KOUGA – Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman has called for urgent intervention from the Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Xolile Nqatha, over the worsening condition of several key provincial roads in the Kouga region.

In a formal letter dated 24 March, Bornman raised serious concerns about road safety and the lack of maintenance on major routes, warning that the situation poses a direct threat to residents.

Of particular concern are the R330 between Cape St Francis and Humansdorp, the R102 between Mondplaas and Humansdorp, the gravel R332 between Zwartenbosch Quarry and Patensie, and the R331 between Thornhill and Patensie.

“These routes are critical to the mobility, safety, and economic activity of our communities, yet they are currently in a state that requires immediate attention,” said Bornman.

He further said that the condition of these roads has reached a critical point, with increasing reports of accidents linked to potholes and damaged road surfaces.

“We are increasingly receiving reports of accidents, many of which can be attributed to the severe deterioration of road surfaces and the prevalence of potholes,” said Bornman.

“This is deeply concerning, as it places the lives of motorists, passengers, and pedestrians at risk on a daily basis.”

He further highlighted that in many areas, roads are barely navigable, forcing motorists to take dangerous evasive action or come to sudden stops, increasing the likelihood of collisions.

“The safety of our residents cannot be compromised any further,” said Bornman.

He also raised concerns about the impact on rural communities, noting that poorly maintained gravel roads are limiting access to essential services such as healthcare, education and emergency response.

Among the requests made to Nqatha’s office are the prioritisation of repairs and resurfacing of affected roads, the implementation of an accelerated pothole repair programme, urgent grading of gravel roads, and the provision of clear timelines for intervention.

“The current state of these roads is not only unsustainable but also dangerous. We urge your office to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves to prevent further accidents and to protect the lives of our residents,” said Bornman.

Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said that the Eastern Cape Department of Transport cannot confirm the receipt of correspondence from Bornman addressed to Nqatha.

However, he said that once it arrives, it will be given the necessary attention.

Binqose said that the Department acknowledges the strategic importance of the R330, R102, R332, and R331 routes in the Kouga area.

He said that these routes form part of a broader provincial road network that is continuously monitored and maintained within available resources.

“A preliminary internal assessment confirms that sections of these roads, particularly gravel segments and high-traffic corridors, require varying levels of maintenance, ranging from routine pothole patching to more extensive rehabilitation in certain areas,” said Binqose.

With regard to accidents, he said that road safety is influenced by multiple factors, including driver behaviour, vehicle condition, and environmental conditions.

Binqose further said that while road conditions may contribute in some instances, a detailed, verified breakdown specific to these routes over the past 12 months is not readily available.

On the issue of maintenance backlog, including pothole repairs, he said that the Department operates under a scheduled maintenance programme informed by condition assessments, traffic volumes, and available budget allocations.

“The exact number of outstanding pothole repairs in Kouga is currently being verified through our district teams,” said Binqose.

He said that the Department has already prioritised critical maintenance interventions across the province, including in the Kouga area, and will incorporate the identified routes into ongoing and upcoming maintenance plans.

Binqose said that timeframes will be guided by the scope of work required, procurement processes, and budget availability.

“Like many infrastructure authorities, the Department faces challenges that include budget limitations, ageing road infrastructure, increasing traffic volumes, and the impact of adverse weather conditions, all of which contribute to maintenance backlogs,” said Binqose.

He said that budget constraints play a role in the pace at which large-scale rehabilitation projects can be implemented.

However, Binqose said that the Department continues to reprioritise resources to address the most critical safety concerns.

“The Department is aware of the role that road infrastructure plays in enabling access to healthcare, education and emergency services, particularly in rural communities.

“This remains a key consideration in prioritising maintenance and upgrade programmes,” said Binqose.

He further said that routine inspections are conducted periodically across the provincial road network, with frequency determined by road classification and usage levels.

In the interim, Binqose said that the Department will continue to implement temporary safety measures where necessary, such as deployment of traffic law enforcement to enhance road safety visibility.

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