Inside Sanral's board, which makes controversial rules and lacks engineering know-how

The story: SA National Roads Agency, which has instituted procurement procedures not normally used in the public or private sector, is thin on engineering expertise on its board, with the executive team provisionally headed up by an auditor. 

The details: Professional bodies for both consulting and contracting civil engineers have questioned the new procurement rules, warning they will cause delays, increase costs and increase the risk that projects will go awry. The rules relate to the role of consulting engineers to design and technically evaluate tenders, which the board has decided can no longer be done by one entity. 

A closer look: Since the resignation of Skumbuzo Macozoma last October, Sanral has been headed by Lehlohlonolo Memeza, a certified auditor with a BCom degree, who was previously the head of internal audit.