The silence over the collapsed P104 is deafening as civic organisations, farmers and businesses demand action.

What began as a blocked culvert has become a closed provincial road, an economic headache and a growing safety concern.

The Ihawu Lethu Association, Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra), KwaDukuza Organised Residents Alliance (Kora), iLembe Chamber of Commerce and KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) say repeated warnings have failed to prompt intervention.

Blocked drainage and rising water levels at the P104 culvert west of Shayamoya were first reported to the provincial transport department in October 2023.

As the ground deteriorated and cracks appeared, private landowners installed pumps at their own cost and offered equipment to help. By February 2024, a formal notice had been sent to the department, warning that failure of the road could endanger schoolchildren and other road users.

With no intervention forthcoming, landowners hired a TLB to open a spillway in an attempt to prevent the road from collapsing.

Ihawu Lethu Association chairperson Craig Slevin said the volunteer-led rural safety organisation represents many farmers, households, businesses and estates across about 50 000 hectares between Tongaat and the Umvoti River, inland from Ballito and Salt Rock.

“A blocked culvert, reported in writing, was allowed to become a collapsed provincial road. The cost now falls on farmers, businesses, tourism and every road user on the North Coast,” he said.

In March 2025, the national transport minister was formally warned about the looming collapse and its economic consequences.

The P104 was closed on October 24 and has remained closed since. Heavy vehicles have been forced onto a detour unsuited to two-way heavy traffic, while farmers face longer journeys and higher transport costs. Businesses and tourism attractions have also been affected.

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iLembe Chamber of Commerce CEO Cobus Oelofse said the condition of the road network was an economic, safety and competitiveness issue, particularly ahead of the festive season.

“Our roads are the arteries of the regional economy. When roads deteriorate or are closed, the economic consequences extend well beyond the road itself,” he said.

Commitments to repair the road have been made during stakeholder engagements, but work has yet to begin.

Docrra chief operating officer Mary Kassam said an action plan with clear timelines and responsibilities was long overdue.

The organisations are demanding an urgent update on approvals, work orders, contractor mobilisation and funding, as well as a firm reopening date. They also want immediate measures to improve safety on the detour.

The transport department had not responded at time of publication.