Speed humps to be erected along McBotha Drive

The Roads and Storm Water Department has responded positively to the grievances of Vosloorus residents following their meeting with Ward 44 councillor Alfred Sibanyoni and community members in Vosloorus on April 16.

The community has requested that speed humps be erected along McBotha Drive to minimise accidents in the area.

The department committed to starting with the process of erecting speed humps on April 19.

They assured the community they should complete the work on April 24 and that six people from the community will be part of the labour team for the project.

When Kathorus MAIL visited the area on April 20, we found the process of erecting speed humps has begun. The road was blocked and traffic was redirected to alternative routes.

ALSO READ: Protests for speed humps continue in Vosloorus

Background

The department’s response follows after frustrated Vosloorus residents took to the streets to protest on April 14.

They blocked the McBotha Drive with rocks and burning tyres to prevent motorists from using the road, more so taxi drivers who have been accused of not using the stop sign in the area.

The protestors voiced their frustration of waiting while they lose community members, friends and family members on this road.

A resident who lives close by, Letlhage Moeketsane, said the issue of speed humps has been dragged on for far too long.

“We are concerned by how our councillor treats us. We addressed him about the issue of accidents that occur in this area. Many people died here, we lost a lot of people who are close to us,” said Moeketsane.

“We asked for a simple thing like a speed hump and the councillor failed to help us in that regard. His term is almost over and he has not installed those humps. His response was that he was not in that department but he would refer us to the relevant people.”

Moeketsane said this is surprising because when these accidents occur, stats are recorded. He questioned what the councillor has done to address this matter as it is evident that a lot of people are dying in the same area.

ALSO READ: Protests for speed humps continue in Vosloorus

“My one neighbour was knocked down by a car here. My other neighbour also experienced the same thing and her case was very critical,” said Moeketsane.

He added that another issue was that private flats at the sports facility behind Lesedi Complex were being built without consulting and informing the community.

The Ward 44 business forum, local football association and six local schools that use these sports grounds were not told.

Ward 44 councillor Alfred Sibanyoni said he is aware of the protests.

“Initially, there was a request that was made by the committee in 2016, 2018 and 2019 for speed humps, especially in McBotha,” said Sibanyoni.

He added his office wrote a petition and submitted it to the relevant department that didn’t respond the first time and they followed up in 2018.

“I must agree that as much as we are making these submissions, we got frustrated as there was no positive response. They told us about budget and allocation issues. We also sent a motivation via email to an official responsible,” he said.

He said their response was they did not have enough funds and their request was not a priority.

“I told them this is a priority because there are two people who died and people have been hit by cars several times because there is no traffic-calming measures. Then they said they will focus on it,” he continued.

“After following up, I was told there was no budget. Then you ask yourself which areas are they prioritising in terms of erecting traffic-calming measures.”

Sibanyoni said his office requested the Department of Roads and Storm Water to attend a meeting and agree on a solution.

ALSO READ: Protests for speed humps continue in Vosloorus

The Ward 44 councillor said during his engagement with the department, they agreed they will try to allocate a certain budget to build the speed humps.

He said the community cannot wait for the mid-year budget for something they have been demanding for the past four years.