Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Marié la Cock
The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on Ngwathe Local Municipality to urgently address the widespread absence, damage, and poor visibility of road signs in Parys, which poses a serious safety risk for motorists, pedestrians, and visitors.
Critical signage—including stop, yield, speed limit, pedestrian crossing, and warning signs—is missing, vandalised, faded, or obstructed. This creates confusion on the roads, particularly at busy intersections, near schools, and in residential areas, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. The absence of proper signage places unnecessary strain on drivers, law enforcement, and emergency services, while exposing the municipality to avoidable incidents and liability.
The situation is especially concerning for Parys as a tourist destination. Visitors unfamiliar with local roads rely on clear, visible signage, and poor road marking endangers lives while harming the town’s reputation. Road signs are essential infrastructure, not optional, and their neglect reflects poorly on municipal service delivery.
The DA demands that the municipality immediately conduct a full audit of all road signage, replace missing or damaged signs as a priority, and implement ongoing maintenance with proper placement and reflective materials to ensure visibility.
Residents and visitors deserve safe roads, clear guidance, and a municipality that delivers on basic services. The DA will continue to raise these concerns until decisive action is taken.