Latest news with #SANRAL
The South African
02-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
SAA's wings in full flight - and profitable!
Following several challenging years, State-owned airline, South African Airways (SAA), is now in a position to contribute economic value. This is according to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, who presented the departmental Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday morning. SAA was racked by allegations of fraud and corruption during the State capture years. It was put under business rescue and grounded but has recovered to fly domestic, continental and international flights. 'With unencumbered assets and renewed profitability, SAA is well-positioned to drive economic value through expanded international services, job creation, and increased contributions to tourism and trade,' Creecy said. Furthermore, the airline is now contributing to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 'According to [an Oxford Economics Africa] study, SAA contributed R9.1 billion to South Africa's GDP in 2023/24, a figure projected to more than triple to R32.6 billion by 2029/2030. Over the same period, the airline's operations are expected to support 86 700 jobs, up from the current 25 000, demonstrating its growing role as a national employer and economic catalyst. 'The airline has concluded three out of four outstanding audits and reported a profit of R252 million for the 2022/23 financial year for the first time since 2012. Now operating independently and no longer reliant on government guarantees, SAA is self-funding its operations and fleet growth, while remaining open to a strategic equity partner as part of its long-term restructuring,' the Minister highlighted. Creecy revealed that the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has been allocated some R21.7 billion for infrastructure development. '[This is] in order to meet our target of moving 42 million passengers per year and increasing air freight handling through the ACSA network of airports. This will improve facilities for passenger safety and comfort over the medium-term and build a new freight terminal at OR Tambo International Airport. 'In addition, we are fast tracking projects to ensure reliable availability of jet fuel to all airlines at all our airports, as well as the general upkeep and upgrading of facilities and technologies at each of our airports to improve both security of passengers and cargo, as well as convenience of airport users,' she said. Creecy told Parliament that the state of roads in South Africa remains an important issue that the department is concerned about, with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) taking over some 3 099 kilometers of provincial roads over the past year. 'Over the period of the MTDP [Medium-Term Development Plan] and beyond, SANRAL has reprioritised within the existing maintenance and capital allocated funding so that these roads are serviced through the Route Road Maintenance Programme,' she said. Creecy also revealed that the driver's licence printing machine is now back in operation. 'The old card machine is currently fixed and we are hard at work to clear out the printing backlog of licence cards. To ensure we have a backup solution, we have signed a MOU with the Government Printing Works. We expect that within three months, this backup solution will be able to print driver's licence cards,' she said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
30-06-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Gauteng govt says it is making progress in paying of its e-toll debt
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng government is making progress in paying off its e-toll debt, with a further payment of R3.3 billion expected to be made to the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) on Monday. Finance MEC Lebogang Maile announced at a media briefing on Sunday that this marked the department's second payment. ALSO READ: Gauteng govt set to make second payment of e-toll debt on Monday When the e-toll system was abolished, National Treasury agreed to cover 70% of the debt, leaving the province responsible for the remaining 30%. The province has now paid off nearly half of its R15.9 billion e-toll debt. Maile emphasised that the province remained committed to settling the debt. "We wish to announce that tomorrow, the 30th of June 2025, the Gauteng Provincial Government will honour the province's obligation by paying the second instalment towards the e-tolls debt as disclosed in the 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). "The second amount due on the 30th of June 2025, based on the memorandum of agreement, is R3.377 billion in terms historical debt. This is the amount that we will be paying to the National Treasury tomorrow as a second instalment as part of our 30% contribution."
Eyewitness News
29-06-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Gauteng govt set to make second payment of e-toll debt on Monday
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng government is preparing to make its second payment towards settling its e-toll debt, with R3.3 billion scheduled for payment on Monday. The e-toll system was scrapped in 2024, after the National Treasury agreed to cover 70% of the debt, while the province took responsibility for the remaining 30%. The total debt owed by the Gauteng government amounted to R15.9 billion, including accrued interest. Finance MEC Lebogang Maile held a media briefing in Johannesburg on Sunday to provide an update on the repayment of the e-toll debt. In September 2024, the Gauteng government made its first payment of R3.8 billion towards settling its e-toll debt. READ: Gauteng govt makes first payment to settle e-toll debt With the province set to make a second payment of R3.3 billion on Monday, the total amount paid will rise to over R7.1 billion. Maile said this reflects the province's commitment to honouring its side of the deal. "In the budget speech in March of 2024, the Gauteng provincial government announced that as part of the province's arrangement to service the debt, a provision for honouring this commitment would be pencilled into the 2024 fiscal framework. Since making this announcement in the said budget speech, we have maintained the necessary fiscal discipline to ensure adherence to this commitment." The e-toll debt is to be repaid in five equal annual instalments. Besides the R3.3 billion payment to the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), the Gauteng government will also allocate an additional R2 billion for freeway upgrades.
TimesLIVE
29-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Gauteng to pay second instalment of R3.377bn towards historical e-toll debt
The Gauteng government will on Monday make a payment of R5.476bn towards the e-toll debt and the contribution towards the SANRAL Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, Gauteng finance MEC Lebogang Maile said. Maile said the government will be paying the second instalment towards the historical e-toll debt which, based on the memorandum of agreement, amounts to R3.377bn. 'This is the amount that we will be paying to the National Treasury tomorrow as a second instalment as part of our 30% contribution,' he said. The provincial government made the first instalment of R3.8bn in September 2024, consisting of R3.2bn historical debt and the maintenance portion of R546m. In addition to the e-toll payment, Maile said the provincial government will also transfer an amount of R2.099bn as part of the contribution towards the backlog of rehabilitation to restore the GFIP 1 freeways to an acceptable condition before SANRAL resumes its obligations for all future maintenance funded by the national fiscus. He said the amount outstanding for SANRAL's Gauteng freeway projects was R3.559bn. 'We must emphasise that in terms of the agreement, SANRAL cannot use these funds for any purpose other than the nine projects that are financed by the province. SANRAL is also required to report to the Gauteng provincial government on progress being made with the implementation of these projects. This will include providing credible information on developmental objectives such as how these projects contribute to economic growth in the province, the number of jobs being created through these projects and related social and economic benefits,' he said. Maile said the implications of the e-toll debt and contributions to SANRAL's Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project require the Gauteng government to manage finances prudently, while carefully balancing the service delivery needs of residents. He said the provincial Treasury has a five-year budget approach that will facilitate provincial delivery based on the Medium-Term Development Plan for the seventh administration. 'The five-year budget approach will focus on introducing and implementing immediate, short-term, and medium-term budget reforms over the 2025 MTEF. This includes maintaining fiscal discipline and credibility, and impactful service delivery. Over the next few years, the Gauteng provincial government will have to allocate a substantial amount of funds each year to service the repayment obligations for e-tolls. This will be happening in a constrained fiscal environment, details of which we expressed in the initial budget speech and reiterated when we re-tabled the budget for the 2025/2026 financial year,' Maile said. Maile noted that the funding envelope was stretched by existing allocations, particularly in keeping critical social programmes in health and education funded. 'Nevertheless, we reaffirm our commitment to the residents of Gauteng that the servicing of the e-toll debt will not compromise our priorities, particularly with social services such as health and education,' he said. Maile said the provincial government was implementing various measures and reforms to ensure the sustainability of the fiscal environment, including active debt management strategies, spending restraint, improving compliance with rules and regulations in supply chain management, as well as revenue enhancement.
The Citizen
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
#TrafficAlert: Parts of N2 and M13 to close for King Cetshwayo bridge demolition
#TrafficAlert: Parts of N2 and M13 to close for King Cetshwayo bridge demolition The N2 between Springfield Park (Umgeni Interchange) and Spaghetti Junction (EB Cloete Interchange) will close in both directions from Saturday night until Monday morning. A further closure will be in place on the M13 between 45th Cutting and Westwood Mall (Essex Terrace Interchange) to accommodate the partial demolition of the King Cetshwayo Bridge, which carries the M13 over the N2. Both closures will be in place simultaneously from 6pm on Saturday, June 21, until 4am on Monday, June 23. 'Construction continues on the upgraded King Cetshwayo Bridge, following its partial demolition in October 2023,' said SANRAL's Provincial Specialist Geometrics Engineer, Jason Lowe. 'This closure is part of the ongoing upgrade process for the N2 and the EB Cloete Interchange, aimed at relieving congestion and improving road safety along this critical national route.' Motorists are urged to plan for alternative routes during the closure. Full Closure Locations N2 Closure Locations (at EB Cloete Interchange): N3 West Bound (Durban to Pinetown): Ramp to N2 North closed (towards Umhlanga/King Shaka International Airport). N3 East Bound (Pinetown to Durban): Ramp to N2 North closed. N2 Northbound: Closed between EB Cloete Interchange and Umgeni Road Interchange. N2 Closure Locations (at Umgeni Road Interchange): N2 Southbound: Closed between Umgeni Road Interchange and EB Cloete Interchange. Detour onto M19/Umgeni Road. M19 East and West Bound: Ramps to N2 South closed. M13 Closure Locations (King Cetshwayo Bridge Area): M13 East Bound: Closed at Essex Terrace Interchange (near Westwood Mall). M13 West Bound: Closed at 45th Avenue (also known as 45th Cutting). 'We understand that these road closures cause major travel disruption so we have minimised the length of the closures and planned them to take place at times when the traffic disruption will be at its least,' said Lowe. 'Trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period, find suitable staging areas or reroute via the M4, M7 or M19 to avoid congestion. Public transport operators are asked to ensure their drivers are aware of route closures and alternatives affecting their commuter routes.' Find a full list of alternative routes here. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
