Makhuduthamaga villagers voice concerns over poor roads

MAKHUDUTHAMAGA

Residents of various villages in Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM), are voicing their discontent about the long-standing concerns over the deplorable state of their roads, which they say have been an eyesore for many years.

The disgruntled residents, from Masehlaneng Village in MLM Ward 24, Mathapisana Village in MLM Ward 26 and Vlakplaas Village in MLM Ward 31, say the crumbling state of the D4262 Road, which is a 9.2km main road linking their villages, has become a source of frustration for commuters, business owners and residents alike.

A community leader, Jim Oupa Lentsoane, who is also Chairperson of Masehlaneng Vlakplaas Mathapisana (MVM) Allied Forum, said for many years, navigating the road has become a daily struggle as it is full of dongas and trenches, and also inaccessible at all during rainy days because of over-flooding.

“The road is a nightmare and now it is getting to a point where it is affecting our daily lives. We need a tar road as a permanent solution to this problem. It is time for authorities to take action,” he said.

Lentsoane informed that in August 2024, MVM Allied Forum submitted their concerns with Roads Agency Limpopo and no action was taken ever since.

“In September last year we convened a meeting with RAL officials who promised to send engineers in the coming two weeks but nothing happened. We are still in vain waiting for the engineers to come and assess the road for construction,” he said.

Lentsoane indicated that many locals have expressed their frustrations and disappointment with their local municipality and RAL officials about the poor state of the road, calling on the authorities to take action and address the issue of poor roads conditions.

“They keep on promising and nothing is happening. We need actions, not words. We deserve better roads and we will continue to push for change until we get it,” he said.

Lentsoane added that the road also poses health and safety risk and in need of urgent attention from authorities to direct resources for infrastructure development.

“The road is a hazard, especially for emergency services. We need better roads to ensure timely responses to emergencies. Motorists are also badly affected because they have to drive while dodging dongas and trenches worrying that their vehicles will get damaged,” he said.

While there is no immediate solutions insight, Lentsoane said they remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that action will be taken to address the issue of the poor state of D4262 Road.

“We will continue to raise our concerns and push for change. We deserve better roads and we will keep fighting for them,” he said.

At the time of going to press, RAL Spokesperson, Danny Legodi, could not respond to enquiries sent by the publication.