Another set of millions of rands will be made available from the department’s 2023/24 budget to repair roads in the province. 

The new MEC responsible for the department, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, stated that at least nine roads in the province are a massive challenge as there has been flooding in those areas. This resulted in severe potholes forming, slippages on the road surface and pipes and culverts that have been washed away on some of these roads. Letsoha-Mathae added that drainage structures and roads leading to farming communities have also been badly impacted.

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The roads most affected in the province are:

• R30: Nyakallong and Allanridge

• R711: Fouriesburg to Clarens

• R74: Harrismith to Oliviershoek Pass

• R26 Clocolan to Ficksburg

• R59: Viljoenskroon Bypass

• S56: Memel – Verkykerskop

• S67: Ficksburg – Harmonia – Senekal

• S344: Fouriesburg to R26

• (S722 outside Bothaville, S183 over the Vals River, S1445, S58 between Ascent Silos and Standerton)

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Construction on the R30 was estimated to be completed by 15 March 2023, however, the new MEC has moved the deadline to the end of quarter 2 in the 2023/24 financial year. 

The road claimed over 15 lives in a few months, whereafter it gained momentum to be repaired. Letsoha-Mathae explained that R60 million has been allocated to repair several gravel roads that have been damaged through floods. “These funds will specifically be allocated to address challenges with regards to drainage on the gravel road network.”

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The provincial Premier Mxolisi Dukwana announced, during his State of the Province Address, that at least R1.9 billion will be allocated to fix roads. He stated the deteriorating roads are a stumbling block for the province’s economic development. Dukwana further stated that attention must be given to expediting the maintenance and construction backlog of the roads that form the backbone of the logistics industry and support economic activity, such as the roads in the Ficksburg and Bothaville areas. “International best practices have shown that road construction can happen in a more efficient and effective manner. Therefore, the provincial government will be exploring the implementation of solutions such as 24-hour road construction.”

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