Sanral rejects ‘R9.5bn tender storm’ claims and denies Hawks raid

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has pushed back against media reports describing a so‑called “R9.5 billion tender storm”, saying the irregular expenditure cited relates to routine road maintenance contracts awarded between 2011/12 and 2018/19 and therefore predates the current CEO.

What Sanral says about the R9.5bn figure

Sanral acknowledged the existence of approximately R9.5 billion in irregular expenditure but said those amounts were linked to contracts from 2011/12 to 2018/19. The agency said these matters “predate Mr Demana’s tenure at Sanral” and noted that Reginald Demana assumed the role of CEO on 1 January 2023.

Sanral added that the issue had been fully disclosed in its annual reports and that, during the relevant period, the agency had received an unqualified audit opinion. The agency said there was no confirmed irregular expenditure linked to fraudulent or criminal intent and that “this matter was resolved and is now in the past.”

Origins of the current scrutiny and investigations

Sanral said the latest wave of scrutiny stemmed from a whistle‑blowing report that was received via the Minister of Transport’s office and referred to the agency’s new board when it took office on 1 March 2026. The allegations concern “unlawful procurement practices” in Sanral’s supply chain management division.

The agency confirmed that the board had already launched probes before media attention intensified and that both the agency’s internal audit division and an external law firm had been appointed to investigate. Sanral said the board “is committed to open and transparent procurement and will implement recommendations and outcomes that emerge from the investigations.”

DPCI contact, not a raid

Responding to online claims that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, had raided its premises, Sanral rejected that characterisation.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,”

Sanral described the interaction as a “routine inquiry” in which the DPCI requested information related to certain tenders. The agency said its cooperation with the DPCI “is not unusual and has historical precedent” and that “there was no raiding of Sanral premises by the DPCI and the same can be verified by the directorate [DPCI].”

Staff suspensions and court action

Sanral confirmed that three employees in its supply chain management division were suspended in April 2026 for gross misconduct. The agency specified that those suspensions were “unrelated to whistleblowing allegations.”

The suspended employees have approached the Johannesburg Labour Court seeking to set aside their suspensions and to return to work. Sanral is opposing that application; the matter is scheduled to be heard on 9 June 2026. Citing the sub‑judice principle, the agency said it could not provide further detail beyond what had been filed on record.

Reforms and accountability measures

Sanral said there are ongoing reforms in its procurement environment under the leadership of the “newly appointed board.” The agency said officials found to have “wilfully or negligently breached procurement prescripts through dishonesty or collusion” would face disciplinary action regardless of seniority.

The statement also noted that the organisation had been hit with a punitive costs order after “persistent delays, failing to comply with court rules, and disrespecting the court,” a development the agency described as part of recent legal and governance challenges.

Sanral’s stated aim

Sanral said it remains committed to “dealing with the procurement challenges that the organisation has experienced in order to return it to an effective and efficient enabler of economic and social development through its road infrastructure projects.”