Potholes in Tzaneen marked as belonging to the ANC

This is the opinion of the majority of residents after the Herald showed them photos of potholes with graffiti indicating that the ANC is responsible for the state of the road surface in Park Street and Messer Street after the Herald’s journalist came across it recently. One resident who wanted to remain anonymous, said that the graffiti probably is to make others aware of the state of the road infrastructure and that the cause is a failing ANC government.

Another resident, Basani Nkwinika said that the ANC has done great things in the past but in recent years has digressed to oppressing people due to their lack of service delivery. “It is clear our government is failing to deliver quality services and that they only care about themselves. If we think a change of the ruling party will ease the burden, then so be it. As much as we want to shy away from it, the truth is the ANC government is failing us. That is the reason for the message presented in the photo. At the end of the day, it is up to us to be the change we want to see.

Also read: Rainfall leaves behind more potholes in Tzaneen and Nkowankowa

“It’s important to take a stand and vote for the people we think will do better,” she said. Another resident, Twanano Mhlanga, said that people are tired of the damage done by the ANC. “People have always looked away from the way the ANC operates, but now they are tired of it. It is not only Messer Street, but other parts of Tzaneen also have big potholes. They damage our tyres and a sign to warn us of the potholes would be helpful.” Chrizelle Dreyer, Democratic Alliance councillor for Ward 15, said that residents are frustrated by the lack of service delivery and probably got the idea from a recent video on Facebook that went viral.

“The municipality must come up with a maintenance plan which links with the budget to ensure adequate funding for the repair of potholes within its jurisdiction. Currently, they do not have a fixed maintenance plan, schedule, or adequate funding for the repair of potholes within the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM). I will raise this with the relevant director to ensure it gets the attention needed,” she said. Herald contacted the GTM for comment on the pothole issue. “To answer your question, we have seen the markings, it was not like this, it was circles only which were done by the GTM to mark the number of potholes to be fixed, but the ANC part was done by random people, we don’t who but just people who think that it is an ANC problem,” Vutivi Makhuvele of GTM.