A community development expert of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) visited the site of the major safety upgrading construction at the Verwoerd Tunnels on the N1 north this week to investigate persistent rumours about the discovery of human remains and archaeological artefacts at the excavation works.

Rumours had it that worksmen at the site refused to continue with their work after the supposed discovery and that tribal representatives had also expressed concern.

A senior representative of SANRAL earlier said that no report of any such recent find has been received from the contractor on the site.

The SANRAL project engineer, Mr Ettienne Terblanche, denied any knowledge of the rumoured discovery. He confirmed, though, that the presence of clay pots at the southern entrance to the tunnels had already been brought to the attention of tribal stakeholders during March this year, before major excavations started at the tunnels. After consultation with the stakeholders, they were allowed to perform the appropriate traditional rituals, before the work started.

SANRAL’s administrative manager for the Northern Region, Mr Jan Naberman, confirmed upon enquiry that the rumours are being investigated. He confirmed on Wednesday that a community development expert of SANRAL was conducting an investigation on site and said that a statement would be issued as soon as the results of the investigation were received.