R38 billion to fix broken and collapsing roads in just one province in South Africa

Mpumalanga requires approximately R38 billion for the rehabilitation and maintenance of its damaged roads across the province.

A delegation representing Mpumalanga’s Department of Public Works, Roads, and Transport approached the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, stating that the province was facing a high rehabilitation need estimated at R38 billion.

Provincial government officials made an oversight visit to the R36 in the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. They noted that some provincial roads have been handed over to the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) because Mpumalanga doesn’t have the budget to fix them.

SANRAL reported that these roads were transferred with no budget and that it will have to raise funds for the reconstruction of the damaged R36 and other roads.

However, while the roads have been transferred to SANRAL, it was with the important condition that they will not be tolled after the upgrades are complete.

SANRAL told the NCOP that construction on the R36 could begin in 2028. However, the delegates said this was too late, as the state of the road was already a hazard.

Many roads in Mpumalanga have been damaged by heavy-load vehicles, particularly coal-haulage trucks, and other loads that should be transported by rail. Some roads see over 1,000 trucks per day.

NCOP was told that the pressure on the road network is expected to ease once the road-to-rail migration happens.

Mpumalanga Provincial Whip in the NCOP, Ms Syvia Nxumalo, said SANRAL’s intervention was a positive move, but that the current timeline is too slow.

“We wish if SANRAL could speed up their processes because there is no road left there. What we saw there is serious hazard to our motorists and tourists who use that road daily,” she said.

The R37 was also highlighted as an area of concern, though it only needs maintenance while the R36 needs to be completely rebuilt.

Road maintenance includes routine activities such as cleaning drains and culverts, vegetation control, line marking, guardrail repair, road sign repair, crack sealing, edge repair, shoulder blading, and shoulder spot re-gravelling.

The head of the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, Mr Mikateko Rikhotso, informed delegates that both roads were transferred by the department to SANRAL in November 2024, and the Phase 3, being the part which the department was already constructing, got transferred in April 2025.

SANRAL is preparing for the appointment of contractors through an open tender process, which is expected to be concluded by 30 November 2026.

Mpumalanga SANRAL road repairs