The R538 between the N4/Karino Interchange and Plaston, supposedly a gateway for tourists arriving in the Loweld via KMI Airport, has become an obstacle course of potholes.

Despite the world-class status of the airport, the road leading to its gates is crumbling, with the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) admitting that a permanent fix is only planned for next year.

A tourism practitioner, Oupa Pilane, has been vocal about the state of roads in the province that have a direct impact on the economy. Regarding this particular road, he said the authorities do not seem to care.

“This is a gateway to the Lowveld and for the thousands of tourists who land at the airport, the transition from a five-star terminal to a dilapidated road leaves a bitter taste. That is why a lot of tourists prefer direct flights to the Kruger National Park, probably to avoid experiencing the terrible roads,” he said.

According to Pilane, the lack of priority given to vital roads shows disrespect to the daily commuters and tourists.

The R538 was repaired just months before the January floods. However, it lasted less than a single rainy season.

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In response to Mpumalanga News’ enquiry, Sanral admitted that the 2025 repairs were merely a short-term maintenance intervention intended to hold the road together.

“These measures are designed to keep the road in a serviceable condition, pending a more comprehensive solution. Full rehabilitation requires detailed pavement design and engineering analysis, which fall outside the scope of routine maintenance activities. As a result, the temporary measures are more susceptible to deterioration under heavy rainfall,” said Sanral’s media relations manager, Lwando Mahlasela.

He did not specify an amount that would be attributed solely to the R538’s maintenance, as it formed part of a broader routine road maintenance contract. It covers multiple newly declared Sanral routes, inherited from both the municipality and the province.

He said the agency is in the process of procuring a consultant to undertake the detailed design phase, including investigations and analyses to determine the appropriate rehabilitation solution, after which the actual costs of the required works will be established.

“This phase is anticipated to be completed by February 2027. Subject to the completion of design and procurement processes, construction is expected to start in April 2027, with an estimated completion date of November,” he said. Routine road maintenance interventions will continue until then.

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For the motorists who manoeuvre the route daily, this is a bitter pill to swallow.
Julia Mthembu, a resident along the R538, said the pothole just after the Karino backroad stretches over both lanes and the one after the Tekwane North turnoff on the west lane are a nightmare.

“We are forced to stop or swerve into oncoming traffic in the morning and evening rush. We are sitting ducks for accidents or crime while we wait for a design that is still a year away,” she said frustratedly.

Traffic is often backed up at certain sections, forcing law enforcement to be deployed to direct it.