MESSINA – The unchecked deterioration of roads in the Soutpansberg service area is causing frustration and alarm and poses a serious threat for the marketing of large scale vegetable farming in the far northern area of the province.

The Soutpansberg District Agricultural Union expressed its serious concern about the total lack of positive reaction on repeated requests to the Provincial Roads authorities. Among commercial farmers in the far northern areas talk is now rife about some form of visible protest against the total lack of co-operation experienced from these authorities.

The Mopane/Nieuwelust road (777) is reported to be almost impassable. In the vicinity of Bandur there are holes on the surface of the road which could cause a serious threat to uninformed visitors.

The Messina/Malaladrift road (1933) as well as 1843 is reported to be in such a state of disrepair that farmers transporting their crops to the market are experiencing up to 20% damage on freight loads. These are just a few of the worst cases.

A spokesperson for the Soutpansberg District Agricultural Union said on enquiry that various calls on senior role players responsible for roads have not had any visible success so far. A lack of fuel and a lack of available funds are forwarded as excuses for the lack of action.

In Messina it is reported that only two road graders in stead of four are available, but both are reportedly unserviceable.

Co-ordination and discussions about the important roads issue has reached stalemate, after Superintendent Michael Rademeyr has allegedly been instructed not to answer any queries or to entertain any further requests for meetings with farmers or their organisations.

"We are frustrated to a point of total desperation by the incapacity of the Department of Public Works and its failure to respond in a positive way to a very serious problem with far reaching negative implications for the regional economy," a spokesperson for the Soutpansberg District Agricultural Union, Mr Gideon Meiring said in an interview. He said producers are contemplating what further steps could be taken to bring the desperate situation to the attention of the responsible authorities and other role-players.

"Any action taken by the producers will be solely to focus the attention, nationally and internationally, on a totally intolerable situation. Should such action cause discomfort or disruption, we trust that the taxpaying public will bear with us and sympathise with our predicament and sorry plight," he said.