Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Irene Rügheimer and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Dihlabeng recently conducted an oversight visit to Fouriesburg to assess the condition of the town’s roads. What we found is deeply worrying.
Despite a small section of resurfacing recently completed in the town centre, most roads continue to deteriorate, and even the new section is already showing signs of damage. This raises serious concerns about the quality of the work done and whether proper standards were followed.
A significant issue is the unrestricted movement and parking of large trucks (“big rigs”) through the town. These roads were never designed for vehicles of this size and weight. As a result, the surfaces are breaking down much faster. The municipality urgently needs to introduce and enforce measures to manage heavy vehicle routes and parking to protect the town’s roads from further damage.
Steyn Street, the main road used by children walking to Fouriesburg Primary and Intermediate Schools, is in an alarming condition. The potholes and uneven surfaces make it unsafe for both pedestrians and vehicles, especially during busy school hours. This is a clear safety risk that needs immediate attention.
Robertson Street, the road leading to Meiringskloof Nature Park, is also in deplorable condition. As one of Fouriesburg’s main tourism routes, the state creates a poor impression for visitors and harms the town’s tourism economy.
The residents of Fouriesburg are working hard to increase tourism. Sadly, the declining state of the roads makes visitors hesitant to return. Local businesses and residents work hard to promote the town, but their efforts are undermined by failing infrastructure.
While the DA acknowledges the limited resurfacing, quick patches and temporary fixes are not a long-term solution. A proper, well-planned road rehabilitation programme is urgently needed, especially with the rainy season ahead, which will worsen the current damage.
We call on the Dihlabeng Local Municipality to take the following actions:
Fix Steyn Street and Robertson Street as a priority to protect children, residents, and the tourism industry.
- Introduce and enforce rules for heavy trucks to prevent further damage to town roads.
- Investigate the early wear on the newly resurfaced section to ensure taxpayers’ money is being used properly.
- Develop a proper road rehabilitation and maintenance plan, with clear timelines and budgets.
- Improve communication with residents and tourism stakeholders so that everyone knows what to expect and when improvements will be made.
The DA will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for safe, well-maintained roads for all Fouriesburg residents and visitors.