The Eastern Cape government, through the Department of Transport, is set to commence the multimillion-rand Quenera Drive road upgrade this financial year. Local residents threatened to halt the project and embark on violent protest action if their demands are not addressed urgently.
The Quenera Drive project, which links Beacon Bay and Gonubie, is one of Buffalo City Metro’s major road upgrades, expected to create job opportunities for many unemployed youth in the poverty-stricken Mzamomhle township in Gonubie.
Delivering the province’s budget speech at the Bhisho Legislature on Tuesday, March 25, Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko confirmed that the Quenera Drive would begin in the 2025/2026 financial year, starting April 1.
“The Quenera road project has been receiving media attention lately and I am happy to announce that the work will start soon,” said Mvoko.
Buffalo City Metro Mayor Princess Faku and Council Speaker Humphrey Maxhegwana recently addressed hundreds of angry Mzamomhle residents, who had threatened to obstruct the project and stage violent protests. They demanded the removal of ward 27 councillor, Boy Boy Kalani from the project’s steering committee.
Faku managed to defuse tensions and encouraged residents to avoide dirupting traffic or blocking streets.
Residents have also insisted that the sod-turning ceremony for the project take place promptly and that the construction company awarded the contract be introduced to the community.
Faku acknowledged the validity of these concerns and promised the appointment of a social facilitator for the project.
“BCM will appoint a social facilitator to assist on fair processes in this project and a steering committee that involves people from both ward 27 and ward 28,” said Faku.
She explained that Quenera Drive is a provincial road and that BCM is collaborating with the provincial government on the project.
Resident Lwanda Nembe expressed optimism, noting that the meeting had successfully resolved community grievances.
