Taxi drivers in Nigel have raised serious concerns about ongoing water overflow along Silvers Road, near a dam in the area, which has made the route increasingly unsafe for daily use.

The problem reportedly began nearly two years ago, following heavy rains, and has persisted.

According to the drivers, the water frequently overlaps the road surface, forcing them to avoid the route. They say that numerous complaints have been lodged with the local municipality, but no remedial action has been taken yet.

The chairperson of the Nigel Taxi Association, Meshack Motloung, said the situation places both drivers and commuters at risk and left a financial impact on taxi operators.

“This water has been covering the road for almost two years now, and it has become impossible for our drivers to use Silvers Road safely. Every time it rains, the situation gets worse.

There is no warning signage or proper drainage in place. We have written letters, made phone calls, and reported this problem several times, but there was no response or visible action. Our drivers must use alternative routes that are also in very poor condition,” he said.

Motloung explained that the alternative road continues to damage vehicles and endanger passengers.

“That road is full of potholes and loose gravel, which causes constant breakdowns and extra repair costs for taxi owners. Passengers are also at risk because the road is dusty and uneven, and this affects visibility and comfort. We are simply asking the municipality to take this issue seriously and fix the road before someone gets hurt,” he said.

A resident, Sipho Mdlalose, said the ongoing situation has also affected the community.

“We use this route every day, and the water on Silver Road has made it dangerous for everyone. Some days the water is so deep that you cannot see how bad the road under it is. When people take the alternative route, the potholes and gravel damage vehicles and increase maintenance costs. As residents of this area, we are requesting safe roads so people can travel without fear of accidents,” he said.

The drivers and residents are calling on the municipality to urgently intervene and address both the water overflow at Silvers Road and the deteriorating state of the alternative route before the situation worsens.

Comment has been requested from the CoE, but no answer was received at our time of going to print.