Mbombela - A R148 million road rehabilitation project is underway in Mpumalanga to reduce accidents along a coal haulage route between Delmas and Bronkhorstspruit.
The P95/2 Coal Haulage Road was officially handed over during a sod turning ceremony led by Mpumalanga Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC Dikeledi Mahlangu, Education MEC Reginah Mhaule and Victor Khanye Local Municipality mayor Eva Makhabane in Extension 9 near Delmas recently.
"Community members should rest assured that road accidents will no longer be taking place after the completion of this project. I also have a relative who is among those who passed away after being involved in an accident on this same road," said Mahlangu.
"Such accidents will in future be a thing of the past and delivery trucks and factories will now come and operate businesses in this area."
Mahlangu said the provincial government decided to stop patching potholes and totally overhaul the road as mini repairs did not last and were a waste of money.
The project started on October 8 this year and will be completed before the end of March next year.
"Local people have also benefited in terms of job opportunities and are able to put borotho (bread) on their table. I will also be happy to see it completed before I complete my term in office," she said.
After the site hand over, Mahlangu and Mhaule proceeded to officially hand over Vezimfundo Primary School in the same community.
Learning and teaching at the new school started in February this year.
The school has 24 classrooms, one library, one computer lab, two blocks for Grade R, a kitchen, an administration block, a school hall, 51 toilets, netball and tennis courts and a soccer field.
"We have a donation of 52 computers already coming to this school. We want to see lawyers, teachers, engineers and other skilled people to come out of this school and we urge the community to protect it from vandals," said MEC Mhaule. - SAnews.gov.za
