Letter: Roads a shamble

Privi Makhan, Ward 22 Councillor writes: The regional DoT continues to fail the community of Ward 22.

The last 10 months have proved to be a challenge, dealing with the non-committal attitude of the regional Department of Transport officials.

I have been inundated with a plethora of calls from residents and ratepayers who have had their vehicles damaged due to new or long existing potholes throughout the Salt Rock, Sheffield Beach and Shaka’s Rock area.

The poor workmanship from various contractors has left the community frustrated.

This has caused the community to intervene in the interim and spray paint around potholes with reflective paint in order to prevent further damage to their vehicles.

It is unconscionable that residents have to bear the brunt of the inefficiencies of local and provincial departments whose very mandate is to provide services.

Provincial roads in Ward 22 remain in a shambolic state despite numerous pleas to the Transport department to effect repairs.

Far too many departments are using the national lockdown as a mask for blatant ineptitude.

Roads such as the P228 and P474 have become nothing short of unusable.

With collapsing edges, imminent sinkholes and massive potholes, road users are risking their lives daily on these roads.

A wash away reported to the Transport department on November 18, 2019, remains a back-filled mess, ready for a further collapse with the next heavy rains.

Provincial road P339 remains a danger to both pedestrians and motorists and the need for traffic calming measures on this busy road is critical.

Yet again, pleas to the regional structure of DoT has fallen on deaf ears.

Why have the appeals for repairs since November 2019 been met with absolute nonchalance?

I have since called on the DA’s spokesperson on Transport in KZN, MPL Sharon Hoosen to intervene with communications with the MEC for Transport, Bheki Ntuli to provide some relief to the residents of Ward 22.

I will be providing feedback to the community accordingly.