03 Dec 2020

North East District councilors have complained about simultaneous excavation of both shoulders of the Mulambakwena- Ramokgwebana road.

Speaking during a full council sitting on December 2, Councilor Smarts Mathonsi of Tshesebe ward stated that the road, which was undergoing resealing to extend shoulders, had become a nightmare because it had been dug on both sides.

He said the road was narrow hence trimming it on both sides simultaneously could cause accidents.

Councillor Mathonsi asked the Ministry of Transport and Communications why the contractor had decided to close a detour road that motorists used  when the project commenced in August.

Specially elected councillor, Mr Edwin Kgosiemang, suggested that the contractor should work in phases so as to complete a small portion of the road then move to the next quota rather than excavate the entire road stretch from Mulambakwena to Ramokgwebana.

He further asked for an explanation as to why there were delays for the contractor to source gravel, adding that during the ground breaking ceremony of the road in June, it was stated that the contractor had been given three months graze period for planning and logistics.

Councillor Kgosiemang reiterated that with the current state of the road, it was likely to cause accidents considering that the Christmas holidays were approaching with a high volume of traffic expected. 

 In his response, chief roads engineer in the North-East region, Mr Prince Moalosi stated that the contractor dug trenches on both sides of the road being aware that the motorists would use the diversion.

 However, he said due to the current rain situation, it became impossible for motorists to use the detour because it got depleted by the rains.

Mr Moalosi stated that the ministry was in discussion with C.D.K contractors to work on one side of the road rather than excavating both shoulders at a go.

He highlighted that going forward, the contractor would dig one shoulder, complete it then direct traffic to the completed side so that he could work on the other side.

The engineer said the delays for sourcing of gravel were due to the fact that the Department of Mines denied the contractor a prospective license for access to Zwenshambe burrow pit due to its proximity to the main road. However he stated that the contractor managed to source gravel from a private source while they waited for a license to an alternative burrow pit in Moroka village.

Mr Moalosi indicated that the Department of Mines finally issued the license for the Zwenshambe burrow pit recently; adding that land board issued surface rights to the burrow pit. 

He highlighted that the road progress was expected to speed up now that the contractor was awarded the mining license in Zwenshambe which is closer to the road project. Ends