Roads in a remote South African area falling apart after its only grader broke down six months ago

Walter Sisulu Local Municipality’s only grader has been standing in a workshop for six months, leaving the roads to deteriorate without any upkeep.

Matthee Nel, a councillor in the Walter Sisulu Municipality, said they cannot maintain their recorded network of over 228 kilometres of unpaved municipal roads.

“Severely deteriorated roads make daily journeys to work, school, and clinics harder, damage vehicles, and increase transport costs,” he said.

“For businesses and farmers, unreliable roads undermine their ability to move goods and earn a living.”

The municipality’s road-maintenance yellow fleet consists of just two Tractor Loader Backhoes (TLBs) and the grader.

These vehicles must maintain roads in Burgersdorp, Venterstad, Oviston, Steynsburg, Aliwal North, and Jamestown.

“Two Tractor Loader Backhoes cannot replace the grading capacity needed across these communities,” he said.

The DA’s Shadow MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Vicky Knoetze MPL, has written to the Eastern Cape COGTA MEC, Zolile Williams.

Knoetze requested urgent provincial support under section 154(1) of the Constitution to restore the municipality’s road-maintenance capacity.

She also asked Williams to coordinate equipment support with the municipality, Joe Gqabi District Municipality, and the provincial Department of Transport.

“This must include temporary access to a working grader, the necessary equipment and operators, and a deadline for repairing or replacing the municipality’s grader,” she said.

“Residents also deserve an explanation for why it has remained in a workshop for six months.”

Nel said that the support programme must also address shortages of maintenance materials, fuel, and technical capacity.

“The Walter Sisulu Local Municipality must establish a funded road-maintenance schedule covering all six communities,” he said.

“Clear priorities, deadlines, and public progress reports must allow residents to hold those responsible accountable.”

Poor road infrastructure in Mbombela Local Municipality

The Walter Sisulu Municipality is not the only local authority which is struggling to maintain its road network.

Gugu Thwala, ActionSA’s City of Mbombela mayoral candidate, said that gravel roads in Gedlembane are deteriorating.

“The poor condition of the road is making it increasingly difficult for residents to travel in and out of the area, raising concerns about access to essential services,” she said.

“Of particular concern is the difficulty ambulances and other emergency vehicles may face when responding to medical emergencies.”

She said that nurses, teachers, and other essential service workers are also affected by the road conditions.

ActionSA has requested an inspection and grading of the road, repairs to damaged and eroded sections, and priority attention to areas needed for emergency vehicle access.

The party has also requested a clear maintenance plan and a written response from the mayor’s office within 14 days.

“The municipality is responsible for maintaining local roads and responding to legitimate community concerns,” she said.