By Thabo Monyela
BOLOBEDU SOUTH – The MEC of Public works, Dickson Masemola visited Modjadji Royal Authority on Friday, December 10, to discuss the developments of roads at Ga-Modjadji including the maintenance of Morutji to Keopeng D3184 road.
The MEC’s visit was honoured by the Greater Letaba Municipality Mayor Peter Matlou, Regent Mpapatla Modjadji, MMC Mthonsi and other councillors from various municipalities. Masemola’s visit came after some councillors of both Greater Tzaneen and Letaba Municipalities, such as Leon Matita have been vocal enough about the development of roads in Ga-Modjadji. On his address, The MEC promised those who were in attendance that the office of public works will prioritise the construction of roads around the district and that includes the Morutji to Keopeng road. His office further announced that D11 in Mamaila Kolobetona Village in Sekgosese and D3150 of Mohlabaneng roads will be reconstructed from January 2021 and the constructor is already appointed. The MEC further said Mmaphakati to Mokwakwaila road will also form part of the department’s immediate projects.
Tzaneen voice had an interview with Ward 7 Councilor of Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Leon Matita regarding the MEC’s visit.
The roads condition in most parts of the rural villages of Tzaneen are dilapidated and require serious intervention from both the municipalities and provincial departments of Public works. When heavy rains come, people find it difficult to get to their workplaces and children struggle to access their schools and also services rendered to the community such as bakeries get disturbed. On Thursday, December 09, the Chief director of construction was assessing the Deer park to Tarental road and announced that they would fix the potholes as soon as Monday the December 14.
The contractor for the reconstruction of the D3184 road that runs from Morutji to Keopeng has been appointed with the alleged budget of R8.1 million and the project was due to commence on Monday, December 14.
” The MEC’s visit was timely and blessing to the residents of Bolobedu South and the whole areas of Tzaneen, now he is aware of the need to address our roads challenges such as Mmaphakati to Mokwakwaila road, Deer Park to Tarentaal road and Mandlakazi road that is not yet constructed,” Cllr Leon Matita said.
This group of Councillors invited the office of the public works without the mandate of the council of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality on D3184 road. ” the municipality of GTM, has shown on various occasions in failing to step to the occasion in dealing with the issues which residents of Tzaneen are facing ” Matita further said.
“Ours was not only to invite the MEC on D3150 road but for the entire district, we are very much happy that the MEC has displayed leadership and humbleness towards our grievances, ” he said
