The R36/Badfontein road has been closed indefinitely since 06:00 this morning, Wednesday, February 21.
The community members living next to the dilapidated and unfinished section of road have blocked it off, and demand that the Mpumalanga Department of Transport address their grievances.
ALSO READ: Accident on N4 close to Mbombela claims one life
Sipho Nkosi, a community representative, told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that no vehicle will be allowed to leave or enter the R36 near Klipfontein. Two trucks were parked across the road, making it impossible to get to or from Lyndenburg via this route.
“It has been more than three years since the main contractor, Edwin Construction, started with the rehabilitation of an 11km stretch of road. The company had to stop and evacuate twice on account of non-payment by the Mpumalanga Department of Transport. We have had enough. Either they come and address us and see the road condition for themselves, or we close it off indefinitely,” Nkosi said.
For more than three years, communities and farmers in the area have had to make use of this unfinished and untarred road.
Farmers are regularly seen repairing potholes to make the road somewhat driveable. Nkosi said that the community’s biggest concern is the lack of services due to the road condition.
“Ambulances and even the SAPS refuse to drive on this road. Call them now and you will be told to look for an alternative since the roadway is inaccessible. We are cut off from the rest of society because of the department’s inability to take this matter seriously. Maybe when a couple of hundred million [as he referred to the number ore trucks being stranded next to the road] are waiting in the line, they might take this matter more seriously,” Nkosi emphasised.
Upon last count, a 15km-long line of trucks had formed on the road on account of the blockade.
ALSO READ: Nine people killed in two accidents on R38 and N4
“We won’t stop. We want answers, even if it takes us weeks. They need to get here,” Nkosi said.
The newspaper has reached out to the department for comment on the matter. As soon as a response has been received, the story will be updated. This is a developing story.
