Members of the Ward 1 Concerned Residents in Emalahleni have expressed shock in the wake of recent rains that damaged a road that cuts through Xonxa Village, leaving a sinkhole which posed a danger to commuters.
Pictures of the road (DR08569) sent to The Rep depict three sinkholes in the road, with one on the side exposing a pipe that was fitted some few years back when the road was constructed.
Concerned Residents member Nomfusi Soboyisi said the road through Xonxa, which comprises 10 villages, was used to and from work and school by Ward 1 residents.
“The road was constructed in the 2013/14 financial year and R17m was budgeted for it, including the construction of three other stretches of road in Ward 1. The company which was hired at the time was said, after completing our road, to have done sub-standard work and it was never fixed. Two more stretches were later done, and we want to know what happened to the rest of the money.”
“People who work in Komani, for instance, had to use an alternative road which is much further. Cars are damaged or get stuck in holes because they are right in the middle. It is even worse for pupils. The children who have to walk to school use the road, so they are not safe and we do not know who would be held responsible if something happened to them.”
Provincial department of transport spokesman Unathi Binqose said the stretch of road in question had been attended to on January 16.
“The sinkholes have been fixed because the road is regarded as one of the most important in that area and it is the desire of the department to make it accessible to the people. Teams remain on the ground to assess the extent of the damage beyond the glaringly obvious ones caused by the recent rains. The workers will draw up a report and suggestions on what can be done in the interim to ensure the road is safe and in good condition.”
