The DA in Limpopo calls upon the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Ernest Rachoene to urgently address the damage being caused by abnormal load mining trucks on the already fragile road infrastructure in the Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit areas.
In the past few weeks heavy rains and flooding have damaged infrastructure, made roads inaccessible, and caused significant damage to roads. Currently the R40 between Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit is closed and the road from Mica to the R36 (R530) is also closed. These large mining trucks have further exacerbated the situation and have caused significant traffic congestion in and around Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit with the current road closures.
One of the few open roads that is providing passage to Tzaneen from Hoedspruit, the R526 from Mica to Gravelotte has in the past few days been significantly damaged and it is highly likely that the R71 from Phalaborwa to Gravelotte and Tzaneen is the next road that will be damaged by these large trucks.
It is now time to seriously consider the impact of these abnormal load mine trucks on the already fragile road infrastructure in the area. It seems to be clear that these abnormal heavy load trucks cause massive damage to the lower base of the road especially when the ground is so saturated with rain water and therefore softer than normal.
Mining is a key economic driver in the area and is vital to the economic development and job creation but it is time for the province to engage mines and address why products from the mines are not transported predominantly using the railway. The mines should also play a more significant role in assisting to maintain Limpopo’s road network in these areas.
The DA calls upon MEC Rachoene to urgently request the National Minister of Transport to negotiate a Private Sector Participation agreement with the mines in Phalaborwa in order to stop the misuse of already fragile road infrastructure. The DA is committed to ensuring that Limpopo residents have a road infrastructure that is adequate and facilitates economic growth and opportunities