“You need a 4x4 bakkie to travel on these roads!” This is the view of many road users of Eltivillas, Louis Trichardt.

Businesspeople and residents of the Eltivillas area have long since reached their limits with the state of the roads in and around this Indian neighbourhood.

Nearly all the road surfaces are worn-out and riddled with deep, jagged potholes. Some of the previously tarred roads have degraded to such an extent that they can now be classified as gravel roads again.

One businessman, Mr Nizam Aboobaker from EasyBuild, is concerned about the negative impact that the state of the roads has on his business.

“Clients don’t want to come here anymore, because the potholes damage their cars,” he said.

Mr Louis Bobodi, spokesperson of the Makhado Municipality, admitted last week that the streets in Eltivillas, especially in front of and around EasyBuild, are in a state of extreme dilapidation. He said, however, that the municipality’s budget at present did not make provision for the rehabilitation of these roads.

According to Bobodi, there will be a budget review meeting later this month, where a submission will be made to request money for the rehabilitation of streets in Eltivillas. In the meantime, residents and motorists are getting more agitated, because it could still be another year or two before the necessary funds are secured.

Bobodi was not able to give a time frame as to when actual road work will start.

“The sooner we get everything in order, the sooner we will be able to start,” Bobodi said.