Maja-Chuene residents demand road upgrades ahead of Ramathuba’s SOPA

Tags

---

27-02-2025
Read : 48 times
SABC News
Source

Residents of Maja-Chuene, outside Polokwane in Limpopo, have expressed frustration over the poor condition of the arterial gravel roads connecting their village to the city.

Taxi drivers say the road has not been prioritised in government plans, making daily travel difficult. Their concerns come as Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba is set to deliver her first State of the Province Address (SOPA) today.

A resident says, “We want the Premier to focus on solutions for the poor road conditions. We cannot drive into this road to town; the roads become easily flooded. There is no proper road to access places like Polokwane. The road was built but not completed, and it is a big challenge in our community. The road is in a bad state, and we hope the premier outlines areas like ours.”

Taxi operators say the poor road conditions are affecting their business.

“We are seeking help. We hope that the poor road in our village can be outlined. We work as taxi drivers and ferry commuters to parts of Polokwane, but our vehicles end up getting damaged, and we incur financial losses. We are still paying long-term loans for our taxis,” says one driver.

The Limpopo Department of Public Works has attributed poor road conditions in some areas to recent heavy rainfall and flooding.

Department spokesperson Emmanuel Mongwe says, “As a rural province, we have at least 13 000 kilometres of gravel roads, and to tar these roads, the province will need at least R160 billion, which we do not have. We are committed to delivering drivable roads to the people of Limpopo.”