Picture: The residents of Vaaltyn in Taung embarking on a peaceful march over inaccessible roads/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The residents of Vaaltyn in Taung said the overarching issue of inaccessible roads in their area impacts negatively their livelihoods. The residents embarked on a peaceful march and submitted their memorandum of demand to the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) and North West Department Public Works and Roads offices in Taung yesterday.
One of the residents, Keabetswe Modisaotsile said the impacts of undeveloped roads in Vaaltyn have a direct linkage to the dwindling economy in their area. Modisaotsile further said they have requested the government to improve the poor service delivery there are enduring, but nothing has happened.
“Our community is characterised by poor road conditions and we have been trying to bring this to the attention of the department without any success. We are faced with severe difficulties in transportation due to these inaccessible roads. The 15km road that is a linkage between our village and D205 from Reivilo is in bad condition.
“The lesser we speak about our internal roads, the better. So many accidents that have led to fatalities had happened on these roads. There is also no appropriate drainage system by the side of the road, which create water overflow, especially during the rainy season. We continue to experience drainage system that is clogged throughout the year and nothing is done about it,” she said.
Modisaotsile added that, school children are sometimes affected because their scholar transport could not drive on inaccessible roads. She said, even when they call ambulances during emergencies, there is a delay due to inaccessible roads.
“It’s been a while since were raised our concerns as residents to the local authorities like public works and municipality, however, no effort is being made by the municipality or department to improve the provision of services. The grading of gravel roads is needed, while we urge the department to pave our main road.
“It is so sad to see that, there is a lack of infrastructural development in our area because that alone has a negative impact on our livelihoods. We cannot continue to bear the brunt, while we are in 29 years of democracy. Essential services are needed in rural areas as well,” said Modisaotsile.
Meanwhile, the North West Public Works and Roads official, who received the memorandum has not responded to our calls. The department’s response will be incorporated into the article after receiving it.
The Guardian 