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Indlela ubomi will hold the government to account

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Dear Editor

Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape launched a public-driven initiative indlela ubomi, to expose and address the severe deterioration of road infrastructure in the province, following the findings of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) report.

This report confirms what residents have known for years: the province’s road network is in a state of collapse, with only 9 per cent of roads paved—far below the national average of 25 per cent. At current funding levels, no major road upgrades will happen until 2044, leaving rural communities stranded and denying thousands of people access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Failing roads have become a human rights violation. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) cannot reach patients in time, schoolchildren are forced to walk dangerously long distances, and businesses are suffering immense financial losses. The provincial government’s inaction is not just negligence—it is actively harming livelihoods and endangering lives.

The DA refuses to accept this failure. That is why we are taking direct action through a public reporting platform, indlela ubomi, available at https://indlelaubomi.co.za that will allow residents to document potholes, collapsed bridges, and road failures in real-time.

This information will be escalated to the relevant authorities and, with consent, included in a formal petition to the Provincial Department of Transport to demand:

  1. Emergency road repairs for key routes, including those leading to hospitals, schools, and police stations.
  2. Full utilisation of road maintenance grants to fix potholes and crumbling roads.
  3. Immediate SANRAL takeover of key provincial roads to ensure proper maintenance.
  4. Increased provincial budget allocations for roads.
  5. Accountability for failing municipalities that neglect road maintenance despite having access to funding.

This campaign is not just about identifying problems—it is about forcing action. The Eastern Cape government has ignored this crisis for too long, and we will not allow them to continue failing our communities.

The DA will apply every legislative mechanism available to hold them accountable and push for urgent intervention from Treasury and the Department of Transport.

Public participation is critical in this fight. We urge residents to report road failures, demand action, and join us in ensuring that the government is held accountable. This is not just a governance issue—it is a matter of basic dignity, human rights, and economic survival.

The time for excuses is over.

The Eastern Cape cannot wait until 2044. We need action now.

Regards

Kabelo Mogatosi MPL
DA Shadow MEC for Transport

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Port Elizabethan

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