Mlungisi business hit hard by road upgrade delays
The Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) has proven that the plan to complete the R18.8m road upgrade in Pambo Street, Mlungisi, in July was far-fetched.
Instead, the now gravel road turned mud festival is rapidly eroding, with motorists having to take alternative routes to avoid damage to their vehicles.
The initial date of completion for this project was April, as indicated by the municipal spokesperson. But it was a blatantly implausible announcement.
The previously potholeriddled tar road was excavated and, at some point, left unattended. Delays were, according to EMLM, due to the sourcing of material and plant, and inclement weather.
Motorists have had to use bypasses when works were under way, with the hope that the project would be done properly, and speedily.
Just when the project had begun to take shape, it suddenly came to a standstill with no explanation from the municipality as to why and when roadworks would resume.
A week ago, community members joined forces to draw attention to the poor state of the town’s road infrastructure.
Business owners expressed their frustration when they reportedly addressed EMLM officials on how this project, which was also carried out in Nomzamo, was affecting Mlungisi’s economy.
Residents took to social media in exasperation.
Businesses owned by young people were hard hit, with customers refusing to travel to their establishments because of the rough, dusty road.
All of this is happening in a country that has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world.
The municipality has a reputation for poor delivery of services, and sadly some of these officials who were voted into power do not endure what the ordinary person is exposed to.
Was this an invaluable lesson to residents who had placed their trust in a municipality that continues to disregard its people?
What some of us have come to realise is that for the municipality to take swift action in matters of concern, community members have to partake in protest action, burn tyres and blockade roads to get the message across.
How do we hold the municipality accountable for such actions? You, the resident, must decide!
Was this an invaluable lesson to residents who had placed their trust in a municipality that continues to disregard its people?