Walter Sisulu Municipality’s only grader out of service for six months, DA claims.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised concerns over deteriorating gravel roads in Walter Sisulu Local Municipality, claiming that the municipality’s only grader has been standing in a workshop for six months.

According to DA mayoral candidate Cllr Matthee Nel, the municipality has been left without a functioning grader to maintain more than 228 kilometres of unpaved roads across Burgersdorp, Venterstad, Oviston, Steynsburg, Aliwal North and Jamestown.

Nel said poor road conditions were affecting residents travelling to work, schools and clinics, while also damaging vehicles and increasing transport costs.

He said the municipality’s road-maintenance fleet consists of only two Tractor Loader Backhoes (TLBs) and one grader.

The DA’s Shadow MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Vicky Knoetze, has written to Eastern Cape COGTA MEC Zolile Williams requesting urgent provincial assistance.

The party wants temporary access to a working grader, additional equipment and operators, and a clear deadline for repairing or replacing the municipality’s grader.

Nel also called for a funded road-maintenance programme and greater accountability over the municipality’s equipment.

The claims have not been independently verified, and Walter Sisulu Local Municipality’s response had not been obtained at the time of writing.