07 Feb 2016

Technical interventions have begun to correct the anomaly on a road section around Hatsalatladi about 30 kilometres along Molepolole- Lephepe road.

A press release from the Ministry of Transport and Communications says in November 2015, the ministry, through roads department, warned the public that following the start of rains, the ground in and around Hatsalatladi developed cracks which also appeared on the road section around the village.

As a result, the release says 300 metres of Lephepe bound lane in Hatsalatladi were forced to close for traffic with only one lane operational at the road section.

It also says the whole road section of approximately 300 metres has been shut down completely from use and a by-pass has since been constructed to guide traffic through. 

That, the release says, is contrary to social media posts which have been making rounds that the road is being used by traffic despite the danger it poses. It further states that it has been established that cracks were caused by natural elements of seismic activity underground; a phenomenon that is beyond any human control.

Therefore, as a precautionary measure, it says, the roads department will maintain the damaged section through a reseal project from Molepolole to Lephepe using high-tech engineering that will ensure the safety of the road.

Further, it states that procurement for the reseal job is undergoing and is expected to begin sometime in June this year. 

Meanwhile, the public is cautioned once again to use the provided by-pass and obey road signs until the situation is normalised. Ends