Richmond tackles pothole crisis after mounting public pressure
Richmond Mayor Melikhaya Ngcongo told The Witness that the municipality is finalising the procurement of the last batch of its yellow plant fleet, including two additional trucks, which will be used to accelerate road maintenance and repairs.
After months of mounting criticism over deteriorating roads and growing safety concerns, Richmond Municipality says it is preparing to deploy newly procured road maintenance equipment as part of a major intervention to tackle potholes and failing infrastructure across the municipality.
The announcement comes as residents of Hopewell continue to raise concerns over the deteriorating condition of roads, particularly the P117, accusing the municipality of failing to act despite the dangers the damaged road poses to motorists, pedestrians and businesses.
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Richmond Mayor Melikhaya Ngcongo told The Witness that the municipality is finalising the procurement of the last batch of its yellow plant fleet, including two additional trucks, which will be used to accelerate road maintenance and repairs.
Ngcongo said municipal officials are already identifying priority areas where the equipment will be deployed once it becomes operational.
“We are engaging with our infrastructure team to determine which roads require urgent attention and where interventions should begin,” he said.
While acknowledging residents’ frustrations, Ngcongo said some of the worst-affected roads, including the P117 in Hopewell, fall under the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport rather than the municipality.
He said the municipality has been engaging the department over the condition of the road and has received assurances that work will begin before the end of August.
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“Some of these roads belong to the Department of Transport, but we have been engaging with the department and they have committed to intervening before the end of August to address the deteriorating condition of the P117,” Ngcongo said.
Two months ago, The Witness highlighted the worsening state of the road, which serves as the main gateway into Hopewell, after residents accused authorities of neglecting one of the area’s most important transport routes.
Ngcongo said the municipality recognises the seriousness of the problem and argued that investing in additional yellow plant equipment demonstrates its intention to respond more effectively to infrastructure challenges instead of relying solely on external contractors.
