‘SURELY someone is accountable and responsible for the damage to our tyres, even though the manufacturers and retailers must be happy with the increase in sales.’
Sias van Schalkwyk says his daily trip to work in Alton, Richards Bay, has become a game of ‘dodgems’ – and the Zululand community appears to be fed up with the state of their roads and infrastructure.
‘The roads are so full of potholes and they grow bigger and bigger every time a truck passes through them,’ said Van Schalkwyk.
And he’s not the only one unhappy with the sorry state of affairs.
We asked our readers what their neighborhoods looked like, and the message was clear: ‘We’ve had enough of the lack of service delivery.’
Unhappy
‘Having lived in Richards Bay for 25 years, it is sad to see the very overgrown pedestrian pathways,’ said Jenny Freese.
‘I walk every morning and am forced to walk in the road many times as the greenbelt foliage, grass and sand now cover the pathways.
‘These pedestrian paths are used by school children, the elderly, dog walkers and excise enthusiasts.
‘Another very sad issue is the state of our public parks,’ she said.
‘My children grew up playing in the park on the corner of Essenwood way and Figures Forest. All that remains is rusted chains, broken swings, a rusted slide and the see-saw is missing.
‘The swing poles are rusted at ground level and are an accident waiting to happen.
Carol Anne Kellerman said that there is a complete lack of grass cutting in the city.
‘Overgrown grass is everywhere. What has happened to the grass cutting services in the city?’
Empangeni resident Steven Whittaker says for the amount residents are charged for in rates, they should not accept the unkempt situation.
‘It’s just getting worse and worse,’ he said.
‘No care is taken and it seems that we continue to get rates increases, but less services for our money.
‘Our vehicles are damaged and our families put at risk as new holes appear each week that goes by.
‘The grass gets higher and our town looks worse. It creates hideaways for criminals and looks terrible.
‘The grass in my area has not been cut since December, and you can’t see traffic around the corners in some places.
‘It’s embarrassing. The traffic intersections and drains are not cleaned and the green belts are not cleared.
Sue Motzouris agreed.
‘It’s quite appalling how rundown and disgusting Empangeni has become. No one cares anymore,’ she said.
‘The Civic Centre is a prime example of the mindset the people running this town have. What happened to the ‘cleanest town’ in Zululand accolade?’
Richards Bay businessman Paul Pereirra is not happy with the manner in which the town leaders are promoting themselves.
‘Seems the mayor and his deputies are very proud of themselves, spending ratepayer money plastering huge self portraits at the entrance of town,’ he said.
‘Obviously they are happy with the way the town looks. Is self-fulfillment better then serving their voters?’
Justin Whittaker said his 4km commute from home to office includes no fewer than 20 potholes in Empangeni.
‘People must think you are drunk as you constantly dodge the holes,’ he said.
‘We even had new speed bumps put up recently, but not even 10m away are two potholes that weren’t filled in!’
Zululand stalwart Graham Patterson, business owner and church leader, says that he is particularly disturbed at the state of Durnford Road, a double-lane highway that leads to Empangeni’s industrial hub, and Ngwelezana suburbs.
‘The potholes in Durnford Road opposite the park are so big that you will lose a wheel if you drive into it,’ he said.
‘As for the long grass, it’s ridiculous!’
City comment
Our request for official comment about the situation was met with a brief written response from City spokesman, Mdu Ncalane.
‘The City has a permanent programme to fix potholes.
‘When it rains like it did a few weeks ago, we see a plethora of potholes mushrooming due to the ageing of our roads infrastructure.
‘Some of the roads are maintained at provincial level and some by the city, and we will continue to urge drivers to change behaviour when it’s raining as it is not easy to see potholes, especially during the night.’
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