Eish! New Bhede Road Already Falling Apart

A paving project in Mlungisi township’s Bhede location which started last year has left residents of Bhede hot under the collar. The residents are angry that the project has disrupted their lives due to poor workmanship.

In less than a month since its completion, the project has started deteriorating. According to residents, when it rains, the paving has dams of water which forces residents to dump huge rocks on the road in order to cross.

The paving is not finished and the spaces have since grown grass. Some of the bricks are not put in order and there is constant sewage overflow as the drains are blocked.

The speed bumps are huge and it is a struggle for small cars to drive over them. Concerned resident Lizalise Swaartbooi said the whole paving is a mess.

“I don’t know why they put those speed bumps there. They just did it for the sake of doing it,” he said. Swaartbooi said there are places where water stops and when it rains only one lane of the road can be used.

“People put huge rocks on the road as the water sticks on one side of the road. The draining system is just there but does not work,” he said. Another resident who wanted to remain anonymous said the paving is of poor quality.

“Both the one in Bhede and the one in Popcorn Vale are if poor quality. When it rains it is a nightmare and taxi drivers have decided to avoid the huge speed bumps on both paving,” he said.

He said both projects were just a way of channeling funds for those in power.

Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality spokesman Lonwabo Kowa said the work of the contractor is monitored by the consultant and the municipality.

“These defects were identified during physical visits. During the oversight visit, areas with defects and snags were also visited. They will all be resolved as the contractor is still on site,” he said.