ISSN NO: 1562 -5702 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021 R20.90 (incl. VAT) ISSUE NO. 127 N3 upgrade hailed Call to curb ‘lawless’ business forums EWS that work has resumed on a series of upgrades to the N3 highway – esti- Nmated to be worth a total of R18.4 bil- lion – has been widely welcomed by the KwaZulu-Natal business community. But it has also prompted warnings that intimidation from ‘business forums’ could raise costs and hamper progress on these vital projects, some of which are already scheduled to take up to a decade to complete. The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) recently announced the resumption of the upgrades, starting with the 16.4km por- tion of the N3 between the Dardanelles inter- change and the Lynnfield Park interchange between Cato Ridge and Pietermaritzburg. This follows the recent completion of the Hammarsdale interchange. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has welcomed the upgrade, which it believes will alleviate congestion on roads around the port and on the crucial N3 corridor linking the port of Durban to the hinterland, and South Africa’s economic powerhouse, Gauteng. Department spokesman Bheki Mbanjwa said Transnet had projected that the port was likely to exceed its maximum capacity of 5.5 mil- lion TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent container units) by 2035 and that the N3 improvements would help ensure “less discomfort” for non- commercial road users until sorely needed rail efficiencies were implemented. “The upgrade of the N3 will ensure ease of traffic movement and the continual mainte- nance will reduce fatalities on our roads. The long-term benefits to both the commuter and to the economy at large far outweigh any incon- venience,” he said. SANRAL Eastern Region Project Engineer Corné Roux said work now underway on the R1.48 billion Dardanelles to Lynnfield Park The N3 upgrades, combined with the recent completion of the Hammarsdale interchange will significantly enhance access to the area, rapidly stretch of the project would create an esti- developing into a major logistics hub. This encompasses the 152ha Keystone Park development which houses warehouses for the likes of Mr mated 700 employment opportunities. Price, Ackermans and Malda Pack. Work recently commenced there on a R1.3bn mega-warehouse for Pepkor The work is being carried out by Raubex and is one of two new projects SANRAL has Chief Executive Palesa Phili welcomed the tive for business confidence which directly cor- this recurs. awarded to the JSE-listed construction group upgrades, saying they promised to shorten relates with employment creation. The recently “Given the scale of the N3 upgrades it would worth a combined R2.87 billion – the sec- turnaround times for freight-carrying vehicles, completed Hammarsdale interchange has be devastating to all parties if similar lawless- ond being upgrades to the N2 between the reduce accidents and increase profitability. been excellent for the entire region. Anyone ness was to take root.” KwaMashu interchange and the Umdloti River She said the Durban and KZN economy relied driving along the N3 can see new platforms He said the association was engaging bridge, due to start in May 2021. on the logistics and transport sector, and the and structures going up and occupancy lev- SANRAL monthly so that local businesses are The N3 upgrade forms an integral part of upgrades would contribute to economic growth els in the area are reaching all-time highs,” aware of progress. the government’s Strategic Integrated Projects provided they were executed effectively. said Kotze, who also chairs the Infrastructure “In support of the HCRDA vision, to make SIP2: Durban-Free State-Gauteng Logistics Kelvin Kotze, Development Manager at the workstream of the Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Hammarsdale and Cato Ridge a better place and Industrial Corridor. SIP2 aims to strength- Hammarsdale Industrial Park also welcomed Development Association (HCRDA). to work and live, the HCRDA is working closely en the logistics and transport corridor between the “much needed” upgrades but cautioned “Work stoppages due to business forum with eThekwini Municipality, the South African South Africa’s main industrial hubs, improve that the construction process would be chal- intimidation however lengthened that project Police Services and other important stakehold- access to Durban’s export and import facilities lenging for its users given the project scale and considerably with unnecessary cost to the ers. Cooperation is essential if this region is to and raise efficiency along the corridor. time frames. contractor and users,” he said, adding that law achieve its full potential,” Kotze said. Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry “New and functional infrastructure is impera- enforcement must act swiftly and decisively if Enquiry no: 1 Instrumentation, Consulting Measurement & Control Engineers & Project - page 6 Management - page 11 Pulp heavyweight Pumps, Valves, Engineering & green lights KZN Pipes & Fittings - Allied Supplies - biorefinery pilot page 8 page 10 INSIDE plant - page 3 Company & Product News - page 12 Like us on Facebook February /March 2021 2 news www.facebook.com/kznindustrialnews KZN Industrial & Business News Stop AARTO now to R217bn budget boost for prevent ‘grand scale’ looting, says road freight economic growth programmes body HE Road Freight Association (RFA) has total of R217 billion will be spent over the Competition for business incentives including Tcalled for an immediate halt to implementa- next three-years on ambitious economic manufacturing, special economic zones, the tion of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Adevelopment programmes aimed at pro- clothing and textile sector and services sector Traffic Offences Act (AARTO), citing fears of moting faster and sustained inclusive economic development. “grand scale” theft and corruption. growth, according to National Treasury in its These incentives will support the national This follows the recent suspension of the recently revealed Budget Review document. industrial strategy. Road Traffic Infringement Agency’s (RITA’s) Over the medium term, R14.6 billion is allocat- The Department of Environment, Forestry Chief Executive Officer, Japh Chuwe, amidst ed to finalise outstanding land restitution claims and Fisheries has been allocated R1.2 billion allegations of “serious maladministration” by and support land reform initiatives, including for over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework the Auditor-General. subsistence and smallholder farmers. (MTEF) period to support climate resilience AARTO is scheduled to be implemented in An additional R1.2 billion in the blended initiatives, including a legislative framework, July this year. finance programme is earmarked for emerging intergovernmental coordination, and job resil- “Whilst we welcome the uncovering of cor- commercial farmers. Smallholder farmers have been identified as ience plans. ruption, it would be irresponsible and reckless According to the document, an allocation one of the programmes to drive the economy Expenditure in the function will rise from for government to proceed with the implemen- of R81.6 billion over the medium term will R191.9 billion in 2020/21 to R217.2 billion in tation of AARTO,” said RFA Chief Executive support the expansion of public employment ing the local production of ventilators, nano 2023/24. This was despite the baseline for this Gavin Kelly, adding that the association had programmes while a further R1 billion is set satellites, hydrogen fuel cell technologies, and functional group being reduced by R11 billion over the years expressed concern and uneasi- aside to enhance accountability for waste man- renewable energy research development and over the medium term. ness about AARTO and its susceptibility to agement. pilots. “This mainly affects compensation of employ- fraud, corruption, and money laundering. “This funding will support the development The pilots include the KwaZulu-Natal ees, transfers and subsidies, and selected “The RTIA’s latest announcement is con- of a new tyre waste industry plan, the review Research Innovation and Sequencing goods and services including in the Expanded firmation of our worst fears. Once AARTO is of producer responsibility regulations and the Platforms. Public Works Programme. The reductions implemented, the RTIA will be handling billions development of a Waste Economy Master Treasury said the Small Enterprise Finance affected allocations to entities and incentive of rands. How can we now trust the entity – Plan,” Treasury said. Agency has been allocated R885.3 million over programmes such as the Comprehensive especially when the dishonesty and corruption A R540 million Tourism Equity Fund has the same period for a blended finance model Agriculture Support Programme, manufac- is allegedly at the highest level in the agency? also been established to support black-owned to support small and medium enterprises, and turing development, the Clothing and Textile “We already face huge corruption, extorsion and commercially viable enterprises to acquire allocated R2.9 billion under the Township and Competitiveness Programme, global business and intimidation at the hands of traffic police shares in tourism enterprises. Rural Entrepreneurship Fund to support small processing, film and television, tourism and on a daily basis and this latest development Over the medium term, R5.3 billion has been businesses in rural areas and townships. small business support,” Treasury said. has highlighted