The appalling condition of streets in Eltivillas, Louis Trichardt, is costing motorists thousands of rands.

Residents and motorists have expressed their growing concern over the long-standing dilapidation of the roads in Eltivillas.

In one of the most recent incidents, a motorist from Louis Trichardt (who wishes to stay anonymous) had an unfortunate experience, crashing into an open storm water drain when he tried to reverse out of a parking space in front of EasyBuild, Eltivillas. The motorist’s bakkie sustained serious damages. The left front wheel had to be replaced. The chassis of the bakkie was also trashed. Over and above the damages to his bakkie, the motorist also sustained minor injuries to his hands and arms as a result of the impact of the crash.

According to Mr Nizam Aboobaker from EasyBuild, municipal workers came to fix the water drains about nine months ago. The drains have since then remained open and unfixed.

More alarming, however, is the municipality’s total disregard for motorists’ safety. Aboobaker had some of his employees set up makeshift warning signs for his customers visiting the shop, after the municipality failed to do so.

“It is not nice for clients to come here,” Aboobaker complained.

But ever since the Zoutpansberger reported about the almost-non-existent tar streets in this Indian neighbourhood last year, residents have only been met by empty promises from the Makhado Municipality.

Previously, municipal spokesperson Mr Louis Bobodi acknowledged the bad state of the streets in Eltivillas.

Last year, Bobodi promised that a review meeting of the municipality’s budget would take place in December, during which a submission would have been made to request money for the rehabilitation of streets in Eltivillas.

Bobodi was approached for comment regarding the outcome of this meeting. Bobodi, however, denied having said that the meeting would take place in December, now saying that the meeting was scheduled “for some time between December last year and February this year.”

Bobodi was still not able to give a time frame as to when actual repair work to streets in Eltivillas will start.

“The municipality will prioritise their goals during this meeting and it will only be after this meeting that we will be able to give a clear indication of steps that will be taken to correct the situation,” Bobodi said.