Slow progress raises concerns as motorists continue to battle hazardous R708

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23-07-2026
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NovaNews
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MARQUARD – Concerns are mounting over the pace of rehabilitation work on the R708 between Marquard and Clocolan, as residents, farmers and businesses continue to contend with one of the Free State’s most deteriorated regional roads.

The 24-kilometre section forms part of the R708, an important regional route linking Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape with Clocolan in the eastern Free State via Christiana, Hertzogville, Bultfontein, Theunissen, Winburg and Marquard. The road is widely used by commuters, heavy freight vehicles and the agricultural sector.

A recent oversight visit by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Setsoto found that construction work appears to be progressing slowly. According to the party, only a limited number of workers were observed on site, prompting questions about whether sufficient resources have been allocated to complete the project within the expected timeframe.

[Concerns are mounting over the pace of rehabilitation on the R708 between Marquard and Clocolan.]
Concerns are mounting over the pace of rehabilitation work on the R708 between Marquard and Clocolan.

The DA also noted reports that the project’s resident engineer had resigned from the contracting company. Although the circumstances surrounding the reported resignation have not been confirmed, the development has raised concerns about project continuity and site management.

However, for many road users, the greatest concern remains the condition of the road itself.

Motorists describe the route as extremely hazardous, with large sections of asphalt having deteriorated completely. In several places, drivers are forced onto the gravel shoulder or alongside the road to avoid deep potholes and broken tar.

Loose gravel and soil cover parts of the roadway, while heavy dust generated by passing vehicles frequently reduces visibility. The danger is compounded by heavy trucks transporting agricultural produce, which can dislodge stones and debris, increasing the risk of vehicle damage and collisions.

The poor road surface has also resulted in longer travel times and increased vehicle maintenance costs for daily commuters, transport operators and farmers who rely on the route to move goods between towns and to local silos.

[The rehabilitation follows years of complaints about the deteriorating condition of the road.]
The rehabilitation project follows years of complaints from residents and businesses about the deteriorating condition of the road

The rehabilitation project follows years of complaints from residents and businesses about the deteriorating condition of the road. Community frustration previously culminated in protests calling for urgent intervention after repeated delays to maintenance work.

The DA has indicated that it will submit questions to the Free State Legislature seeking clarity on several aspects of the project, including whether construction remains on schedule, the reasons for the apparent slow progress, the amount already spent on the project, the frequency of project oversight, and what measures are in place to prevent further delays.

While these questions await official responses, road users continue to face daily challenges on a route regarded as a critical transport and economic corridor for the Setsoto area.

Residents and motorists hope rehabilitation work will accelerate to improve safety, restore reliable access between Marquard and Clocolan, and support the agricultural and commercial activities that depend on the R708.