- The D447 road is caving in and in a dangerous dilapidated state threatening road user safety
- Road rehabilitation as well as implementing erosion and traffic safety controls were meant to be completed by 30 August 2025 but remains incomplete
- DA calls for MEC Rachoene to intervene and urgently address the condition of the D447 road
The DA in Limpopo calls on the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Ernest Rachoene, for urgent intervention over the deteriorating and dangerous state of the D447 road between Kgapane and Tzaneen.
The DA carried out an oversight inspection of the road following numerous complaints from residents, taxi operators and motorists. The road seems to be caving in from both sides and is in bad condition because of shoddy workmanship and erosion of layers below the tar. The road also poses a threat to pedestrians as there are no warning signs of the condition of the road. View photos here, here, here and video here.
In response to written questions the department had previously indicated that there was a memorandum of agreement between Roads Agency Limpopo, Greater Letaba Municipality and Mopani District Municipality to address the damaged state of the D447 road and carry out remedial work to rehabilitate the road. The project was allocated R19.2 million and repairs of the D447 were meant to start on 13 May 2024 and were due to be completed by 30 August 2025, but it has not been repaired.
Besides residents and workers of the surrounding areas using the roads for their daily commute, the D447 road is also key to the major economic activities of the area and the failure to maintain the road threatens to hamper local economic development.
The DA will be submitting written questions to MEC Rachoene, seeking clarity on the department’s plans and timelines for the road’s restoration. The DA solution, if elected to govern in the upcoming elections will be to prioritise the maintenance and upgrading of roads to improve safety by ensuring sufficient budget allocation for upgrading road infrastructure through better prioritisation of budgets and PPPs where appropriate.
The DA cares about the safety of road users and is committed to ensuring a safe, adequate provincial road infrastructure network that stimulates economic development for the people of Limpopo.