Community of Pienaarspoort repair their roads
Volunteers armed with basic tools took matters into their own hands to ensure ambulances, taxis, and other vehicles could safely access the clinic.
The community of Pienaarspoort (Ext 21) near Rayton came together to repair the severely deteriorated roads leading to the area’s only clinic last week.
The community’s pleas for help were mostly ignored despite repeated efforts to reach out to the City of Tshwane’s Roads and Stormwater Department.
As a result, volunteers armed with basic tools took matters into their own hands to ensure ambulances, taxis, and other vehicles could safely access the clinic.
The clinic serves as a lifeline for hundreds of residents, but the dilapidated roads, filled with potholes and ditches, cause significant delays in emergency response times. Clr Johannes Bekker shared the community’s frustration, highlighting officials’ inefficiency and indifference.
“Despite escalating the issue to multiple departments, the roads remain in poor condition, forcing volunteers to act in place of local government action.
“This community-funded initiative has drawn attention to the gap in essential services for underserved areas. The residents pooled their resources to buy materials and donate their time, underscoring the pressing need for better infrastructure,” said Bekker.
While the clinic staff are grateful for the volunteers’ efforts, they stressed the need for a sustainable, long-term solution.
The residents have now advocated for a review of the local government’s infrastructure budget and demanded a clear timeline for road repairs.
“The efforts of the Pienaarspoort Ext 21 residents are a testament to the strength of community unity but also a sobering reminder of the failures in government service delivery,” said Bekker.
“The patched roads might provide temporary relief, but the broader infrastructure neglect and mismanagement issues must be addressed for lasting change to occur.”
