PUK students are “GATVOL” with potholes, demand urgent repair of high-risk potholes
AfriForum Youth’s PUK branch in Potchefstroom today officially kicked off its GATVOL campaign, which is a protest against the deteriorating condition of roads around the campus of the North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus. As part of the campaign, the branch sent a letter to Kgomotso Kumbe, Municipal Manager of the JB Marks Local Municipality, today demanding the urgent repair of ten high-risk potholes in the town.
In the run-up to the official start of the GATVOL campaign, a number of AfriForum Youth members gathered on 16 April to visibly express their frustration with the poor condition of roads. During this gathering, students – standing in some of the largest potholes in the town – strategically spelt out the word “GATVOL” on their bottoms.
At the same time, the branch also identified the ten high-risk potholes. Warning signs stating, among other things, “Welcome to Potholestroom” and “Diving lessons here: More than just tyres are diving here” have been erected at these potholes.
According to AfriForum Youth, the notice boards are not only aimed at warning motorists about the dangerous potholes but also at pointing out to the Municipality that urgent intervention is needed.
AfriForum Youth has now set a deadline of 30 days for the Municipality to repair the ten identified potholes. These identified potholes are located as follows:
- 72 Hoffman Street
- 56 Rissik Street
- 54 Rissik Street
- 59A Molen Street (corner of Molen and Meyer Streets)
- 41 Molen Street
- 47 Meyer Street
- 44 Meyer Street
- 25 Chief Albert Luthuli Drive
- 139 Steve Biko Street
- 25 Esselen Street
“We refuse to accept this new ‘normal’. Potholes are not part of an everyday adventure or phenomenon. It is a sign of neglect and a lack of accountability,” says Janké Crots, Chairperson and Spokesperson for AfriForum Youth’s PUK branch. “What we see is not simply poor infrastructure but the systemic collapse of service delivery that can no longer be ignored.”
AfriForum Youth maintains that Potchefstroom’s roads are now characterised by extensive potholes that cause inconvenience and pose serious safety risks for all road users. The organisation further argues that the Municipality’s failure to maintain the roads also leads to frequent damages to vehicles.
“The Municipality has a critical responsibility to maintain public infrastructure and ensure the safety and functionality thereof. This is a responsibility placed on municipalities in terms of the Constitution. Therefore, the failure to properly maintain roads is a blatant violation of the Constitution that carries serious legal implications,” adds Crots.
Students, residents and parents are encouraged to support AfriForum Youth’s petition and the GATVOL campaign and thereby help hold the Municipality to account. The organisation hopes to bring about real change through this campaign and, therefore, calls on the municipality to:
- prioritise the repair of identified potholes;
- draw up and implement a transparent and sustainable road maintenance plan; and
- provide regular feedback to the public on the progress and challenges experienced in this regard.
“Safe roads are not a luxury – they are a basic right. We will no longer stand by as our infrastructure decays and people’s safety is put at risk. We choose to stand up, to speak out and to take action,” Crots concludes.
- Click here to support the petition.
