The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga calls on Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC, Thulasizwe Thomo, and Premier Mandla Ndlovu, to take responsibility after another life was lost during an accident on the R36 Provincial Road in Mashishing (Lydenburg).
On Wednesday evening, a Lydenburg (Mashishing) resident tragically lost his life on the R36 due to the poor state of the road. For a number of years and countless engagements with the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, the DA has tried unsuccessfully to get the provincial government to intervene and make sure that the resealing of the R36 is completed in time.
The project started in June 2022, and was scheduled to be finished by December on that year. It has not been finished so far, and has caused a number of accidents and business disruptions.
On 23 November 2023, the DA addressed a letter to then MEC of Public Works, Roads & Transport, Mandla Ndlovu, who is now the current Premier of Mpumalanga, putting out in no uncertain terms the dilapidated state of the R36, and how the resealing delay was negatively affecting motorists and businesses. Again, on 2 September 2024, the DA wrote another letter to Thulasizwe Thomo, the new MEC of Public Works, Roads & Transport, requesting a meeting with him to address the issue of the R36 and other roads in Dullstroom and Mashishing. But we have not heard anything from the MEC yet, and now a person has tragically lost his life on that road last night.
This unfortunate tragic loss of life could have been avoided if the road was finished by December 2022 as it was initially scheduled. This incident highlights the critical state of this road, which has been under construction for an extended period, posing significant risks to motorists and pedestrians alike. MEC Thomo and Premier Ndlovu now have blood on their hands for not finishing this road and it was scheduled.
The DA would like would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and calls upon both the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and the National Government to intervene immediately to hasten the completion of the R36 project.
Delays in road construction have not only disrupted transportation but have now led to the irreversible loss of life. This is however not the first incident of an accident, of which there have been numerous, but it is the second where a life has been lost. The continued delays in completing the R36 have created unsafe conditions for residents.
The DA urgently requests both provincial and national authorities to prioritize the completion of this vital infrastructure. The R36 is a major artery that connects several communities and is essential for the economic development of the region. However, ongoing construction, unmarked detours, and hazardous road conditions have made it increasingly dangerous for the public to travel on. Immediate action is needed to prevent further accidents and to safeguard the lives of our residents.
We are calling on the provincial and national governments to allocate the necessary resources and fast-track the completion of this project, and ensure that no more delays will be forthcoming, to eradicate the loss of more livers
In addition to road safety concerns, the incomplete road has impacted local businesses, emergency services, and daily commuting, causing disruptions that affect the entire community.
We ask for the full support of all stakeholders in addressing this urgent matter. Our priority is the safety and well-being of our citizens, and we will not rest until this issue is resolved.