DUNDEE KZN: ‘Why do we have such bad roads?’
All the roads are bad, they say; there is not a single road that is well paved or drivable.
Residents of Payne’s Farm in Glencoe continue to complain bitterly that the municipality never had any intention of restoring their shocking roads. The community of Payne’s Farm – consisting of residents living in Francis, Louisa, Emily, Alice, Commando and Maritz streets – have complained to the municipality numerous times about their living conditions. This, according to the residents, has fallen on deaf ears, as they are still fighting for service delivery. Their main grievances are the dusty and bumpy roads, lack of sewage lines, water and electricity. According to a resident Khulekani Kubheka: “We have been complaining about the condition of our streets for over a decade now, but councillor after councillor just makes empty promises and nothing is ever done. It was only in 2018, after the Courier published a story, that municipal officials surveyed the area and came with a grader. After that, they didn’t set foot here. It’s sad, because we feel isolated and like we are not part of Endumeni.” All the roads are bad, they say; there is not a single road that is well paved or drivable. “With the rain, the roads get really dangerous to drive on.” Mbali Kubheka’s main concern is the streetlights that have not worked for months. “These street poles are not stable at all and one fell on top of our house recently, causing a crack and a hole. The concerning part is, what if the pole fell on one of our kids? Who would be to blame then? Who would take responsibility for that? Technical workers were informed and they came and tied another pole to the one that fell. “Even with that, it is not stable; not to mention the non-operational streetlights in our street and the sewage pipes that are always overflowing.”
Speaking to Stephanie Du Plooy, who has family members staying at Payne’s Farm, she cited that: “I am disabled and I drive on these roads every other day with such difficulty. Our cars are getting damaged and I can’t drive on rainy days to come and see my family. Something has got to be done about these roads before we lose our cars to them.” Councillor Abdool Mohammed of Ward 7 explained that: “The matter of Payne’s Farm is being addressed as we speak. I am aware of the conditions of the roads and I met with technical services personnel on January 10. I gave a list to Mr Ndlovu (Executive Manager: Technical Services), whom I met in Glencoe, and he explained that the grader is currently being repaired. However, my ultimate aim is to do all the tarred roads in Ward 7, depending on municipal funds. “The community of Payne’s Farm has been neglected for over 20 years and I will do everything in my power to prioritise them.” The Technical Department was unreachable for comment at the time of going to print.
YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394
