THE South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) released a statement on Thursday, May 26, saying that the section of the N2 northbound carriageway between Umzinto and Umgababa is still to undergo engineering protocol before it is open to traffic.

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The road was damaged by heavy rains in April and a contractor was appointed to construct a temporary lane to open the road to traffic while the sinkhole that had formed is repaired.

The new lane was opened to traffic for a brief period on Thursday morning but it was closed again, with reports on WhatsApp groups alleging that it had been closed again so that the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, can formally open it on Friday, May 27.

Sanral and Mbalula have distanced themselves from the fake news reports, with Mbalula saying he is not due to visit KwaZulu-Natal any time soon.

“This circulating WhatsApp message is false,” said Mbalula in a statement.

Sanral’s manager for the Eastern region, Dumisani Nkabinde, said the entity has not made any announcements regarding the road.

“The information that the Minister of Transport will be conducting an opening of the N2 in Umgababa was not generated by Sanral. The road was never opened officially, because Sanral did not give clearance. Therefore, the allegations that the Minister of Transport is coming were not formally communicated by Sanral,” said Dumisani Nkabinde.

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