Pothole repair work began in the month of April in some of the worst-affected areas of the Vryheid CBD, with several streets already completed, according to a Facebook post by AbaQulusi Local Municipality.

Mixed reactions from road users
Some road users have welcomed the efforts by AbaQulusi Local Municipality, noting visible improvements in certain areas. Residents acknowledged that road conditions in AbaQulusi have been deteriorating and said the repairs are a step in the right direction.

However, others have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality and approach of the repairs. On social media, some residents argued that Vryheid’s roads require full resurfacing rather than temporary patchwork. Concerns were also raised that the repairs may not withstand heavy rainfall, with some predicting that patched sections could deteriorate quickly.

Calls for long-term solutions
Criticism was also directed at the municipality’s road maintenance, with residents calling for more sustainable, long-term solutions instead of what they described as half-done work.

Municipality responds to concerns
In the same Facebook post, the municipality acknowledged the frustrations raised by the community. They stated that the current repairs are temporary measures aimed at improving road safety while longer-term interventions are being planned. They added that potholes are a widespread challenge affecting many municipalities and require a step-by-step approach.

The municipality further noted that it is not financially doable to revamp all roads at once, explaining that while some roads may be fully upgraded, others will continue to receive patch repairs.

Encouraging civic participation
Residents were also encouraged to register to vote in the upcoming elections, as funding allocations such as the equitable share are influenced by population data and voter registration.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.