Speaker, the ACDP welcomes the government's stated intention to spend large sums on roads, which is the single largest sectoral target of the infrastructure roll-out plan of R372 billion over the next three years.
The state of our roads and the delays with regard to maintenance and repairs have been a major source of concern. I use the roads widely during constituency time. I have already raised the issue of deplorable conditions of certain roads with the Minister. It is disgraceful that the daily road accident toll averages 38 deaths, 21 disabling injuries and 125 serious injuries.
We agree with the hon Cronin that it's, I quote, "a war zone out there" and that these figures are worse than those of Iraq. We urgently need to reduce the number of serious collisions on our roads, which in turn will reduce the number of claims the Road Accident Fund deals with and will assist with the precarious finances of this fund. This, we trust, will be achieved through increased allocations to road repairs and maintenance.
Whilst there has been a measure of criticism that this fund is still insufficient, given enormous backlogs and general delays in repairs and maintenance, the ACDP is satisfied that the urgency of the matter is being recognised. We will therefore support this Budget Vote. I thank you.