Residents turn down ‘insulting’ R1-million road project, call on KDM mayor to ‘take contractor and leave’

KwaDukuza mayor Lindi Nhaca received an unpleasant surprise when she went to the Nyoni Yamanzi area last Wednesday to introduce the contractor of a road project.

Residents turned down the R1-million project for the re-gravelling of the Nyon Yamanzi road, claiming they had been promised a tarred blacktop road. They described the re-gravelling as an insult.

“If this road is not going to be a blacktop, madam mayor, take your contractor and leave,” said one of the more than 100 residents who had gathered for the introduction.

The mayor had to summon the municipality’s civils department executive director, Muzi Sithole, to come and explain why KwaDukuza was not constructing a tarred road.

Ward 16 councillor Sanele Mthiyane sided with the residents,

“This is an insult and R1-million is not enough for this road. There was a

R3.4-million budget allocation, so where is this R1-million coming from?” Mthiyane asked.

Sithole explained the municipality could not construct a blacktop road because it runs through private land.

“We are still busy with an expropriation process and cannot do anything on this land until it has been transferred to the municipality.”

Residents challenged this, questioning if the land was private, why could electricity and water systems be installed. They claimed the late KwaDukuza mayor, Ricardo Mthembu, had instructed the municipality to build the road.

Nhaca undertook to have a consultative meeting and would announce a date for feedback to be given to residents.

“It is important that we listen to the people and not impose something they do not want,” said Nhaca.

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