The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) laments the decision by Drakenstein Mayor, Stephan Korabie, to block the party’s motion requesting that the Municipality engage with the Cape Winelands District Municipality and the Western Cape provincial government to discuss trucks misusing the Bainskloof Pass.
According to the Mayor, the motion is inaccurate and Bainskloof falls outside Drakenstein’s jurisdiction as it is a provincial road.
In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, the response is short-sighted and incompatible with the responsibility to protect a national heritage route.
Although the Pass technically does fall outside municipal jurisdiction, nothing prevents the Municipality from engaging with the provincial government to protect this national heritage route, which forms part of UNESCO’s Cape Winelands Route.
Trucks frequently use the Bainskloof Pass as a shortcut between Wellington and Ceres, despite being prohibited from doing so.
Trucks frequently get stuck at the Pulpit, where sharp bends and an overhanging rock formation form a hazardous obstacle with no way to turn around. Between 2023 and 2025, 57 incidents have already been reported, resulting in road damage, erosion and hours of traffic congestion.
“Gawie se Water”, an important part of the heritage area, is also being increasingly jeopardised due to rituals, too many vehicles parking there, obstructing roads, and illegal fires. In 2022, an unattended fire that was not put out resulted in a much larger fire that caused significant damage.
In its motion, the Freedom Front Plus requested that the provincial and municipal authorities collaborate to prevent trucks from using the Bainskloof Pass.
The party also called for stricter enforcement at “Gawie se Water” to prevent pollution, excessive parking and fire risks, and protect the Pass’s heritage status.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep the pressure on until this route and environment are protected as they ought to be.
