‘Deadly road’ revamp still not done in Soweto

THE NOTORIOUS Soweto road on which four school pupils died is still a complete shambles.

Roadworks in Mdlalose Street in Protea North were scheduled to begin in January but this week the area leading to the deadly road was still obstructed by overlapping trees and overgrown grass verges, compounded by narrow pavements and non-existent storm water drains.

The Department of Roads and Transport set aside a sum of R4.5 million almost a year ago to repair the road. But the Saturday Star understands that no tender has been advertised to the public.

A feasibility assessment on the area also remains to be done.

The decision to revamp the road was announced by former Infrastructure Development MEC Faith Mazibuko in June last year. Tabling her R1.2 billion budget, Mazibuko said the improvements to the road would also help curb crime, as there had been reports of rape and robberies near the suburb.

Speaking during her budget speech Mazibuko lamented the deaths of Andile Mthombeni, Prince Mohube, Mlungisi Cwayi and Phomello Masemola. The four teenagers were killed when hip hop star Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye and his co-accused Themba Tshabalala ploughed into them during an alleged drag racing stint in March 2010. Fumani Mushwana and Frank Mlambo were also seriously injured during the incident.

But it’s not only school pupils who have perished because of dangerous drivers.

Moroka police station officer Sbusiso Mbango died after his vehicle collided with a police truck on the road. The driver of the van was charged with culpable homicide.

Despite having announced the date on which work would begin, this week the department of transport was mum on details regarding Mdlalose Street. Spokesman Octavia Mamabolo said queries about the road were being attended to internally.

A worried councillor said pupils at nearby schools were unable to use the road on rainy days.

Meanwhile Maarohanye and Tshabalala are set to appear at the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The trial was postponed in December. Maarohanye denied he had crashed into the children or that Tshabalala was his friend. The two face charges of murder, attempted murder and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.