The Transport Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Mxolosi Kaunda and his team visited uMtshezi Municipality to respond to the call by the President ‘to take the government to the people’. Mr Kaunda said they are engaging with political leaders and administration to share the challenges and to look at means of aligning services.

The committee spent the whole day last week in the council chamber with the Mayor of uMtshezi, Bongani Dlamini and promised speedy service delivery of roads at uMngwenya, KwaMadondo and other areas. Mr Kaunda said their visit was to assess the impact of their role to the general life of the community and also to establish rural and national road transport forums, including looking at the challenges around the maintenance of roads.

It was reported that there will be an upgrading of P179, the Wembezi-Ntabamhlophe road linking to Estcourt, R179 Wembezi linking to Ennersdale – 9.5 kilometers and P280 Weenen and Msinga 30 kilometers to improve access to schools and create 360 jobs. It was also announced that the Colenso R73 road to Weneen – 15 kilometers – has already been completed, while P13 from Estcourt to Weneen – six kilometers, 15 percent has been completed and the D721 is been re-graded in Ward eight.

In Thembalihle 95 percent of the seven kilometers has been completed. The P26 road is to be fixed by the Transport Department. Meanwhile, the Transport Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Mr Kaunda said the R103 Bushmans River Bridge (near Princess Park) should be repaired, as concerns were brought forward that it has been neglected for more than three years after being damaged by an accident. Mr Kaunda added that signs must be installed to prevent road accidents.

He laid emphasis on the local transport department to liase with the municipalities and attend Operation Sukuma Sakhe and Integrated Development Plan meetings as well as road shows. This committee also discussed about the restriction of heavy-duty vehicles driving through Estcourt town.