Rural roads of disrepair

The gravel roads in the Polokwane municipal area have now fallen into such a state of disrepair that residents have abandoned all hope of any support from the local authority, and attend to do the most urgent maintenance at their own cost.

- Barry Viljoen

Polokwane Observer recently accompanied Ward 23 councillor, Roelof Lourens to the Soetdorings and Doornbult smallholdings and found that the gravel roads had not been graded for years, making it inaccessible for residents, in particular during the rainy season.

A local resident, Ricolette von Benecke, confirmed that the matter has been raised with the municipality at various levels, but to no avail. "We are now using our own labour and resources to attend to the places where motorists can't even drive their children to school or reach medical care in case of emergencies," she said.