Agri Northern Cape has formally called for an urgent provincial disaster declaration in response to the “unsustainable state of the province’s road network”.

The organisation reports that repeated flooding events and a lack of proper maintenance have left the infrastructure in a state of ongoing deterioration, placing an immense strain on farmers, rural communities, and the broader economy.

Since the end of the drought period in 2021–’22, the Northern Cape has faced multiple flooding incidents.

Janine Byleveld, a representative for Agri Northern Cape, says this has been exacerbated by above-average rainfall throughout 2025 and 2026, with the resulting damage now exceeding the current capacity and resources of the Department of Roads and Public Works.

A primary concern raised by Agri Northern Cape is the quality of road maintenance.

“The roads are often incorrectly bladed or shaped, causing road edges to be elevated. This creates dam-like conditions that trap water on the surface, accelerating the destruction of already vulnerable gravel roads.

“Without proper drainage design and maintenance, we are seeing the same roads being repaired repeatedly without addressing the root causes,” she says.

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She further noted that a disaster declaration would allow the province to access disaster management grant funding for more durable, long-term repairs.

Agri Northern Cape has committed to assisting authorities by identifying and prioritising the most severely affected roads to ensure that resources are directed where they are most needed.

“We stand ready to work with the relevant authorities to ensure that solutions implemented are both practical and sustainable,” the organisation added.

Many routes, bridges remain submerged

In a statement released Tuesday 5 May, the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works acknowledged the concerns, citing “persistent heavy rainfall” and “torrential rains” as the primary cause of the damage.

Zandisile Luphahla, spokesperson, says the John Taolo Gaetsewe and ZF Mgcawu Districts are currently the most severely impacted.

The MEC for Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong, has deployed technical teams to conduct assessments, though the department warned that many routes and bridges remain submerged, making a full evaluation difficult at this stage.

The department defended its current maintenance efforts, asserting that its blading schedules are yielding “positive results” and that all contractors are appointed according to national standards and monitored by departmental engineers.

Regarding the call for a provincial disaster declaration, the department stated that the matter remains “under consideration at a provincial level”.

While the government evaluates the request, the department is working with the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) to coordinate emergency response efforts.