Sanral supports government's stance against xenophobia

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) wholeheartedly supports the South African government's stance against xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The attacks, some of which have resulted in deaths, injuries and rampage damage to property, offend not only the human dignity of the foreign nationals, but also that of the vast majority of South Africans.

"Sanral has noted the attacks with grave concern and we vehemently condemn these dastardly acts. These attacks on foreign nationals not only devalue our democratic order as a country, but they also reverse the gains that South Africa has made in ensuring peaceful co-existence in our communities," says Sanral CEO Nazir Alli.

In support of government's broad campaign to stop xenophobic attacks, and also as an entity of the Department of Transport, Sanral fully supports the stance taken by Transport Minister Dipuo Peters in partnership with the taxi industry to oppose the xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals. The agency is posting anti-xenophobia messages on its electronic signboards on the national highways.

As part of its mandate of managing and maintaining the national road network, Sanral facilitates the free movement of goods and people between South Africa and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries, consequently promoting economic development, tourism, and ensuring road safety on our national roads.

Through partnership with regional bodies such as the Association of Southern Africa National Roads Agencies (Asanra), Sanral continues to support the development of an integrated transport system which meets national and regional goals and objectives through the application of best practices in the development and maintenance of the regional road network.

"Also, in partnership with our sister transport agencies such as the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency, we continue to cooperate with our counterparts in fellow SADC member states to share knowledge as well delivering excellent roads. We promote cooperation in the SADC region and identify ourselves with the rest of the continent. As an agency of government we join the 'no to xenophobia campaign' and strongly condemn the attacks on fellow Africans who are in our country," says Alli.