Sunday Tribune

Farmers fork out to fix rural roads

LETHU NXUMALO lethu.nxumalo@inl.co.za

KZN farmers have taken matters into their own hands by repairing a number of rural access roads within Creighton, in the Harry Gwala District and some in Mid-illovo near Richmond.

These roads were damaged and washed away during the April floods, which put constraints on rural livelihood. Many of the roads were left in a state of collapse and were blocked. In Mid-illovo, the main access to the community was cut off when a lowlevel bridge was completely submerged by the flooding.

Since the floods, KZN transport MEC Peggy Nkonyeni has prioritised the repair of major roads, bridges and infrastructural projects which will cost the province at least R5.6 million.

But, tired of being ignored and waiting for help, farmers have banded together, made a plan and dug into their own pockets to fix crucial roads.

Brett Chubb, chairperson of the Mid-illovo Farmers’ Association, said the impact of the floods was immense and that children in the area could not get to nearby schools.

“Sugar and timber could not be taken out of the district and diesel drops were impossible, resulting in the complete halt of farming operations. If an emergency had occurred, ambulances, police and security companies would not have had access.”

He said they used 15 tractors and trailers, five backhoes, brush cutters, chainsaws, and quarry and rock loads to help repair the damage

Chubb said that before the floods, they had engaged stakeholders and taken officials to some of the roads to show them how bad they were.

“We provided letters from all those who have been affected by the state of the roads,” he said. “When roads have been repaired these problems reoccur shortly after and as a result, we’ve had further meetings regarding the manner in which roads have been repaired.”

In Creighton, the D170 road, which passes through a number of communities, was washed away, preventing many from reaching work. The heavy rains also left a 5m wide sinkhole.

Hayden Stokes, a local farmer said roads were now almost impassable and dangerous to use. Therefore, farmers had filled them with shale to prevent further damage: “At the farmer’s expense, this is what we had to do to use our roads. It is disastrous for farmers and rural communities who depend on them. We had several meetings with the department, have sent many letters and have taken them to see the roads. With no response and no timelines on when the road will be repaired, we had to do something about it.”

The KZN Agricultural Union is busy with a road campaign to address the need for collective action at district level and to seek urgent action. The aim is to work within local, district, provincial and national structures, seeking other interventions.

Sandy La Marque, the union’s CEO, said they were awaiting feedback on meetings requested with Nkonyeni.

“We hope to receive a response for engagement soon. If not, we may have to look into legal and practical supports,” she said.

“We require the government, municipalities, stakeholders and leadership to be working at all levels to ensure that the focus of attending to the matter of infrastructure is done with the key economic implications in mind.”

METRO

en-za

2022-05-22T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-22T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://sundaytribune.pressreader.com/article/281547999504514

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