A daily battle with traffic congestion on one of Mthatha’s busiest roads has left scores of motorists and business people seeing red.
Zanemali Road, which connects several residential suburbs such as Southernwood, Kuyasa and Zimbane Valley and the industrial area Vulindlela Heights to the city centre, is currently undergoing major renovations.
He said that they watered the road during the day to suppress dust and did actual upgrades during the night.
Carl Beneke, who manages a business on the route, said they had to spray water on their machinery every morning due to the dust thrown up by vehicles using the road.
“This situation is costing our business because now, since the renovations started, it sometimes takes up to an hour just to travel this route,” he added.
Kuyasa resident and UDM councillor Wandile Tsipa said the road had been dug up more than a month ago.
“What makes it worse is that they pour water on it, forcing us to drive in mud.
“They know it’s one of the busiest roads,” said Tsipa.
OR Tambo District Municipality spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa said the contractor had encountered “unsuitable material” during milling, which necessitated soil tests to be conducted before work could proceed.
He said this had delayed the actual construction work for 10 days.
Lungisa said the contractor had been given four months to complete the project, which would cost about R9.7-million.
“Work takes place at night so as to avoid traffic congestion during the day.” — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Roadworks driving motorists mad
Zanemali Road, which connects several residential suburbs such as Southernwood, Kuyasa and Zimbane Valley and the industrial area Vulindlela Heights to the city centre, is currently undergoing major renovations.
He said that they watered the road during the day to suppress dust and did actual upgrades during the night.
Carl Beneke, who manages a business on the route, said they had to spray water on their machinery every morning due to the dust thrown up by vehicles using the road.
“This situation is costing our business because now, since the renovations started, it sometimes takes up to an hour just to travel this route,” he added.
Kuyasa resident and UDM councillor Wandile Tsipa said the road had been dug up more than a month ago.
“What makes it worse is that they pour water on it, forcing us to drive in mud.
“They know it’s one of the busiest roads,” said Tsipa.
OR Tambo District Municipality spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa said the contractor had encountered “unsuitable material” during milling, which necessitated soil tests to be conducted before work could proceed.
He said this had delayed the actual construction work for 10 days.
Lungisa said the contractor had been given four months to complete the project, which would cost about R9.7-million.
“Work takes place at night so as to avoid traffic congestion during the day.” — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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