Rustenburg residents bypass municipality to fix crumbling roads

Some residents in Rustenburg are taking matters into their own hands, repairing damaged roads and infrastructure after years of inaction by the municipality.
 
Whether it’s cutting grass, fixing broken roads, or clearing waste, communities have been forced to handle these tasks themselves.
 
With the African National Congresss (ANC)’s top leadership celebrating its January 8 anniversary in the North West, EWN spoke to communities in the province, considered one of the party’s strongholds.
  
It has been more than three years since heavy rains damaged a low-lying bridge on Pendoring Avenue in Gelhoutpart, Rustenburg.

Resident Hans Meier said locals have been patching it with sand and stones for vehicles to pass.
 
“But unfortunately, the sand and stones just get washed away. People come here unaware that there’s about a half-meter dip. A car got stuck here during the last rain. They can’t see where the road is. I suppose they shouldn’t drive here, but they do, and their cars get stuck and damaged. We get no real response at all from the municipality.”
 
Another resident, Sidney Verhoog, said he feels he is not getting value for the taxes and rates he pays.
 
“It’s costing residents a lot of money. I know people who give R20, R30, and when I come past here, I give them R20. My daughter also gives money. They’re just trying to earn a living, but it’s unfair on residents to support people who are doing the job of the municipality.”
 
Ward councillor Johan Cronje said he has made multiple requests to the Rustenburg Local Municipality to fix the bridge, but nothing has been done.

“To date, nothing has happened, no one is coming forward despite requests for progress, and the entire matter has died a slow and quiet death on the part of the municipality,” said Cronje.

“From my own work, I've established that the bridge will require raising by quite a margin as the flooding has progressively gotten worse due to higher rainfall year on year, and the drainage of stormwater into the Dorpspruit from higher lying areas.