[Watch] Makeshift tollgate: Mpumalanga farmer’s detour offers relief from pothole-ridden route
A farmer is charging motorists to use a private detour after a road collapse forced a lengthy and pothole-ridden alternative route.
Videos of a makeshift wooden ‘tollgate’ or ‘boom’ gate have surfaced on TikTok, leaving commentators speechless — likely due to a lack of context.
Highvelder News reports that a farmer between Chrissiesmeer and Carolina in Mpumalanga saw an opportunity after the P177 road between the two towns was closed. The closure followed the collapse of a corrugated metal culvert bridge on December 28, causing extensive damage to the road and necessitating immediate repairs for public safety.
Repairs are still underway, but authorities have not indicated when they will be completed.
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In the meantime, traffic is being rerouted via the Carolina/Breyten route, now the primary alternative for motorists travelling to and from Chrissiesmeer.
However, this route is riddled with potholes and increases travel time.
The farmer created a detour on his private land to bypass the closed section.
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Motorists pass through a makeshift gate, paying R20 for regular vehicles and R50 for trucks.
Alet Cloete, a local resident, said she gladly pays the fee to avoid the alternative route.
In an effort to obtain more information on the road repairs, Highvelder contacted Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality spokesperson Thapelo Phetla.
Phetla said he had approached the provincial office and the Department of Public Works for answers but had yet to receive feedback.
He provided the newspaper with the contact details of Public Works spokesperson Bongani Dhlamini.
Questions regarding the expected completion timeline, possible reasons for delays, and safety measures were sent to Dhlamini on January 24.
He assured that he would provide answers as soon as he had the necessary details.
However, no further feedback has been received, and a follow-up email on January 28 remains unanswered.
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Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
