Floods continue to hurt KwaDukuza residents more than a year later

Residents of lot 16 in KwaDukuza have endured damage to their vehicles for over a year after the April floods damaged their main road.

Following a query and visit to the area by the Courier last week, road repairmen finally arrived to fix Glenhills Drive, the road in question, on Tuesday.

Lot 16 is mainly a farming area inland of Glenhills and Ntshawini to the west of KwaDukuza town which has only one entry and exit road in practical use.

Most residents live at the top of a hill and are forced over deep potholes on their way down into the valley, with many parts of the road unable to accommodate two passing cars.

At the foot of the valley, a bridge that was filled in by residents after being partially washed away last year, is also in need of proper repair.

Lot 16 resident Jan van Wyk alleges that contractor vehicles fill water at the bridge, further damaging its last structural integrity.

“We have phoned, messaged, emailed and done everything we can to get people here over the last year. I have just had to pay to get my suspension fixed and my mom’s car will need to go in soon, too. It’s completely out of our hands but we are forced to pay the price. Where are our rates going?” Van Wyk asked.

He was relieved at the sight of workers on Tuesday but was wary that repairs may not be done properly as seen on the nearby Glenhills Road.

“Contractors tarred over potholes a month ago which have already caved back in. There’s no point in doing the repairs at all if that’s the outcome,” he said.

It could not be confirmed whether the damaged bridge would be included in the 401 projects to be undertaken with national flood funding by the KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM).

KDM had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.

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