Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Johan Pieterse
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Madibeng is calling on the North West Department of Public Works and Roads to conduct an urgent site inspection on the catastrophic condition of the Wagpos-Lethlabile road within 7 days. The road, once a key transport route for school children, emergency services, and local farmers, has now become a death trap due to extreme potholing and neglect.
Several sections of the road have deteriorated to the point where safe passage is impossible. Motorists swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid potholes that are large enough to damage suspensions and burst tyres. There have already been reports of near-fatal accidents, and it’s only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs.
The Wagpos-Lethlabile road is not a municipal road, but a provincial route. Although a small section of the road passes through Brits within Ward 23, the maintenance and oversight of this road do not fall under direct municipal jurisdiction or my ward-level responsibilities.
Despite this, we were not notified or consulted regarding any rehabilitation plans or contractor appointments on this particular route, even though a portion of it falls within the geographic boundaries of Ward 23. The lack of communication is unacceptable and undermines transparency and local coordination efforts.
This road was scheduled for rehabilitation under the Provincial Department of Public Works and Roads’ 2024/25 provincial maintenance programme. However, no visible progress has been made. It is alleged that the contractors appointed to the project have not been paid, and the matter is currently under investigation.
We further call the North West Department of Public Works and Roads to:
- Release a formal remedial plan and timeline for repairs;
- Resolve all payment issues with current contractors or re-advertise the tender;
- Provide the public with weekly updates on progress.
This is not merely a matter of inconvenience – it is a growing public safety emergency.
We invite the Department to conduct an oversight with DA councillors and the affected community leaders to witness the extent of the damage firsthand.
Our residents deserve safe roads, not silence and delay.