Government clashes with residents for fixing potholes

 

BAD ROADS: Potholes have become a menace as many motorists are losing tyres. Now residents have decided to fix them

A group of Gabane men who have volunteered to offer a helping hand to members of the community find themselves clashing with government over illegal fixing of potholes in Gabane.

After heavy rains swept away some tarred roads in the village, a group of young men took it upon themselves to fix the potholes the best way they see fit because people’s vehicles were getting damaged on a daily basis.

For the past few days, they have been busy at work, mixing what seems like cement and sand then going on to patch areas that were badly affected.

Although they did all this in good faith, the District Council is not happy at the work describing it as disaster waiting to happen.

An officer who identified himself as a road engineer told the Gabane men that if they continue fixing potholes in the manner they did, he will have no choice but to involve the police because what they are doing is illegal.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Tshepiso Rantuana said that council always takes long to attend to potholes and that is why they took the decision to fix the problem.

“When we start fixing, they come and say they were planning to come that day, then say they will come the next day. They never show up, we are not fighting government but the more they delay, the more it gets frustrating for drivers,” he said.

Reached for comment, Mogoditshane/Thamaga District Council Secretary Losika Mosarwa said the reason there always seems to be delays is because they attend to road problems all over the district.

They do not focus on one road but the whole Mogoditshane/Thamaga area. “We have to balance, we cannot be seen to be fixing potholes only at Gabane all the time. We deal with all until the time comes for us to attend to Gabane again,' he said.

Adding, “We believe them fixing the potholes is because they are impatient but we worry that the material that they might be using might cause more harm than good in future. This is why we advise that at least they should involve us. What they are doing is indeed illegal,” he said.

Mosarwa said he will make an effort to meet with the concerned group to map the way forward with it.