Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa, accompanied by the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Mr Jabu Mbalula, conducted an oversight visit to the Free State Province on 16 and 17 July 2026. The visit was aimed at assessing the implementation and performance of road infrastructure projects funded through the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant (PRMG), as well as engaging with provincial stakeholders on strategic transport priorities.
The oversight programme commenced with a bilateral Stakeholder Engagement between the Deputy Minister and the Executive and Senior Management of the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport and other political leaders who were present.
The engagement, held at the OR Tambo Building in Bloemfontein, provided a platform to discuss key challenges and opportunities relating to the implementation of PRMG-funded projects, road maintenance backlogs, and the overall condition of the provincial road network.
During the stakeholder engagement, several presentations were delivered to the Deputy Minister and the delegation. The Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport presented a comprehensive overview of the provincial road network profile, the 2026/27 performance plan, and the physical and social indicators for rehabilitation and maintenance projects. The presentation also detailed the prioritised maintenance needs for both paved and unpaved roads and importantly the need to prioritise preventative maintenance, accelerate rehabilitation of strategic economic corridors, and explore additional funding mechanisms.
SANRAL also delivered a presentation on its Free State programme, outlining the road network under its jurisdiction, progress on transferred roads, and challenges relating to flooding of low-lying areas and slope failures. SANRAL further highlighted factors contributing to network challenges, including increased heavy vehicle traffic, above-normal rainfall, and the age of the network, with 81% of the network being older than 25 years.
During the site inspection component of the visit, the Deputy Minister proceeded to Botshabelo to assess the Tweespruit–Excelsior (R709) Special Maintenance Project, a 41-Kilometre strategic route linking the N8 and N1 corridors.. This project has contributed meaningfully to local economic development through job creation and the appointment of local SMMEs under a dedicated contractor development programme.
The Deputy Minister commended the progress made and reiterated the importance of such projects in supporting agricultural production, freight logistics, and regional economic integration.
The visit also included a pedestrian safety activation in Botshabelo, where the Deputy Minister engaged with community members and distributed reflective materials to vulnerable road users. This formed part of a broader road safety awareness campaign, with a particular focus on pedestrian safety and the protection of initiates during the winter initiation season. The DM further engaged with the law enforcement officials before he proceeded to the law enforcement operation on the same route.
In his engagements, Deputy Minister Hlengwa acknowledged the immense pressures facing the provincial road network, with a substantial portion of surfaced roads in poor condition and maintenance backlogs exceeding available funding. He called for strengthened collaboration between national, provincial, and local government structures to secure sustainable funding for priority road projects, improve road asset management, and ensure that the Free State’s transport network continues to support economic growth and the safe movement of people and goods.