Makhuduthamaga roads in despair, residents cry out for relief

JANE FURSE

Residents of Jane Furse in the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) are up in arms over the deplorable state of internal roads in their area.

The community raised concerns about deplorable state of the Madibong Access Road and Jane Furse Vergelegen C Access Road, which serve as lifelines to crucial facilities like the MLM Offices, New Jane Furse Hospital and Jane Furse Comprehensive School, have become a nightmare for commuters.

The community states that the roads are in a poor state, with potholes everywhere and washed-away tar roads which are previously shoddy constructed during municipality upgrades projects.

Residents said the Madibong Access Road is riddled with potholes, making it a hazardous route for drivers.

“It’s like driving on a war zone,” said Thabiso Maroga, a resident who uses the road daily.

“We have been complaining to the municipality for years, but nothing has been done. It’s frustrating and demoralizing,” he said.

The Jane Furse C Access Road is no better. The tar road has been washed away in some areas, and potholes are a common sight.

Lidiya Mabelane, a resident who lives along this road, laments the state of the infrastructure.

“During the rainy season, it’s like a river crossing. The road is impassable, and we are forced to navigate through mud and water. It’s a health hazard, and something needs to be done urgently,” she said.

The complaining community said despite repeated pleas to the MLM to revamp the roads, residents have been met with silence.

“The municipality’s inaction has left the community feeling neglected and disenfranchised. As residents, we now calling on the municipality to take immediate action to repair and maintain the roads. We argue that good roads are essential for the economic development and social well-being of our community,” said Mabelane.

Thomas Mashabela, MLM Spokesperson, said the municipality is committed to expanding and improving its municipal road network, on several key projects as outlined in the approved Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for 2025/2026.

“We are working diligently to improve the road infrastructure in our community. The detailed designs for the Madibong Access Road project have been completed and approved, and we are in the process of securing a contractor to work on the project. The appointment of a contractor is at an advanced phase, and we anticipate that the project will be completed soon,” he said.

Mashabela also addressed concerns about the Jane Furse Vergelegen C Access Road, which was damaged by heavy rainfall allegedly because of poor workmanship.

“We have submitted an application for the Municipal Disaster Response Grant (MDRG) to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to restore municipal infrastructure damaged by heavy rainfall,” he said.

“Once the grant is approved, we will begin the due processes to source and hire a contractor to refurbish the road. We will also ensure that the affected community is updated on the processes and that we adhere to the Batho Pele Principles in restoring the road to its original state,” he said.