Blame game by the City of Cape Town against SANRAL reaches a new low
Cape Town, 20th September 2015. The latest statement by the City of Cape Town blaming SANRAL for using the Cape High Court Interdict as an excuse not to do repair work on the N1 and N2, is outrageous, shameful and certainly not in the interests of road users in the Western Cape.
Vusi Mona, General Manager: Communications of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) says what makes the statement of Clr Brett Herron even more scandalous is that all parties yesterday agreed to a plan to improve safety on the N2 in view of the increase in criminal activity.
“There is nothing cheap about this so-called publicity stunt unless one regards human life as cheap.” Mona stressed that the City of Cape Town’s court interdict against SANRAL prevents any works which fall under the scope of the N1 N2 Winelands Toll Project, from proceeding. “Why should road-users be held at ransom by the City of Cape Town?”
Mona pointed out that much- needed upgrades including the street lighting on the N2, which was to form part of the N1 N2 Winelands Toll Project, could therefore not proceed.
He points out that Clr Herron does not understand the difference between maintenance and new installations, upgrades and infrastructure: “The implications of the City’s actions are in fact extremely damaging and far-reaching. SANRAL’s plans to upgrade the N1 and N2 - which includes vital infrastructure such as street lighting, a centre median barrier and realignment of the N2 through Somerset West - have for all intents and purposes been halted by the City’s legal action.