The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has launched a series of public engagement sessions nationwide to discuss proposed amendments to its policy on rest and service facilities along national roads.

The sessions, which began last week in Pretoria, form part of the required process before the updated policy can be finalised. The existing policy was adopted in October 2021. Sanral now proposes changes intended to improve safety, accessibility, economic opportunity and transformation.

Rest and service facilities are stops where motorists can rest, refuel, eat or use other roadside services safely during long journeys.

The 2026 policy aims to make these stops safer, more accessible and more useful for drivers and local communities.

Road safety is a primary goal: well–planned rest areas help reduce driver fatigue, a major cause of accidents.

The policy also emphasises economic opportunity, with the intention that rest stops serve as hubs for small businesses, tourism and trade, giving local and previously disadvantaged people a chance to participate. Sustainability and inclusivity are additional priorities, ensuring facilities are environmentally friendly and accessible to all.

Under the proposed framework, Sanral may lease or develop land alongside national roads, sometimes in partnership with private operators, to generate revenue. Communities, businesses and road users now have an opportunity to comment and give feedback before the policy is finalised.

According to Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, Sarnal’s general manager for Business Development, the amendments to the Rest and Service Facilities (RSF) policy are being presented for public comment in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000. The act requires state institutions to consult stakeholders when decisions that may affect the public are being considered. Stakeholders at the meetings were reminded that, as a state-owned company, Sanral is obliged to consult targeted groups when changes to policies affecting the national road network are proposed.

The RSF policy regulates the development and management of facilities such as fuel stations, restaurants, rest areas and other roadside services located along national routes.

At the Pretoria session, Sanral representatives also outlined the agency’s broader business strategy linked to its Horizon Strategy 2030, which seeks to strengthen the sustainability of the national roads network.

Vilakazi told stakeholders that the agency is exploring ways to generate additional income by making better use of its land and other assets along the network.

“In line with our mandate to finance, manage, control, plan, develop, maintain and rehabilitate South Africa’s proclaimed national road network, Sanral’s Business Development seeks to monetise its immovable assets in line with our Horizon 2030 Strategy,” he said.

This could include leasing land, developing commercial sites and making use of high-value properties owned by the agency.

“To grow the portfolio, leasing, development and alienation of commercial properties and high-value land parcels will be key. This will generate long-term sustainable income, while complying with policy on property management, the Amended Property Sector Code, the Sanral Act and other applicable legislation and prescripts,” Vilakazi added.

He emphasised that any developments would follow procurement laws and transformation requirements. “The agency will ensure a process that is transparent, fair, equitable and competitive.”

The proposed RSF policy changes are also linked to Sanral’s intention to promote greater participation by historically disadvantaged groups in roadside developments. Vilakazi said partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders would be important in achieving this balance between commercial goals, transformation objectives and existing contractual obligations.

Traffic engineer Siveshni Pillay said the proposed 2026 policy seeks to update several aspects of the existing framework governing rest and service facilities.

“In tandem with that, our goal is to ensure that previously disadvantaged individuals participate and are empowered in all aspects of this policy,” she said. Pillay added that the revised policy aims to support economic development while improving the experience of road users. “We must promote rest and service facilities as hubs for regional and local economic activity, supporting tourism, trade and job creation.”

The proposed amendments address accessibility, environmental sustainability and economic inclusion. “The updated framework will help guide future developments along national roads while ensuring that facilities remain safe and accessible to motorists,” Pillay emphasised.

Additional engagement sessions are scheduled at various locations during the week as Sanral continues to gather feedback from stakeholders nationwide.

All comments on the proposed amendments to the Sanral Policy for Rest and Service Facilities for national roads must be sent by email to rsfpolicy@nra.co.za. Written comments must be received within 30 days of the Government Gazette notice published on February 23.

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