Roads in Maruleng in bad shape for many years
The state of roads in the Maruleng municipal area has been in a state of disrepair for years.
According to Marie Helm, DA provincial deputy leader, especially the D21 and R527 are very concerning. The D21 road from The Oaks through to Sekororo and Trichardtsdal services more than 80 000 people. It is known to be one of the worst roads in the Maruleng municipal area. In their 2024/25 financial year budget speech, the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure mentioned that the D21 was completed and is now in phase 2.
But Helm says the road remains badly degraded and is riddled with gaping potholes. “The D21 poses a real threat to motorists that use it and to the residents of surrounding villages. “The DA has once again written to MEC Nkakareng Rakgaole to urgently address the terrible state of the R527, D21 and the general state of the road infrastructure in the Maruleng area,” Helm says.
Also read: Call for roads to be repaired in Maruleng
“The R527 road, which is key to tourism and farming activities in the area, has been poorly maintained and is riddled with large potholes that have the potential to cause serious accidents, especially during rainy weather when visibility is low,” she said.
She said that this road is further damaged by the additional pressure caused by large haulage trucks from the mines due to a lack of sufficient railway infrastructure in the area. Helm also referred to the main road through Lorraine, a village between Sekororo and Balloon that is so bad that motorists have created roads on both sides of the road. Herald reported on a sod-turning ceremony that was held for the rehabilitation of the road a few weeks ago.
Also read: R530 road not repaired despite promises
“The majority of the roads in Maruleng have gone without proper maintenance for years, some of these roads are of great economic significance in the area and some are vital to the daily livelihoods of residents.
The department has previously indicated that there are contractors appointed to maintain some of these roads but there is very little tangible proof of this, promises won’t fill the potholes,” she added. Herald contacted Witness Tiva, the spokesperson of the department on how the work on the D21 has progressed and when work on the R527 will be finished. Tiva was unavailable to comment at the time of print. The Herald will publish his response once received.
