A Tshimbupfe village resident, Nthambeleni Mufuniwa Gabara, has urged Public Protector Adv Kholeka Gcaleka to investigate the prolonged delay in upgrading the village’s damaged gravel roads into tar.

Gabara submitted a formal complaint on behalf of the community at the Public Protector’s office in Pretoria on 31 October. He called for an investigation into the alleged failure of the Makhado and Collins Chabane municipality, the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL), and the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure to honour promises to upgrade roads D3778, D3753, and D3718.

According to Gabara, the Makhado Local Municipality’s 2009/10-2010/11 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) included plans to upgrade the gravel roads from Malonga to Hanani, Tshimbupfe, and Thohoyandou. Only road D3634 from Giyani to Nkuri to Malonga has been completed, leaving Tshimbupfe residents frustrated.

In September 2023, RAL reported on its Facebook page that a consultant engineer had been appointed to design upgrades for the 30km stretch covering roads D3753, D3718, and D3778. The designs were expected to take 12 months, but despite these assurances, the roads remain in poor condition. Residents say the gravel surfaces are dangerous, especially during rain, and blame officials for providing empty promises.

Gabara criticised departmental spokesperson Emmanuel Mongwe, who has repeatedly claimed the designs are complete and the roads are a priority, but cites budget constraints when asked when construction will start.

“I am representing the community to ask the Public Protector to investigate what is delaying the construction of tar roads at Tshimbupfe village,” Gabara said. “We have never seen a tar road in our village, and residents are left wondering what recourse we have after waiting for three decades. I trust the Public Protector to address this complaint without fear, favour, or prejudice.”

The community now seeks clarity on whether the completed road-design documents exist and why local and provincial authorities have not acted, hoping the investigation will finally bring the long-promised tar roads to Tshimbupfe.