Parliament, Friday, 22 April 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Transport is concerned by what it witnessed on the road infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.
The committee undertook an oversight visit to the regions of uThukela and Okhahlamba where it witnessed a potential danger the damaged road infrastructure is posing to the people.
The acting Chairperson of the committee, Mr Lawrence McDonald, said the roads in the area of Bergville have become a serious danger and that the committee won’t be surprised if a major accident is reported. “The situation is worrisome especially that the impact is not only about the roads but has brought lives to a standstill. Businesses are closing, ” said Mr McDonald.
On Friday, the committee visited a number of the roads that were affected by the recent floods as well as the lack of maintenance. On the famous R74, a number of sinkholes that affected the road partially or entirely were witnessed. A collapsed bridge has resulted in the closure of R74 near Mazizini in Bergville.
Mr McDonald said it was unfortunate that accounting officers and political heads did not show up to answer to questions of the committee. “As a result the committee shall consider recommending in its report, that these officials be summoned to Parliament on their own pockets.”
Furthermore, Mr McDonald said: “The committee finds it unacceptable that such a serious and sad situation as KZN floods, that has affected so many of our people and continues to do so, officials and political heads in the province can just be quiet as if nothing happened.”.
The committee held two community meetings in (Mazizini and Winterton) where it wanted to understand the impact of the destruction of roads from the affected parties.
“Government must spare no effort in trying to help these affected communities. It is so sad when people of KwaZulu-Natal see developments elsewhere and still be asking what about us in a democracy,”
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, MR LAWRENCE MCDONALD.
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