Eastern Cape farmers affected by flood damage to the R62 between Kareedouw and Joubertina have been assured that emergency repairs are underway, with the nearly R42 million project expected to be completed by December.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The section of the national road was damaged by floods in May, disrupting communities and farming operations in the Kou Kamma Local Municipality. Xolile Nqatha, Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety, gave the assurance during a stakeholder engagement in Kareedouw involving the municipality, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), local farmers and other stakeholders.
“As government, we have received reports that there are protests that emanate from this community regarding the slow pace of repairs on the R62 road that was damaged by floods,” Nqatha said. He said government recognised the importance of the route and the social and economic consequences of the damage.
“We are aware of the social and economic impact the damage of the R62 has on households and the overall livelihood of communities that live around here.”
Also watch: Recent floods a major pain point for EC & WC farmers
Farmers built their own bypass
Following the flood damage, local farmers took matters into their own hands and funded and constructed a private bypass to keep traffic moving. Farmers had previously raised concerns about a breakdown in communication with government, the statement noted.
“We are also aware of the costs that were incurred by the farming community in constructing a bypass, as well as the farming community’s plea to be compensated for costs used to fund the bypass to the R62 that they built,” Nqatha said.
SANRAL has previously maintained it cannot fund construction undertaken outside its road reserve because, as a state-owned company, it is required to comply with the Public Finance Management Act. The agency has, however, provided technical assistance and helped with stop/go traffic accommodation to regulate traffic around the bypass.
Also read: Farmers need good roads
Repairs expected to be completed in December
Siphesihle Bulose, SANRAL project manager, said a contractor had been appointed to carry out emergency repairs. “SANRAL reiterates its empathy with the local farming community and fully understands that when inclement weather conditions occur, local communities become inconvenienced and there is always a cost associated with the damage,” Bulose said.
“While adhering to internal procurement processes, SANRAL has appointed a contractor to do emergency repair work on the road.”
Construction started in June at a total cost of almost R42 million and is expected to be completed in December. The project is also expected to create more than 50 job opportunities. The repair work will include traffic accommodation, construction of gabion baskets and mattresses, full pavement layer works and compaction of fill material. Laboratory testing will be conducted continuously to monitor compaction and material quality.
Other work will include the installation or restoration of guardrails, road signs, line markings and fencing.
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