Delays by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport MEC, Jacob Mamabolo to hand over the Gauteng portion of the Moloto Road to the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) for upgrades has perpetuated the death toll on this dangerous road.
This follows a horrific bus crash that left two people dead and at least 34 others injured on Moloto Road, near Cullinan, East of Pretoria, today. The DA conveys its condolences to the loved ones of the deceased, and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
It is alleged that the driver lost control and the bus rolled.
If the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport did not drag its feet in implementing a decision on the way forward regarding the Moloto Road upgrades this accident could have been prevented.
This road is dangerous as it is a single lane and currently does not have any streetlights and has no clear road signs, including speed limits.
For far too long, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has pleaded with the MEC and his department to hand over their portion of the Moloto Road to Sanral but they stubbornly refuse to on-board solutions that will save lives..
Only last month did the MEC succumb to the DA’s pressure and informed the media that he will only announce a decision on the matter before November 15, 2019.
However, it was too late as their delay in making a decision is affecting the progress in terms of the road upgrades.
If the ANC didn’t refuse to handover the road, for some bizarre reason, the whole upgrade process would have progressed at no cost for the Gauteng Province.
While they are dragging their feet, people die on this road. Gauteng Roads and Transport Department is dysfunctional and cannot fulfil its core function.
I will continue to monitor the progress of the upgrade of this road as we cannot afford to have any more lives lost on this road.