MINISTER of Transport Sbu Ndebele has praised the work done to improve South Africa's roads network.

"It's excellent development. Our roads have become too good that some people think they are made for speeding," Ndebele said yesterday.

He was speaking during a tour of Johannesburg freeways and the Aviation Training Academy in Kempton Park.

"Sceptics must come and see our infrastructure. Our roads compare with the best in the world," he said.

Ndebele said with such infrastructure, the economy and democracy, South Africa should no longer be called a developing country but a developed one.

He said improved roads had made the distance between different places and provinces shorter.

South African National Roads Agency chief executive Nazir Alli said: "We are happy with the progress. There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel."

Alli criticised motorists who hurled insults and threw objects at construction workers.

"We must get motorists to behave responsibly. People know there is construction going on and must leave home at least 10 minutes earlier," he said.