The constant setbacks with repairs to the R40 road between Hazyview and White River, which was damaged during the February 2023 floods, are forcing motorists to once again use a dangerous detour riddled with potholes.
The road repair project, which began in June 2024, is still not complete and the road was further damaged in January 2026 when heavy rain caused landslides and damage to stormwater pipes.
The Freedom Front Plus’s (VF Plus) Member of Parliament in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Tammy Breedt, has already enquired about the repairs to the R40 from the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy.
In her response, the Minister confirmed that SANRAL will carry out the additional repair work at an estimated extra cost of R1 million.
This drives up the project’s total cost to R34 687 661 (VAT excluded). Of this amount, R19 609 966 (VAT excluded) has already been paid, with a retention amount of R1 684 883.
The Freedom Front Plus is particularly concerned about the timeline for the repair work. The additional repairs will take approximately six months, while the entire project is expected to be completed only by 12 December 2026. This means months of serious disruption for thousands of road users, severely impacting safety and traffic flow between Hazyview and White River.
The contractor, White Hazy Building Construction, remains responsible for the remainder of the work, despite delays caused by protest actions, site problems and penalties since June 2025.
The Freedom Front Plus demands clarity on why the road remains so vulnerable, and whether the tender process for the contractor’s appointment was transparent and competitive. Follow-up questions will be directed to Minister Creecy regarding the tender process, the remaining work and the lack of progress even though large amounts have already been paid.
The Freedom Front Plus proposes that an independent auditor or engineer immediately investigate the project to determine the causes of the repeated setbacks, including possible poor workmanship or design flaws.
The weather is not a good enough excuse. Taxpayers’ money may not be wasted.
