Farmers call for action as critical P104 road faces imminent collapse

The crucial P104 road inland of Shakaskraal remains at risk of imminent collapse following the recent flash floods.

The road is a key trade route for hundreds of farmers, while the Avon Peaking Power Plant relies on it for deliveries of fuel.

If the P104 collapses, trucks will have to make use of a 15km detour via the P103, which is still awaiting major repairs from the 2022 floods.

On the P103 vehicles are only able to cross the Mhlali River at Rain Farm Game and Lodge because of a stopgap bridge installed by the lodge and farmers.

A dam which formed on the west side of the road on the P104 as a result of a blocked pipe has grown significantly, which along with various attempts to uncover the exit pipe on the east side, has now led to a compromised road structure.

Millions of litres of water have collected and are being privately pumped out by Ballito Crushers and other members of the community who have contributed to fuel costs.

This was originally reported by the Courier in November last year, when the dam was pumped to the point that excavation work could start.

After a few days, the pumps donated by Ballito Crushers had emptied the dam enough for teams from the transport department to move in,” said resident, Jason Kobusch.

“Excavation began and the outlet pipe was found, but unfortunate timing on sourcing equipment meant that work stalled at a crucial stage.”

The pipe remained blocked and the dam has since refilled to its previous level as a result of the recent floods.

Further washaways on other parts of the road also formed, including one that caused an accident involving a taxi carrying schoolchildren last week.

Luckily no serious injuries were reported.

While the provincial transport department is already on site repairing that sinkhole, movement on the nearby dam project remains slow.

“It has now got to a point where planning is happening at a national transport department level,” said Kobusch.

“It doesn’t seem like they are going to do anything until a permanent solution is in place, but we are lobbying for temporary measures in the interim.”

Kobusch said temporary measures would include cleaning the blocked pipe and installing three extra sections of pipe as a safeguard against potential erosion and resulting blockages.

Although the dam can be drained privately, as is again being done by Ballito Crushers, structural work needs to be done by the transport department.

The community is again locked into a waiting game with little other recourse than to drain the dam and clear debris.

The transport department had not responded at the time of publication.

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