Municipality refuses company permission to fix potholes
According to the company, the Municipality did not give a reason for its refusal.
NELSPRUIT – The AfriForum branch in Machadodorp has offered to fix the potholes in Church Street, on which the primary school fronts, but the process was hampered by the Emakhazeni Municipality who had refused its permission for the project. AfriForum wanted to resurface the street, as the condition of the road poses a threat to the lives of the learners.
“Motorists swerve to avoid potholes and endanger the lives of children standing on the sidewalk. We are very worried about the situation,” said Delon Duvenhage, Chair of the AfriForum branch in Machadodorp.
“We have contracted an independent engineering firm which would have managed the project on our behalf. Big businesses in the area were ready to sponsor the project. Without the permission of the Municipality, however, our hands are tied.”
According to the company, the Municipality did not give a reason for its refusal. Apparently they are afraid of negative publicity on the eve of the general election which would highlight them as incompetent should a civil rights organisation embark on such a project.
“Unfortunately, road works are a big project, involving road closures and the tearing up of the existing surface. We are not able to continue without the approval of the Municipality.” said Ruan Lottering, Organiser for AfriForum in Mpumalanga.
The Machadodorp branch of AfriForum will meet with the community and the legal team for the organisation to discuss possible measures to rectify the situation.
