More than 500 potholes on one kilometre stretch of KZN road

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11-06-2025
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Zululand Observer
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Urgent call for provincial government to repair pothole-riddled R69 road linking Vryheid, Louwsburg and Pongola

KZN’s R69 linking Vryheid, Louwsburg and Pongola has been described as a death trap, reportedly with more than 500 potholes littering just one kilometre of the road.

According to DA KZN Spokesperson on Transport Riona Gokool, the party demands immediate intervention from the provincial Department of Transport (DoT) for the alleged awarding of contracts to underqualified, politically connected entities.

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“The corridor, vital for regional connectivity and economic activity, has deteriorated to such an extent that it now poses a daily threat to lives and livelihoods,” said Gokool.

“A trip between the three towns that should take just over an hour now drags on for some two hours owing to the horrific state of the road. According to residents, in some stretches there are more than 500 potholes in a single kilometre, making it virtually impassable. This is not just an inconvenience; it is a public safety emergency,” she said.

Gokool said, motorists daily fall victim to broken chassis, flat tyres, overturned vehicles and even head-on collisions, which have now become the norm.

“Numerous people have been seriously injured due to the appalling conditions. In misty weather, typical of the Louwsburg area, the danger is amplified, turning this route into a death trap.

“For the past two years, community members have submitted monthly complaints to the DoT in Vryheid. Despite this, the department has failed to act decisively or transparently,” added Gokool.

Rehabilitation

In the Parliament response to questions by the DA, dated 5 May, the DoT revealed that the upgrade of this route forms part of the rehabilitation project for Provincial Road P46-2, specifically from kilometre marker 16.00 to 45.00.

“A contract for this rehabilitation work has already been awarded, and the appointed contractor is in the process of fulfilling pre-construction contractual obligations. Site establishment is expected to commence once these preparatory activities are concluded,” said the DoT.

Furthermore, the department said, while full-scale construction has not yet begun, interim maintenance activities are being implemented.

“A zonal contract covering the Vryheid area office has been awarded, which includes the maintenance of roads through blacktop patching. Scheduled patching activities on the P46 are set to begin by the end of April.

“In addition, the department is in the process of procuring blacktop materials to enable internal maintenance teams to conduct accelerated pothole repair operations along the P46. These efforts are aimed at preserving the condition of the road and minimising hazards while preparations for full rehabilitation continue,” said the DoT.

To mitigate the effects of the road’s deteriorated condition and reduce the risk of accidents, the department said it has activated both contracted and internal maintenance interventions.

“Under the zonal maintenance contract for the Vryheid area office, blacktop patching is scheduled to commence by the end of April 2025 on P46. In parallel, internal maintenance teams are being supported with additional procurement of blacktop materials to fast-track pothole repairs.

“These short-term interventions are part of the department’s broader commitment to maintaining road safety and usability along the P46 until the rehabilitation contractor becomes fully operational on site,” added the DoT.

However, the DA now demands that KZN’s Transport Portfolio Committee conducts an oversight inspection of the R69 and a full report on the status of this road be tabled at the next committee meeting, together with a comprehensive plan including budgets and timelines for its full rehabilitation.

“Fixing the R69 is not a luxury, it is a lifesaving necessity. Residents can no longer risk their lives on a road that has been allowed to crumble to ruin. As part of KZN’s GPU, the DA will continue to push for proper road networks for the people of our province,” said Gokool.