No money for roads will undermine job creation 

12 July 2016

The Department of Public Works and Roads in North West is dodging responsibility to fix a dilapidated road linking the communities of Kaalpan to Gelukspan and Itsoseng.

This road is the economic lifeline of the communities. Heavy vehicles from the Sepaku Cement Factory, farmers, taxi’s, busses and community members travel on this road on a daily basis. The tarmac surface is non-existent, damaging vehicles and resulting in claims against the local government.

The DA has raised the importance of rebuilding and maintaining the road during several Legislature sittings. We have also submitted written questions to the MEC for Public Works and Roads – only to be referred back to the Mahikeng Local Municipality.

We have now confirmed that it is the responsibility of the Provincial Department to maintain this road and not that of the Mahikeng Local Municipality. A senior official in the Department informed us that there is no money available to ensure that important infrastructure like this is maintained. Instead of being truthful or taking action, the ANC are simply shifting the blame.

The Sepaku cemenct factory creates many job opportunities for the nearby rural communities. It is a pity that the safety of employees and assets are ignored. Farmers also suffer great losses when transporting grain and cattle on the road. 

The situation has become so dire, that in December 2015, Sepaku pledged to donate their own cement in order for the road to be fixed. The ANC failed to take up this offer or take any action. 

This ignorance creates a dangerous situation for all travellers and will definitely not add to the Premier’s vision to develop villages and small towns. Investors will simply not invest in an area where proper roads are not available.

We call on the MEC for Public Works and Roads to acknowledge his Department’s responsibility for the road and to act in the interest of the community, farmers and companies of the area.

Unlike the ANC, the DA uses public funds to deliver better services to all.

Issued by Jacqueline Theologo, DA North West Chief Whip, 12 July 2016