Bad roads raise concerns
Mpumalanga News has been inundated with calls from members of the public raising their concerns and frustrations over the shocking road infrastructure and potholes in many parts of the province.
MBOMBELA – Many people who called the newspaper said roads like the R541 connecting the N4 to Machadodorp, eMalahleni, Barberton, Nkomazi, Mbombela and Bushbuckridge, are in a terrible condition, and they feel unsafe when driving or commuting on these routes.
This has forced community members to find alternative routes to their destinations. Andrew Masilela, a motorist, said the roads in Marapyane have been in an appalling state for more than five years.
“We have to take longer routes, we spend more on petrol to avoid damaging our vehicles. Our area has turned into the city of potholes. We are starting to feel as if they want us to accept these conditions and know that nothing will be done to change the situation.”
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Bongani Dhlamini, the spokesperson for the provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, said, “The department is aware of the challenges regarding the road infrastructure and it is able to do routine road maintenance, but with limited resources because of budgetary constraints. Due to the heavy rainfall, the department has noted the number of damaged roads. However, in some of the communities, our maintenance team is being chased away by community members who demand the total rehabilitation of the roads. If a budget is allocated in the near future, the department will consider rehabilitating various road infrastructure networks.”
