Road a danger to pedestrians
Residents of Nellmapius and Marikana informal settlements say unfinished road put their lives at great risk.
Thato Mahlangu
Using Buffalo Road is a nightmare for pedestrians.
The people Record spoke to say the road is deadly when it rains.
The road connects residents of Marikana informal settlement and Nellmapius Ext 4 to the Eerste Fabrieke train station and local schools.
Pedestrians said the Tshwane metro had neglected the road for 20 years.
When it rains, the gravel road turns into a muddy dam, in certain areas even as deep as 30cm.
Terrassa Mdungwane, (61) has lived in Nellmapius for over 20 years and uses the road to go to shops.
She said residents had repeatedly complained to ward councillors but nothing has been done.
“Our councillors do nothing except steal and waste money. Marole (councillor) does nothing except steal money meant to develop our poor community,” said Mdungwane. “The roads in Nellmapius are a mess. What is Marole doing?
“He and his government are really gambling with our lives.”
Calls to councillor Precious Marole went unanswered, and he did not return Record’s messages.
Sthabiso Malekane, a grade 12 pupil at Mamelodi High School who lives in Nellmapius Ext 1 told Record he had to use the road at least twice a day to school and back.
He said often pedestrians had to wait until there were no cars crossing the pool of water before they could use the road.
“As vehicles drive over, they splash the dirty water,” he said. “So you cannot just cross. I have been late for class many times because I have to wait to cross. Even pedestrians must take turns because the area we use to cross is narrow and can be used by only one person at a time.”
Malekane said even the waiting sometimes did not help as cars can arrive while a pedestrian was crossing and splash them anyway.
“When you get to school dirty you become self-conscious… your confidence has left you,” Malekane said.
Zim Jiyane, who works at the nearby factory, said he has to buy his son, Ntokozo (8), new school shoes every three months because they get wet when he crosses the pool and therefore they do not last.
“I cannot afford to pay transport to take my son to school and back because I am underpaid where I work so, instead I walk him to school,” he said.
“Can the government intervene now?”
Tshwane metro had not responded to questions at the time of going to print.
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