– The condition of the bridge and the road poses a serious danger to road users.
– Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure and RAL have failed to act
– The DA calls on MEC Ernest Rachoene, to urgently repair the bridge and maintain the road
The DA calls on the Limpopo Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC, Ernest Rachoene, to urgently repair the 3692 bridge on the Stasie Road in Tzaneen as well maintain the road around the bridge where huge potholes threaten road user safety and damage to vehicles.
After numerous complaints from residents and the farming community, a recent oversight visit with DA Councillor, Chrizelle Dreyer, revealed neglected, damaged infrastructure and a disaster waiting to happen. The road before the 3692 bridge is partially hollowed out and poses a massive danger to motorists. View photos here, here, here , here and here.
After a complaint about the condition of the road and bridge by Councillor Dreyer,the Tzaneen Cost Centre indicated that a drum was placed where the road is damaged and this should be a warning to motorists to avoid the area. This is dangerous and unacceptable and must urgently be repaired. The longer the road is not repaired the chances of collapse increase daily.
The road has large crater like potholes that pose significant risk to road users and despite these concerns, the provincial department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure and Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) continue to ignore the danger residents face. The Stasie road also connects the R71 and the industrial area and is frequently used by large commercial vehicles, businesses, residents and farmers making it vital to economic activity in the area.
The department and RAL have a constitutional obligation to manage road infrastructure development and maintenance as well as keep roads safe. It is clear that poor management, negligence and sheer incompetence have resulted in the state of the road and bridge.
We will also submit questions to MEC Rachoene regarding the poor state of the bridge and to determine plans to address the poor condition of the infrastructure.
The DA is committed to prioritising infrastructure maintenance that will ensure the support of economic development that creates jobs and ensures the safety of residents.
Media enquiries:
Marie Helm
DA Limpopo Spokesperson on Public Works, Roads and infrastructure
082 683 2835
Moses Mariga
Researcher
0768219745