ZFM Roads Forum puts district road challenges on the table
Road infrastructure and the ongoing maintenance of roads across the ZF Mgcawu District took centre stage during an engagement between the district’s newly established Roads Forum and the Northern Cape MEC for Roads and Public Works, Mr Bentley Vass. The forum, chaired by ZF Mgcawu District Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Maryna Basson, provided an opportunity for municipalities and other stakeholders to raise concerns relating to the state of roads and the impact of deteriorating infrastructure on communities and road users.
Among the key issues discussed was the province’s extensive gravel road network, which places considerable pressure on available maintenance resources. MEC Vass acknowledged the scale of the challenge, noting that although the Department has increased its Yellow Fleet capacity, the machinery currently available remains inadequate when measured against the size of the provincial road network. The availability of suitably qualified technical personnel was also identified as an area requiring attention, particularly given the demands associated with planning, monitoring and maintaining road infrastructure across the province. In response to concerns raised by the Forum, MEC Vass committed to undertaking oversight visits to a number of roads identified as problematic. The visits will allow the Department to assess the conditions on the ground and gain a clearer understanding of the challenges experienced by communities and motorists.
The meeting further considered the role of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), with the MEC explaining that the transfer of selected provincial roads to SANRAL is part of broader efforts to improve the management and maintenance of the road network. Another concern raised by the Forum was the performance of contractors appointed to undertake road projects. Members highlighted instances where contractors allegedly abandon projects before completion or fail to deliver work to the required standards.
MEC Vass stressed the importance of holding non-performing contractors accountable and ensuring that public resources are protected. He further encouraged members of the Forum to maintain close cooperation with the Department so that challenges can be escalated and addressed more effectively. The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to establish a stronger collaborative approach to road infrastructure management in the Northern Cape. Further engagements with the ZF Mgcawu District Roads Forum are expected, while MEC Vass has also expressed support for the establishment of similar structures in other parts of the province. The establishment of these forums is expected to strengthen communication between government, municipalities, stakeholders and road users, while creating a platform through which road infrastructure concerns can be identified, monitored and addressed
