The DA calls on the Mpumalanga government to save tourism business by urgently fixing the R536 road between the towns of Sabie and Hazyview. This is a strategic and important tourism route that brings millions of rands to the province.
The R536 road has been permanently closed on both sides. The closure took place on 18 February 2023 because of the continuous rains that the province of Mpumalanga has been experiencing and continuous to experience.
The DA is concerned that the R536 is a very prominent tourist route, taking travelers from the scenic Longtom Pass route (R37), through the quaint town of Sabie, through to Hazyview, and on to many holiday destinations like the Kruger National Park and lodges in and around Hazyview. The closure of this route will be a disaster for businesses and job security in the above establishments and areas.
We are concerned that the destination establishments on this route will be the hardest hit as there is no way to get to them. Since the implementation of the lockdown during the COVID period, where the tourism industry lost millions, the incessant load shedding, these establishments now must contend with another blow that will most definitely have an impact on jobs being shredded.
The DA would therefore call on the MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Transport, Mandla Ndlovu, to, as a matter of urgency, undertake an oversight mission to see for himself the state of not only the R536, but the roads that have been damaged following the recent flooding in the province.
He needs to have a committee established that is in constant contact with SANRAL, TRAC and the municipal managers and mayors of every municipality to get an update on the roads that fall within their jurisdiction to allow for immediate attention to these roads to eliminate further damage, urgently fix the R536 so that jobs and the Mpumalanga Tourism Sector can be saved.