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The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit a PAIA Application to the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, and all other entities involved, with a request for a breakdown of the procedures followed, tender applications, the costs and scope of work on these contracts on all work done on the R33 road.

During an oversight visit earlier this week we travelled on the R33 from Groblersdal to Stofberg in Limpopo, which was nothing short of terrifying.

The huge potholes are a major problem, but when the tar just simply disappears and exposes massive holes, ditches and eroded soil, the situation becomes  life threatening. A couple of kilometres later, the tar almost magically reappears and then disappears again.

The R33 is a major road used by mining vehicles, large delivery trucks and taxis who ferry stock and people between Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Despite the horrific condition of the road, they overtake each other and veer all over the road in order to avoid the holes. Lives will be lost on this road.

More disturbing is information received by the DA that in the last few years, contractors have been paid in excess of R60 million to repair and maintain the R33. The last contractor, who was apparently appointed before the Scope of Work was even finalised, has allegedly been paid in full. What the contactor was actually paid for is a mystery.

Furthermore, the DA will request the Auditor-General to conduct a full investigation into the tenders and procedures followed with regards to the work on the R33.

If necessary, the DA will ask the Special Investigation Unit to investigate the matter.

The DA can turn a corrupt poorly run ANC municipality into a well-run DA one if we get just a few more votes. And we want to do this in your town.

Issued by The DA Political Head for Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, Lindy Wilson