Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Arista Annandale.
The DA in the Mahikeng Local Municipality recently conducted an oversight inspection of Riviera Park, Ward 9. Several roads including Langenhoven, Geranium, Constantia, and Jupiter are pothole-ridden to the extent that only one car can pass at a time (see images here, here, and here).
During a meeting with the Portfolio Committee of Infrastructure last week, we were informed that there is no budget for road repairs. The potholes that are being filled are facilitated through donations from the public, by the public.
Residents pay their rates and taxes, but no effort is made to provide basic services such as the maintenance of roads. During the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) public participation process in May 2022, the DA objected to the fact that not a single road in Riviera Park was considered for resurfacing or even filling potholes.
It is perplexing that Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and other politicians and government officials use these pothole-ridden roads daily without batting an eye.
It is a shame that the fundamental function of maintaining the infrastructure cannot be done at a time when boosting the local economy and creating jobs are of the essence. The Mahikeng Game Reserve, guest houses, and other small enterprises suffer because of the poor condition of the roads. These businesses support our demand for road repairs to be prioritised.
The DA will write to the MMC for Infrastructure, Cllr Gaasite Legalatladi, the MMC for Finance, Cllr Mogomotsi Senokwane, and the Municipal Manager, Adv Dineo Mokgwaketse, to request a joint meeting where a workable solution to repair these roads can be discussed.
The general state of roads in Mahikeng is a reflection of poor governance, a lack of planning, and no political will, and the DA will continue to apply pressure until each resident receives the basic services they are entitled to.