Mpumalanga's Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport started repairing the D514-road in Kiepersol, in the Mbombela Local Municipality (Mbombela/Nelspruit, Barberton, Hazyview, Kaapschehoop, Skukuza, White River), after pressure from the FF Plus and local residents.
A few weeks ago, the FF Plus submitted a grievance in writing on behalf of residents to the MEC of the Department, Mohita Latchminarain.
In response, Latchminarain gave the assurance that the repair of the D514-road will be prioritised.
Recently, on a stretch of just thirteen kilometres of the road, a total of 2200 potholes were counted. On average, there was a pothole every six metres.
If local farmers had not taken matters into their own hands, the stretch of road would have been inaccessible and the loss of lives inevitable.
Although the FF Plus welcomes the Department's swift response, it is a shame that drastic steps were needed to compel a department to fulfil its mandate of maintaining road infrastructure.
The FF Plus will monitor the repair work on the D514-road to ensure that it is done properly and not just temporary patchwork.
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