Rehab work on Plaston Road finally starts

PLASTON – For once the residents along this road are not complaining about holes. The turned sod lining the rapidly collapsing tar road to the east of White River, is evidence that mining giant, Phalabora Mining Company (PMC) is fulfilling its promise. The saga surrounding the D636, began in 2012 when the road bed started to give way under the weight of hundreds of ore carriers pounding it on a daily basis. These trucks, weighing in over 60 tons with a magnetite load and around 30 tons without, use this as the most convenient route between Phalaborwa and Maputo.

PMC announced earlier this year that it would sign a memorandum of understanding with the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport and contribute toward rehabilitating a four-kilometre stretch that was showing the worst signs of degradation. A promise was made to community members that they would have a new road for Christmas. However, the natives starting getting restless when, by the end of September, no sign of any work could be seen. “I'm starting to understand those people who get so frustrated that they start burning vehicles to get their point across. It seems that politely talking gets you nowhere these days. “When the rainy season arrives those potholes will quickly become impassable for the average vehicle.

Is there not a legal way we can have a weight limit set for our road that will bar these trucks from using a road that was clearly never intended to carry such a load? This situation has gone too far and I for one will not believe any new promises or comforting words.” This feeling was expressed at the beginning of October by one such resident in a letter to PMC.

Two weeks ago the contractor, KPMM established a site office on the Jatinga Road and commenced with groundworks. On October 24 the first community project steering committee meeting was held in Hillsview, chaired by the community liaison officer (CLO),

Mr Mthobisi Sambo and the Ward councillor for ward 38, Ms Olga Thobela. The purpose of the CLO is to assist with the employment of local people as unskilled labour on the project.

This includes flag men and women and general labourers. Small contractors were also encouraged to register at the site office.

A 24-hour stop-and-go point would be installed on the route once work started. Ore trucks will continue to use this road.