With traffic volumes surging as tourists pass through the Lowveld, Sanral has prioritised road users’ safety this festive season.
According to Madoda Mthembu, national operations and maintenance manager for Sanral, maintenance contractors have been appointed to daily monitor the condition of roads, ensuring no potholes or other objects endanger the safety road users. “We also have route patrol service contractors to ensure the roads are safe,” he said.

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“We’ve put up signs with their contact details so they can be easily notified and quickly attend to issues that may arise.”
The highest traffic volumes are expected on the N2, N4, N17, R23 and R40, routes also identified by the Provincial Department of Health as being hotspots for medical emergencies.

The Emergency Medical Services unit has deployed resources along these roads to ensure rapid response in case of emergencies.
Mthembu said the maintenance of road infrastructure, particularly the prevention of potholes, is one of the greatest challenges Sanral faces as a result of ageing and the conditions of certain roads.

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However, he emphasised that Sanral is committed to repairing all potholes and has launched the Vala Zonke Campaign, calling on road users to assist by reporting potholes via the Vala Zonke app so they could be repaired timeously.
The newly developed Karino Interchange is expected to ease traffic congestion along the N4 route from Mbombela to Nkomazi while allowing residents from the bustling township of KaNyamazane and surrounding areas to safely and conveniently access the busy N4.