‘Dangerous’ road cost one South African province R10 million per km

The roughly 40km stretch of R76 road between Kroonstad and Steynsrus in the Free State has cost taxpayers R400 million – around R10 million per km – to repair, but remains in dangerous condition.

As a result, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Jabu Mbalula, to address the situation.

It expressed concern that the road was reportedly constructed or substantially rehabilitated only a few months ago, yet remains in poor condition.

“Despite the relatively recent construction work, the road’s current condition does not appear to reflect the standard residents and road users should reasonably expect from a recently constructed or rehabilitated provincial road,” said the DA.

“The road’s deterioration, including dangerous sections and conditions that may compromise motorists’ safety, has effectively turned parts of the R76 into a life-threatening hazard.”

The party said motorists travelling between Kroonstad, Steynsrus, and surrounding communities face unnecessary risks daily.

Concerns about the road include serious motor vehicle accidents, loss of life and serious injuries, vehicle damage, increased travel times and transport costs, unsafe conditions overall, as well as further deterioration.

To combat these issues, the party called on the province to dispatch the relevant technical officials and road engineers to inspect the R76, particularly the sections between Kroonstad and Steynsrus.

It also requested investigations into the contractor responsible, the project’s scope and specifications, and the quality of the construction materials and workmanship.

The DA questioned whether the road was properly certified before being handed over, whether it remains under any construction or defects liability period, and whether the contractor will rectify any defects at no additional cost to the public.

“We further call for immediate temporary measures, including appropriate warning signs, road markings, speed-control measures and urgent repairs where necessary, while a comprehensive technical assessment is undertaken,” it added.

R400 million and 7 years later

According to the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), repairs have been ongoing for more than seven years, costing taxpayers more than R400 million during that time.

Despite this, the party argued that the road surface is still not properly fixed, and sections are already starting to crumble again.

Earlier this year, the Free State Legislature’s joint Portfolio Committees on Public Accounts and Finance and Public Works, Infrastructure, Roads, Transport and Human Settlements conducted an oversight visit to monitor the project’s progress and quality.

“Repairs to the R76 started in 2019 and were originally supposed to be completed in 2022. After years of delays and maladministration, the project remains incomplete,” said the FF Plus.

Initially, the approximately R271 million contract was awarded to the contractor Sedtrade, which became mired in controversy after the work dragged on and the road surface began to crumble.

By 2023, the R76 road project came to a standstill in 2023 as a result of disputes between the contractor and the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport.

Since then, a new approximately R146 million contract was awarded to a new contractor, pushing the total cost of the project beyond R400 million.

Despite this, residents and motorists are still contending with a dangerous and poor-quality road.

The party referred the matter to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in 2023, demanding answers about the squandering of taxpayers’ money, poor contract management and lack of accountability.

“The mismanagement of this project forced farmers and residents to shell out and pay for temporary repairs to the worst potholes, while the government wasted hundreds of millions on the same road,” said the FF Plus.

“It is an absolute disgrace that communities themselves have to try and keep critical infrastructure functional, while maladministration and corruption are literally eroding the Free State’s roads.”