Motorists are outraged over the neglected state of critical tourism routes – the R538 towards Numbi Gate and the R536 leading to Kruger Gate.

The R40 between White River and Acornhoek also remains riddled with potholes, sparking concerns over safety and vehicle damage.

These roads fall under the maintenance jurisdiction of Mpumalanga’s Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT) and Sanral.

Local motorists claim the potholes on the R536 and R538 were present long before the recent heavy rains and remain in a poor condition despite being repeatedly reported.

These routes serve as primary gateways to the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the Panorama Route and stakeholders stress that these should be prioritised for their economic importance.

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Daisy Malambe, a local tour guide, says navigating these roads with a vehicle full of international tourists is embarrassing and dangerous.

“The responsible department is aware of the state of these roads, yet nothing has been done. We understand we had heavy rains, but it has been weeks since the weather improved and we see very little action on the ground,” Malambe said.

The situation is equally dire on the R536 near the Lowveld Mall traffic circle. A frequent commuter, Frank de Wet, said that the road has become nearly impassable.

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“Motorists are forced to drive over the curb of the circle just to avoid the holes. Those with smaller cars are often forced into oncoming traffic or have to drive straight into the deep potholes,” he explained. He claims to have personally contacted the provincial department which promised repairs by the end of January. “We are now in the second week of February and nothing has happened,” he said.

On the R40, motorists are urging Sanral to intervene as the road deteriorates daily creating life-threatening situations where drivers are forced to swerve into oncoming traffic.

The DPWRT’s spokesperson, Bongani Dhlamini, acknowledged receipt of our media inquiry on February 11 and promised a response.

However, no feedback was received by the time of publication. Similarly, Sanral’s spokesperson, Lwando Mahlasela, has not responded.