MEC launches pothole patching programme

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13-05-2022
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Rising Sun Chatsworth
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Operation Vala’ma-Pothole will see the department utilising internal teams, material, equipment and personnel to focus on strategic roads that have potholes.

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, launched a massive pothole patching programme that seeks to improve the provincial road network, on Monday.

The launch of the programme, dubbed Operation Vala’ma-Pothole, is a direct response to the commitment made by MEC Nkonyeni in her budget speech where she committed to launch a programme to eliminate potholes in the province.

Operation Vala’ma-Pothole will see the department utilising internal teams, material, equipment and personnel to focus on strategic roads that have potholes. This will see many young people employed, engaged and participating under the Vukayibambe Routine Road Maintenance Programme.

This programme was launched on main road P242 linking Amanzimtoti, KwaMakhutha and Adams Mission, which is a road plagued by potholes.

The department has already invested in highly equipped vehicles that prepare the material to be used in patching potholes. The goal is to ensure that potholes are attended to within 24 hours.

The recent torrential rains have caused further damage in the provincial network and most roads have reached their lifespan. Most of these roads have reached 25 years of existence and they are now due for routine maintenance. More than 1, 369 projects were affected by floods at an estimated value of R5, 6 billion.

MEC Nkonyeni said this programme will reduce challenges in roads where people are experiencing problems because of potholes.

“We know that because of potholes there are delays in travelling hours, there is high traffic congestions and more accidents. Through the launch of Operation Vala’ma-Pothole, we want to turn the situation around. We are however aware that most roads were damaged by recent floods but ours is to make them drivable and improve the condition of our network. This programme will be rolled-out in all districts targeting strategic roads that have historical failures,” said Nkonyeni.

Last week, MEC Nkonyeni tabled before the Provincial Legislature a budget of R12, 4 billion rand for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport.

More than R8, 9 billion will be invested to the maintenance and construction of road infrastructure. The allocation of R4, 2 billion is allocated to the maintenance of provincial roads. The department is also investing in technology that will detect potholes, cracks and other failures on the roads.

As part of the plan in the financial year, the department will rehabilitate more than 1800000 square metres of tarred roads.

The department also plans to work with municipalities in addressing the condition of the provincial road network with a view of improving it.