Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Ruanda Meyer and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Metsimaholo will raise a formal question in Council to compel the municipality to implement an urgent maintenance plan to clear all blocked stormwater drains in Vaalpark and repair critical potholes across the area.
We are deeply concerned about the increasingly dire state of Vaalpark’s roads, made worse by blocked stormwater drains. Despite continuous rainfall and the rainy season just beginning, water is accumulating in the streets because drains remain clogged and neglected.
Numerous and ongoing requests to the Metsimaholo Technical Roads Department to clear these drains have gone unanswered, with no visible improvement. As a result, roads in Vaalpark have deteriorated to some of the worst conditions ever seen. In certain areas, frustrated residents are even driving through public parks to avoid impassable road sections.
One resident recently made a sarcastic remark suggesting that the municipality should open Vaalpark’s roads as a 4×4 track and charge an entry fee. This comment sadly reflects the frustration and disillusionment of rate-paying residents who deserve far better service delivery.
The DA has repeatedly reported the issue of blocked stormwater drains to prevent further damage to the already failing road infrastructure.
We remain committed to fighting for proper service delivery, accountability, and infrastructure maintenance in our communities.
Residents of Vaalpark and the broader Metsimaholo area deserve safe, accessible roads and a municipality that works for them.