Krugersdorps’ shockingly poor roads infrastructure incites worry
"Every politician worth his salt will emphasise the importance of infrastructure."
The South African Institute of Civil Engineers has issued a damning report on the quality of public infrastructure in South Africa, as well as government’s ability to meet the demand for infrastructure. These professionals share the view of the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng, which has publicly lamented the fact that infrastructure development in the province and in the country is characterised by poor planning, a lack of technical skills and capacity, corruption and poor or insufficient maintenance.
Alan Fuchs, DA Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development, said the new democratic political dispensation in South Africa since 1994 has resulted in a progressive deterioration of infrastructure.
“This is directly attributable to a paucity of expertise in the public sector relating to world class infrastructure implementation,” said Fuchs.
“While this expertise exists in pockets in the private sector, the public sector has not been able to compete and attract or retain suitably experienced professionals.”
Furthermore, the extremely low allocation of available financial resources to the maintenance of infrastructure has led to a situation where the current status of the infrastructure, especially at local government level, is that it is at risk of failure. The cost of replacing this infrastructure is much higher than it would have been if sufficient maintenance had been done in the first instance.
Thus, in the last 20-odd years, South Africa’s infrastructure development has not advanced as it should have. It has been an opportunity lost.
Read more: ANC delivers newly tarred roads
“While every politician worth his salt will emphasise the importance of infrastructure implementation to provide services and to improve socio-economic conditions, none of those who have been responsible for infrastructure have shown sufficient political leadership to halt the deterioration. Even if they suddenly woke up to the realities, there is currently insufficient capital in government’s hands to rectify the situation.”
The private sector, on the other hand, is loath to invest in an uncertain political climate, where private property rights are under threat.
Photo: Petition24
The Gauteng government has in the recent past, taken heed of the situation, but there are too many factors out of their control for them to resolve the problems.
In the meantime, residents wait for a DA government to take control so that world class standards can finally be applied. Even then, it will take time to make up for lost opportunity.
Meanwhile, Sipho None reported that on Thursday, 28 September, Patrick Lipudi, Executive Mayor of Mogale City opened a newly constructed road that was once a narrow and muddy path in Rietvallei.
Also Read: Rain causes R50m damage to Gauteng roads – repairs under way in Mogale City
He also opened nine other streets in the same area.
The project, which is referred to as PR 6 Rietvallei 3 and 3A Roads and Stormwater, is valued at R12,8 million and was funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).
In the Central Business District (CBD) of Mogale City, more than 5km of roads are currently being resurfaced and repaired. The project forms part of the Municipality’s plan to rehabilitate and resurface main arterial roads. The programme seeks to meet the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) principles for construction and maintenance of roads and stormwater networks – another Municipality-driven intervention – and was also funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).
Despite this, various petitions relating to the road infrastructure have been created on Petitions24.com, the latest of which is titled: Petition to increase the quantity and quality of the lanes at the Pinehaven Crossing on N14
At the time of publication of this article, the petition had 156 signatures.
It reads: “We the residents living on the N14 road are asking the Authorities to rebuild and repair the N14 road from the N14/R28 crossing to the Pinehaven intersection. This road has been under discussion for decades and nothing up to date improved.”
The petition explains that with the opening of Cradlestone Mall and Pinehaven Hospital the intersection was upgraded, leaving a bottleneck in the road towards Ventersdorp on the N14.
It requests among others that the road be widened from the Pinehaven intersection, curbs be placed alongside the road to prevent vehicles stopping next to the road, and a solution be found for the unauthorised business entrances.
Read the full petition here: https://www.petitions24.com/n14_r28#sign
The News contacted the spokesperson of Mogale City Local Municipality, Nkosana Zali for comment and is awaiting feedback.
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