Bloemfontein - The tourist route between Harrismith in the Free State and Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal remains impassable as the Free State government continues to deny responsibility for the half-finished road.
The deplorable state of the road, which for decades brought visitors to the Drakensberg from Gauteng, has resulted in the closure of numerous tourist destinations and the loss of hundreds of jobs since 2009.
Last week, Saki Mohono, spokesperson for police, roads and transport in the Free State, repeated a statement he had made in January, saying the R74 was “officially” the responsibility of the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral). “All we were waiting for was for the premier to sign a letter. It has been signed and sent to Sanral. They have confirmed receipt of the letter. That road is not ours any more.”
However, Sanral’s Yolisa Pasipanodya disagreed, saying: “Please note that Sanral has not taken over the R74. It is still a provincial road.”
KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism spokesman Bheko Madlala said meetings were held with the Free State government, which had promised to fix the road, but the department had not received any updates.
The DA’s provincial leader in the Free State, Roy Jankielsohn, said it was impossible for Sanral to take over the road because it was the only alternative route, between Harrismith and Mooi River, to the N3.
“Sanral only takes responsibility for toll roads. They can’t take over the R74 because they can’t put a toll on it. It is the only alternative road. By law it cannot be tolled,” he said.
Jankielsohn said the Free State government was aware of the issue, as it was debated “heatedly” in the provincial legislature earlier this year.
Research done in 2011 by the University of the Free State showed that of the 6 370km of surfaced roads in that province, 70 percent were “non-trafficable” or in a “very poor” condition. Of the 22 179km gravel roads, 90 percent were “very poor” or impassable.
Jankielsohn said the impasse was as a result of a R4.2 billion commitment to upgrade roads by the Free State department without sourcing the funding or proper planning. “The money was committed to 23 roads, then reduced to 12. The contractors (Sanyati Holdings) started fixing the R74, but halfway through the payments dried up. As a result the company went into liquidation.” - Pretoria News