Glen Cowie Four-ways to St Rita’s Hospital Road in shambles
GLEN COWIE/GA-MOLOI
The road from Glen Cowie Fourways to St Rita’s Hospital, a vital artery that connects two thriving villages, has become a symbol of frustration and despair for residents.
Despite a recent upgrade, the road has been poorly constructed, with potholes and peeling asphalt already visible.
The road’s poor condition is not a recent development. A tender was issued in 2023 for the rehabilitation of the access road from Glen Cowie Fourways to St Rita’s Hospital, but it appears that the work done has not met the expected standards. The Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) was responsible for the tender, and residents are questioning the municipality’s oversight and quality control.
The affected community says the road’s deplorable state is not only affecting residents but also patients who need to access the hospital.
According to residents, the road, which links Glen Cowie and Ga-Moloi Village, is making it difficult for them to access their homes.
They also claim the poor condition of the road is causing damage to vehicles, and the safety of commuters is being compromised. Residents say they are at their wit’s end with the poor conditions of the road, and their patience is wearing thin.
“This road is a nightmare. We were promised a smooth and durable road, but what we got is a road that is already falling apart. The potholes are everywhere, and the asphalt is peeling off. It is like they did not even care about the quality of the work,” said Michael Mokwena, a resident of Glen Cowie.
He said they demand that the municipality takes responsibility for the poor workmanship and ensures that the road is fixed properly.
“The municipality needs to take responsibility for this mess and ensure that the road is fixed properly,” he said.
Lebogang Digwale, another resident, echoed Mokwena’s sentiments: “The road is in a very bad state. It is causing damage to our vehicles and making it difficult for us to access our homes. We demand something be done about it. We cannot continue to suffer like this. We were promised that the road would be done to the highest standards, but it is clear that the contractors did not follow the specifications,” said Digwale.
She added that the road’s poor condition is not only affecting residents but also patients who need to access St Rita’s Hospital.
“The hospital provides critical healthcare services to the community, and the road’s condition is putting patients’ lives at risk. We need a road that is safe and durable. Patients need to be able to access the hospital without worrying about their safety. The municipality needs to prioritize the repair and maintenance of this road,” said Digwale.
At the time of going to press, MLM Spokesperson, Thomas Mashabela, could not respond to the publication’s enquiries.
