Communities call for completion of abandoned road project

MOLEBELEDI– Communities of Molebeledi, Magate, and Mamatjekeng Villages in Ga-Masemola area, Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM), are simmering with anger and frustration over the abandoned road project that was meant to bring relief and connectivity to their communities.

The 5 km phase 1 of the Molebeledi-Mohloding to Masemola Moshate Access Road, a project that was supposed to be a game-changer for the area, lies unfinished, a stark reminder of the Makhuduthamaga Municipality’s failure to deliver on its promises.

Residents are up in arms, blaming MLM Mayor Merah Mahlase for the debacle, alleging that she made empty promises during her visit to the area.

They allege that Mahlase visited the area around October 2025 and promised residents that the project will be completed soon.

“She came and promised us the project will be finished in a few months, but it has been almost a year now and nothing has happened,” said an angry residents who did not want to be named.

The contractor, it appears, abandoned the project due to payment disputes with the municipality, leaving workers unpaid for months.

This has added insult to injury, with residents feeling betrayed by the municipality’s failure to pay workers who were promised jobs.

“We are tired of being lied to. We need roads, not excuses. It is heartbreaking to see our community suffer like this. The workers were promised jobs, and now they are not being paid. It is a shame,” he said.

The community’s anger is palpable, with residents feeling isolated and frustrated. The abandoned project has made life difficult, especially during the rainy season, when the gravel roads become impassable.

“We are forced to travel on these terrible roads, and it is a nightmare. The municipality needs to take responsibility and finish this project,” said a concerned resident.

But MLM officials have remained tight-lipped about the issue, failing to respond to repeated requests for comment.

This silence has only fueled the community’s anger, with residents demanding answers and action.

“We won’t back down until this project is completed. We deserve better from our municipality,” added a resident.

As the standoff continues, residents are left to wonder what happened to the funds allocated for the project, and who is accountable for this massive failure.

“We are not asking for much, just basic infrastructure. But it seems like the municipality doesn’t care about us. They need to listen to us and deliver on their promises,” he said.

At the time of going to press, MLM Spokesperson, Thomas Mashabela, could not respond to the publication’s enquiries.