‘Upgrade’ leaves M’sane roads worse off
GRAVEL roads in Mdantsane NU16 have gone from bad to worse, and irate residents have given up all hope of ever having decent roads outside their homes.
The company appointed to do the work was fired by the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) in last August.
Metro spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said the contract with the company was terminated due to its poor performance on site and for breaching health and safety issues.
“We are still committed to ensuring that this project finishes along with our plans of changing the face of Mdantsane, starting with the road networks which are the belly of this historic township. We can assure our people that we will make up lost time and complete this project.”
Frustrated Mdantsane residents, however, say the company abandoned the upgrade project after digging up most of their gravel roads, leaving them in a worse condition.
Nosikhokhele Mbusi, who has lived in the community since 2006, said residents would have preferred that the contractor left their gravel roads untouched.
“Our roads weren’t like this before those contractors caused this havoc. We’ve been left with the worst roads and it seems no one cares about us,” said Mbusi.
“The contractors dug up big holes all over our neighbourhood and left it like that. Our houses have suffered a lot of damage. We’ve been waiting for new contractors to come to our aid but it’s like no one hears our plight.”
She said rainy days left them stuck in their homes, unable to walk or drive.
“Rainy days are the worst. Water flows directly into our homes. We have no roads whatsoever.”
Thandeka Kontyo and Nosiseko Tshandu, who live in another part of the unit, said the dilapidated gravel roads were a daily concern.
“We’ve been crying for help. We live more than a kilometre away from the main roads, and sometimes no help is able to reach us when we have a crisis. Cars have rolled over and people have been injured because of how terrible our road is.”
Ngwenya said gravel road upgrades were expected to resume again later this year.
“The people of this area deserve nothing but the best quality service and that is why we are not willing to compromise, especially in a project of this magnitude. The tender process has already been undertaken for the work and is currently at evaluation stages. It is expected to be completed by July and work will proceed immediately thereafter with the appointed contractor.” —