An estimated R56-billion is needed to repair and maintain South Africa's network of ageing provincial roads, says acting Transport Minister Jeff Radebe.

Opening debate on the transport department's budget in the National Assembly yesterday, he said a further R8-billion is needed for the country's national road system.

Radebe said Cabinet had approved a five-year road infrastructure strategy to prevent further deterioration of the network.

The National Roads Agency (NRA), which manages South Africa's national roads, was involved in various efforts to improve the primary road network.

"Although the issue of tolling has become a contentious public debate in our country, it is very important to note that the existing concession roads have embedded within them a combined private sector investment value of R5,2-billion, of which R1,37-billion is in the form of direct foreign investment".

About 1350 kilometers of national roads were being upgraded and maintained without making any demands on tax-based revenue, Radebe said.

Turning to road safety, he said about 10,000 fraudulent drivers' licences were cancelled last year as a result of joint investigations with the police.

Thirty driving licence testing centres had also been upgraded to meet the minimum statutory requirements, at a cost of R17,1-million.

"We have recently introduced new legislation to regulate the transportation of dangerous goods".

To date, 4 000 traffic officers had been trained to carry out dangerous goods law enforcement, while, at the same time, the department was setting up a dangerous goods inspectorate.

All ten traffic-training colleges had also been evaluated to ensure compliance with the Road Traffic Act, and the basic salary scales of traffic officers were being improved, Radebe said. – Sapa.