Sanral Seeks Court Extension for Road Maintenance Contracts
The national roads agency asks the High Court in Pretoria to keep 31 maintenance contractors in place while replacement procurement is completed.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Car Maintenance
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The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has approached the High Court in Pretoria to extend contracts with 31 road maintenance companies, which lapse on 30 November 2026. Sanral's acting CEO, Lehlohonolo Memeza, supports the application in a sworn affidavit.
Why it matters
A 20 July 2026 court order required Sanral to stop the existing contracts on 30 November 2026 unless it sought an extension, and the replacement process could not be completed in time. Without an extension, routine maintenance and emergency services on parts of the national road network would be interrupted across South Africa.
Sanral has approved five bulk extensions since September 2024, and the current request seeks a six-month extension to 30 November 2026 for 31 companies. The proposed national panel would consist of 20 pre-qualified contractors, a figure the court order has now effectively set aside.
The players
Sanral (South African National Roads Agency)
Sanral is the state-owned agency responsible for managing and maintaining South Africa's national road network.
Lehlohonolo Memeza
Memeza is Sanral's acting chief executive officer, who supports the application through a sworn affidavit filed with the High Court.
The details
Sanral asks that existing contractors remain in place from 1 December 2026 until 31 March 2027, or until replacement contractors take over. Maintenance contractors fix potholes, patrol routes, clear accidents, respond to emergencies and maintain drainage, functions that become especially pressing in December and January during the rainy season and peak travel period.
Timeline
2024: Sanral overhauled its road maintenance procurement model, moving to a single national panel.
29 November 2024: The panel tender was advertised.
24 September 2025: BCB Solutions instituted review proceedings against the tender.
20 July 2026: A court order required Sanral to stop the existing contracts on 30 November 2026 unless it sought an extension.
30 November 2026: Current road maintenance contracts lapse.
Roadmap
Sanral's 2024 overhaul replaced three-year maintenance contracts with a single national panel of 20 pre-qualified contractors, a shift meant to streamline procurement. Legal challenges from BCB Solutions and Botle Ba Afrika Roads stalled that model, and the 20 July 2026 court order has now pushed the agency back to fresh open tenders.
Drivers on South Africa's national roads could see slower pothole repairs, reduced route patrols and delayed accident clean-ups if the contracts lapse. Motorists travelling during the December and January peak period should expect that road conditions may deteriorate in the rainy season.
The takeaway
Road maintenance continuity depends on procurement timing, so disruptions in contracts can affect road safety for every driver. Motorists should check road conditions before long journeys during the rainy season.
Further reading
Explore more on Car Maintenance to understand how road upkeep affects vehicle wear and driving conditions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Citizen.
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