Millions spent yet no road construction done
Disgruntled residents accuse the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality of allegedly spending R11 million on a road that, according to them, shows little evidence of construction or improvement.
According to the municipality's Integrated Development Plan (IDP) budget records, villagers of Ga-Komane were allocated an amount of R11 million during the 2017/2018 financial period to upgrade a road in the village. However, nearly eight years later, residents claim there is little to show for this substantial investment.
Angry residents complain about an 11km stretch of road that remains in poor condition, making daily travel difficult and sometimes impossible.
'Our daily commuting becomes impossible during rainy seasons. We end up using donkeys as a mode of transport,' said concerned resident Ronald Maepa.
'This is not how we envisioned life after three decades of democracy,' he added.
Ga-Komane, situated in the Leole Mountains, is one of many rural communities in Limpopo province struggling with inadequate infrastructure. The poor road conditions not only affect daily commuting but also impact emergency services, economic activities, and children's access to education.
Read more | 71-year-old woman in Lusikisiki killed in a suspected arson attack - 'We're scared' says family
Kgoshi Phillemon Komane expressed his disappointment: 'We can't believe we are still suffering as we were promised services and a better life for all. Our community has been patient, but after so many years, we need answers about what happened to the allocated funds.'
The challenge faced by Ga-Komane is not unique. Across South Africa, municipalities struggle with infrastructure project implementation, with billions in infrastructure grants going unspent annually while wasteful expenditure increases. According to recent reports, a lack of technical capacity, financial mismanagement, and weak oversight mechanisms contribute to these persistent problems.
The municipality has, however, denied that R11 million has been spent but acknowledged that maintenance work has been done in an attempt to upgrade the road.
Fetakgomo Tubatse Municipality spokesperson, Thabiso Mokoena, responded to the allegations: 'We cannot say R11 million has been spent. It is a lot of money. We could have done many things with R11 million because it is part and parcel of maintenance. We did not use that kind of money, but what we want to indicate to everybody is that the municipality spent money to create access to the community and other organs want to give services to the people of Ga-Komane.'
Both villagers and the municipality agree it would be impossible to spend R11 million on the stretch of access road that, according to residents, shows minimal improvements.
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in municipal accountability and infrastructure development across South Africa's rural areas. According to governance experts, enhancing oversight mechanisms and strengthening consequence management are crucial steps toward ensuring that allocated funds translate into tangible infrastructure improvements for communities like Ga-Komane.
As the rainy season approaches, residents continue to worry about their ability to access essential services, highlighting the real-world impact of delayed infrastructure projects on rural communities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News24
a day ago
- News24
When journalism meets sensationalism: A nation's scrutiny on trial
Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been under the media and public scrutiny since he made the sensational allegations about corruption in the police.
News24
a day ago
- News24
What's in City Press: The case against Masemola
The case against Masemola: SAPS boss and 4 top cops in firing line National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola and four senior crime intelligence officers will each face at least four charges each for their roles in the multimillion-rand acquisition of buildings by the SA Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence Unit. GNU partners to ANC: 'Sort out our problems first' President Cyril Ramaphosa's plans to invite more parties into the GNU have been shot down by three key coalition partners who say the ANC must first address serious dysfunction in the current arrangement. About 212 students who graduated in Cuba last month were brought home in luxury by at least 25 generals and commanders, all the top brass at the defence force's expense, in business class with gourmet food and 'plush pillows'. SANDF chief defies minister's order to reinstate dismissed colonel Defence chief General Rudzani Mphwanya has ignored Defence Minister Angie Motshekga's direct instruction to reinstate Air Force Colonel Eugene Motati, who was wrongfully dismissed in 2019 over untested sexual harassment allegations. 'I was starting to get bored'– Lerato Mvelase shines in Marked Actress and television presenter, Lerato Mvelase, has received widespread acclaim for her exceptional portrayal of Babalwa in the recent Netflix series, Marked. Ramaphosa faces personal cost order over collapsed municipality President Cyril Ramaphosa and three of his Cabinet ministers face personal cost orders if they do not urgently intervene in the collapsed Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West. Actress Vuyiseka Cawe named in fresh fraud case linked to Jub Jub's Lyta Motlakase scandal South African actress Vuyiseka Cawe has been implicated in a new fraud case linked to media personality. The estranged husband of a former Our Perfect Wedding presenter and fitness model appears to have reneged on a spousal maintenance agreement, which could result in her eviction from a luxury apartment in Fourways, where she resides with their two children. 'You can't monitor billions if you can't read' – Hlabisa urges literacy overhaul in municipal leadership SA's municipalities face mounting challenges, from climate crises to political instability and economic strain. Watch | Winning Women: The pharmacist ending the dangerous medicine runs in Zonkizizwe Viwe Moni-Mashego is a pharmacist who is transforming medical access in the Zonkizizwe informal settlement. Watch | 45 000 toilets left to rot as Ekurhuleni residents face sanitation nightmare The collapse of toilet maintenance services has left thousands living in unsanitary conditions, while contractors claim they are owed over R140 million in unpaid fees. IDC loses millions spent on nonexistent boats About R74 million has been siphoned from the coffers of the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to fund the construction of two houseboats in Kenya, which were never built. Staff grievances, including sexual harassment, were ignored at Matjhabeng municipality A senior official in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Sefako Ramphoma, who serves as executive director of Local Economic Development (LED), is at the centre of allegations involving sexual harassment, abuse of power, corruption and victimisation, yet continues to serve untouched. Polokwane's R41 m township development payout puzzle A lucrative township development deal between the Polokwane Local Municipality in Limpopo and a private developer has sparked outrage after the city council agreed to pay more than R41 million for costs the developer had originally agreed to cover. after the department of education said it did not care about the code of conduct. Judge Mbenenge 's case shows the need for clear sexual misconduct policies in SA Under South African law, employers are bound to create and maintain a working environment that is safe for everyone and free from all forms of unfair discrimination that can manifest as favouritism or victimisation, writes Nompumelelo Motlafi Francis. When journalism meets sensationalism: A nation's scrutiny on trial Although some prominent journalists have previously been implicated as being beneficiaries of the SA Police Service Crime Intelligence Unit and even of criminal networks, speculating whether Abram Mashego falls into that category was ill-timed, unwarranted and deeply regrettable, writes Tebogo Khaas Dashiki | Checking receipts or racial profiling? Outrage at a local store sparks debate A heated incident at a local store involving a racially charged check of a shopper's receipt has ignited a broader debate about the fairness of such practices. Family with 'links' to Polokwane mayor 'scores R225m in tenders' Three companies, allegedly owned by family members linked to senior Polokwane Local Municipality officials, have come under scrutiny for securing numerous tenders from the council. Liam Bern has become the third player from relegated Cape Town Spurs to approach the PSL dispute resolution chamber, requesting to be recognised as a free agent. The majority of PSL coaches have acquired qualifications Head coaches in the premier division have either the Uefa Pro or CAF A licence - that's about 100% of coaches. The 23-year-old flyhalf's profile has received an added boost as the face of the Boks' official energy drink. When the Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship tests against Australia was announced last month, it stated that some players released to their respective clubs were to build up game time in the Carling Currie Cup competition.
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
American trophy hunter killed by buffalo during safari in South Africa
An American was killed by a buffalo he was tracking during a trophy hunt in South Africa, police said Friday. The man from Dallas, Texas, was found dead last Sunday at a farm in the northern Limpopo province. The victims' name was not disclosed by police but several U.S. media outlets, citing the safari company that organized the expedition, identified him as 52-year-old Asher Watkins. "Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo he was tracking together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers," Hans Vermaak, whose family runs the safari company that organized the expedition, said in a statement to The New York Times. Coenraad Vermaak Safaris confirmed to People that Watkins was fatally gored by a Cape buffalo. The victim had injuries on his stomach and torso, and a buffalo that had been shot and killed was lying nearby, police said. A statement from police said they had been alerted by security personnel at the farm who led them to "a lifeless body of a man already certified dead inside an ambulance." The safari company's website describes the cape buffalo as "the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa, let alone the world," adding that the animal is responsible for "several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year." The Cape buffalo has been dubbed "the mafia of the bush," according to Kariega Game Reserve, because the large animals "have the tendency to take revenge when messed with and have been known to circle back, stalk and attack or kill hunters." Buffaloes in South Africa can weigh up to 1,800 pounds and are among the so-called Big Five of African trophy animals, along with elephants, rhinos, lions and leopards. Hunting tourism brings in $169 million a year for South Africa, according to a study by a local university released in July. "Foreign hunters, often wealthy retirees from the United States," spend on average $32,663 per visit, the study found.
