Rain brings destruction to already damaged roads
The old Penge Road (D2537) and the road from Bothashoek to Praktiseer (D4150) are at their worst. Pleas from motorists for the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure to have these two routes fixed were met with empty promises from the government.
BURGERSFORT – The recent storms did not do much damage to properties in Tubatse as had been predicted. However, the already-damaged, potholed roads now resemble ponds.
The old Penge Road (D2537) and the road from Bothashoek to Praktiseer (D4150) are at their worst. Pleas from motorists for the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure to have these two routes fixed were met with empty promises from the government.
In 2020, MEC Dickson Masemola and the Roads Agency Limpopo visited Tubatse while embarking on roadshows to address road infrastructure challenges.
During the visit Masemola said, “This is part of the continuing work to visit, inspect and experience first-hand what road users go through on a daily basis, as part of preparation for resolving the infrastructure challenges in the province.”
He said planning will begin in order to have the patching and rehabilitation work done soon within the current financial year.
“We are going to ensure major rehabilitation of the roads in Tubatse and engineering processes are under way towards getting a contractor on site. Our mandate is infrastructure provision and maintenance.”
Still, today nothing has been done. Several motorists highlighted that the problematic routes should be made gravel roads.
“These two roads are worse; we cannot blame the recent rains because they had been bad for five or six years now. We are now suggesting that they remove the damaged parts and just make them gravel as they cannot maintain them,” said motorist Fortune Mashilwane.
• Meanwhile in Morapaneng the heavy rains destroyed a pump machine. The Moutse River was overflowing. The residents will have to wait for Sekhukhune District Municipality to do machine maintenance before they can get clean water.
• In areas such as Riba Cross, Mashamothane, Bothashoek and Driekop there were reports that soil and sand had blocked the R37. Locals used spades to remove the debris and sand along the routes.
• Locals rivers such as Tswetlane, Tubatse and Pororo were also overflowing. “We are grateful for the recent rain. There were reports that our properties were going to be destroyed, however, we are grateful there was not much damage in our area,” said a resident, Malebo Lekwadu of Maandagshoek.
