The ever-deteriorating road conditions are a direct reflection of government failure, corruption, and a lack of accountability, said EFF MPL Primrose Sonti during a legislature sitting in Mmabatho on Tuesday (11/3). 

Residents deserve better than crumbling infrastructure, she said. “It is deeply concerning that roads in key areas such as Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, Rustenburg, and Klerksdorp remain riddled with potholes, uneven surfaces, and years of neglect. 

“The worst example is the road between Ventersdorp and Derby, where driving feels like an endless, treacherous journey due to its severely damaged surface.”

The poor state of roads across the province poses serious risks to motorists. She pointed out that the Ventersdorp-Derby road, allegedly repaired after the 2024 elections, now looks as if it has been neglected for decades.

“What makes this worse is that the same road was supposedly repaired last year after the elections, yet it already resembles one that has been ignored for decades.” Sonti criticised the provincial government for allowing substandard work on taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects.

‘Roads begin to deteriorate within months of supposed repairs’

During this year’s State of the Province Address (SOPA), Premier Lazarus Mokgosi claimed that billions of rand had been allocated to address infrastructure challenges, but Sonti argued that the situation on the ground tells a different story.

“Despite billions being set aside for road maintenance each year, the reality is that these funds never reach the people. Instead, they are wasted on contractors who use cheap materials and fail to deliver quality work.”

She further claimed that corruption is widespread in the province’s procurement system, where politically connected contractors secure tenders but deliver poor-quality work. As a result, roads begin to deteriorate within months of supposed repairs.

Public frustration over infrastructure failures has also sparked protests. On Monday (10/3), taxi drivers in Matlosana staged demonstrations outside municipal offices, demanding urgent road repairs. 

They argue that the municipality’s neglect of road infrastructure has not only caused severe damage to their vehicles but has also negatively impacted their businesses, forcing them to spend more on vehicle repairs.

Meanwhile, OFM News has reported that major potholes in Mahikeng and Klerksdorp – first flagged during last year’s elections – remain largely unaddressed.

As a result, residents and opposition parties continue to question the effectiveness of the North West government’s Thuntsa Lerole service delivery programme, introduced two years ago to accelerate infrastructure maintenance.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh