SANRAL confirms lodging civil damages claims against construction firms

The South African National Roads Agency can today confirm it has lodged with the Gauteng Local Division High Court civil damages claims against the construction firms that were found guilty of collusive conduct by the Competition Authorities.

The total claims are between R600 million and R760 million. Seven construction firms and the joint ventures they formed have been served papers. The agency argues that it suffered damages and overcharges as a result of the companies' collusive conduct.

"This follows months of hard work in quantifying the damages we suffered. Some of our detractors doubted our intention to file for damages, accusing us of delays, with some going to the extent of suggesting the agency was colluding with the industry. But we had to be thorough in our assessment of the damages and were not going to be rushed into this action ill-prepared," the agency's spokesperson Vusi Mona said.

Mona clarified the claims are not confined to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, but include works that were carried out in other parts of the country.