that the Moloto Road renewal project will offer. These opportunities are meant to improve the lives of those who live along Moloto, and we urge community members to participate," says Essa.

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