Ladysmith KZN: Angry residents block Helpmekaar Road
The road has been blocked with branches and rocks since Sunday
From Sunday (May 30), residents of the Nazareth and Somsuku areas, under Ward 31 and 32, have blocked the Helpmekaar Road passing the Uitval area. The residents are demanding a tarred road from Helpmekaar in the Maqanda area to Somsuku.
According to them, the road was approved in 2014 but up until today, nothing has been done. Everything is at a standstill in this area, with cars travelling from Dundee to Ladysmith (and vice versa) being forced to use alternative routes.
Protesters have blocked the road with burning tree branches, rocks and rubble, making it impossible for vehicles to get through.
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The residents say they are tired of empty promises from the government, and that even former MEC for Transport Mr Willies Mchunu promised them that the road would be built. Nothing ever happened.
Alfred Duma Local Municipality Mayor Vincent Madlala went to address them on Monday (May 31), but the protesters claim that he had nothing concrete to say. Mayor Madlala evidently promised them that he will get the HOD from the Department of Transport to come and speak to them. The residents are adamant that they will not open the road until the MEC for Transport has come to address them.
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