Apply for SANRAL Statutory Control Officer roles 2025/2026 across South Africa. Learn duties, requirements & application in this guide.
Introduction: Why This Career Path Matters
South Africa’s road network is one of the country’s most critical assets. Roads connect people, enable trade, and support economic development. Behind the smooth highways and the safe travel routes lies a dedicated team of professionals ensuring compliance, development management, and statutory oversight.
Among them are Statutory Control Officers — skilled professionals working with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). In September 2025, SANRAL announced 14 permanent positions for Statutory Control Officers across several provinces.
If you are passionate about infrastructure, planning, compliance, and stakeholder management, this role offers a stable and impactful career path.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- What the role of a Statutory Control Officer involves
- The provinces where opportunities are available
- Minimum qualifications and experience required
- Day-to-day responsibilities in simple terms
- Career growth opportunities within SANRAL
- Tips to make your application stand out
- Step-by-step application guide
By the end, you’ll know whether this role aligns with your career aspirations and how to confidently apply.
About SANRAL: Building the Nation’s Roads
Before diving into the role itself, let’s briefly understand SANRAL.
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) is responsible for the management, maintenance, and expansion of the national road network. This includes:
- Building and maintaining highways and freeways
- Ensuring compliance with legislation (SANRAL Act & related laws)
- Overseeing land acquisition and development affecting national roads
- Managing encroachments, advertising, and direct access to roads
- Protecting the integrity of national road infrastructure
SANRAL’s work impacts millions of South Africans daily. Every new road, every upgrade, and every traffic flow improvement has a team of professionals ensuring that it complies with regulations and serves the public efficiently.
This is where Statutory Control Officers come in — acting as guardians of compliance and development within the road reserve.
The Role: What Does a Statutory Control Officer Do?
At its core, the role is about protecting national road infrastructure while balancing the needs of developers, municipalities, and the public.
Think of yourself as a compliance officer, planner, and negotiator all in one. Your job is to ensure that any developments or activities that affect national roads are lawful, safe, and aligned with SANRAL’s policies.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Reviewing Traffic Impact Assessments when new developments (malls, housing estates, or industrial zones) are planned near national routes
- Managing statutory control applications like service crossings (water, electricity, gas, or telecom lines across/along national roads)
- Working with municipalities on spatial planning documents (e.g., SDF, LAP, IDP) to ensure SANRAL’s interests are protected
- Addressing illegal advertisements or trading near highways
- Assisting project managers with land ownership, survey, and road reserve matters
- Liaising with developers to negotiate alternative solutions that comply with legislation
- Providing expert advice on how land developments affect national roads
It’s a role that combines technical expertise, legal knowledge, and people skills.
Job Locations: Where Posts Are Available
The 14 positions are spread across South Africa, giving applicants opportunities in multiple regions.
- Limpopo: Polokwane (2 posts)
- North West: Mafikeng (2 posts)
- Free State: Bloemfontein (2 posts)
- Mpumalanga: Mbombela (2 posts)
- KwaZulu-Natal: Pietermaritzburg (2 posts)
- Northern Cape: Kimberley (2 posts)
- Western Cape: Bellville (2 posts)
This means that no matter where you are in the country, there is likely a SANRAL office near you with a vacancy.
Minimum Qualifications and Experience Required
To qualify, you’ll need a strong technical foundation combined with relevant experience.
Core requirements:
- NQF6 National Diploma in Civil Engineering, Town & Regional Planning, Surveying, or equivalent qualification
- At least 5 years of relevant work experience
- Experience with Traffic Impact Assessments and Development Planning
- Exposure to statutory control, land management, or access management environments
Advantageous (not mandatory, but preferred):
- A Degree or BTech in Transportation, Town & Regional Planning, or Surveying
- Registration with a professional body (e.g., SACPLAN, ECSA, or SAGC)
- Knowledge of GIS systems
Skills You’ll Need to Excel
SANRAL looks for more than just technical expertise. The ideal candidate will also bring:
- Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings
- Strong knowledge of traffic impact assessments and SPLUMA processes
- Problem-solving and conflict management skills
- Capacity to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Good planning and time management abilities
- High computer literacy
In short: a blend of technical know-how, people skills, and organizational abilities.
Key Responsibilities Explained Simply
Here’s a breakdown of your day-to-day responsibilities as a Statutory Control Officer:
1. Traffic & Transportation Expertise
- Review applications that impact roads (e.g., new developments)
- Assess how projects affect traffic flow and safety
- Negotiate with developers to find safe, compliant solutions
2. Statutory Control Administration
- Approve or reject applications for service crossings (like pipelines and cables)
- Handle advertising applications and remove illegal roadside billboards
- Manage land subdivision and encroachment issues
- Ensure compliance with the SANRAL Act (Act 7 of 1998)
3. Land Management
- Research land ownership and road reserve declarations
- Attend to public queries about SANRAL land
- Assist with land acquisition for projects
4. Liaison & Risk Management
- Engage with municipalities, developers, and communities
- Identify risks related to statutory control and land issues
- Ensure SANRAL policies are followed during negotiations
5. Communication & Collaboration
- Work closely with colleagues across different SANRAL regions
- Build relationships with external stakeholders
- Represent SANRAL in cluster or stakeholder meetings
Working Conditions
- Mostly office-based, with site visits when needed
- Ad hoc travel across the province or region
- Must hold a valid driver’s license
- Work often involves tight deadlines and regulatory pressure
Why Consider This Career Path?
There are several reasons why becoming a Statutory Control Officer is a smart career move:
- Job Stability: Permanent role with a respected state-owned company.
- Impactful Work: You’ll directly contribute to South Africa’s infrastructure and economic growth.
- Professional Growth: Exposure to multidisciplinary fields — civil engineering, planning, and land management.
- Nationwide Opportunities: With positions in multiple provinces, you can choose a location that suits your lifestyle.
- Equity and Diversity: SANRAL actively promotes employment equity and encourages candidates with disabilities to apply.
Career Growth Opportunities
Once you’ve gained experience as a Statutory Control Officer, you could advance into roles such as:
- Senior Statutory Control Manager
- Operations & Maintenance Manager
- Project Manager (Roads & Infrastructure)
- Regional Planning Manager
Further studies in transportation planning, project management, or GIS systems could open even more doors.
How to Apply for the SANRAL Statutory Control Officer Posts
Applying is straightforward, but attention to detail is key.
Step 1: Visit SANRAL Careers Portal
Go to the official SANRAL website: www.nra.co.za.
Step 2: Find the Job Listing
Search for “Statutory Control Officer X14” under vacancies.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Make sure you have:
- Updated CV
- Certified copies of qualifications
- Proof of professional registration (if applicable)
- Copy of your ID and driver’s license
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
The closing date is 30 September 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Step 5: Wait for Response
If you don’t hear back within a month after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.
Tips to Make Your Application Stand Out
- Tailor your CV: Highlight relevant statutory, traffic, and planning experience.
- Showcase GIS knowledge: Even if informal, mention training or projects.
- Provide examples: Share instances where you solved compliance or planning challenges.
- Highlight stakeholder management: Demonstrate how you’ve worked with developers or municipalities.
- Emphasize deadlines: Show you can work under pressure without sacrificing quality.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a Statutory Control Officer at SANRAL is more than just a job — it’s a chance to shape South Africa’s infrastructure future. You’ll work at the intersection of engineering, law, planning, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring the safety and integrity of the nation’s roads.
With 14 positions available across multiple provinces, this is a unique opportunity for qualified professionals to secure a permanent, impactful career.
If you meet the requirements and are ready for a challenging yet rewarding role, make sure to apply before 30 September 2025.