- Municipality Defends R6.7 Million Road Repairs – Officials clarified that the project was funded by an infrastructure grant, with costs driven by necessary clay removal and material sourcing challenges.
- Public Scrutiny Over Road Quality Grows – Concerns escalated after a hole appeared in the newly resurfaced road, which the Municipality explained was an unfinished manhole awaiting final adjustments.
- Renewed Roadwork Causes Traffic Disruptions – Additional construction began due to a collapsed sewage line, with officials assuring residents that delays caused by heavy rains were being addressed.
- Long-Term Infrastructure Improvements Highlighted – The Municipality maintains that the upgrades will enhance road safety, prevent recurring sewage issues, and ensure a more durable road network.
The Newcastle Municipality placed emphasis on road infrastructure towards the end of 2024, undertaking extensive repairs on Allen Street.
As residents will remember, a large section of the road was torn up and restored, with officials highlighting the need to improve road safety and durability. However, questions have since emerged regarding the project’s staggering cost of R6.7 million, alongside concerns over the quality of the work.
Despite the repairs, residents quickly noticed a gaping hole in the newly resurfaced road. In response, the Municipality placed a road marking sign inside the hole to alert motorists, a move that only intensified scrutiny. Due to this, many residents have began to question whether the workmanship was up to standard, and public concern escalated further when the considerable cost of the project came to light.
Addressing these concerns, Mr Nsele, the Strategic Executive Director of Technical Services, explained that while the project did cost R6.7 million, the funding did not come from municipal financial resources but was instead provided through a grant dedicated to road infrastructure improvements.
He elaborated that the underlying surface of the road consisted of clay, which needed to be removed and replaced with suitable materials to prevent premature deterioration. Additionally, the closure of local asphalt plants for the festive season required the Municipality to source materials from other towns, such as Piet Retief, which further contributed to the overall expenses.
Additionally, Newcastle Municipality Spokesperson, Mthandeni Myende, sought to reassure residents, stating that the road had undergone comprehensive testing and that the workmanship was not flawed. He clarified that the visible hole was not a defect but rather a manhole that had yet to be adjusted.
Furthermore, Myende explained that due to time constraints during the initial repairs and the high volume of traffic, work on the stormwater drains could not be completed at that stage.
As a temporary measure, a roadwork sign was placed in the hole to alert motorists.
He further confirmed that the necessary adjustments were now being made, with municipal teams lifting manholes where required or installing rims as needed. With traffic levels lower this month, he noted, the work could now be carried out safely and efficiently.
Moreover, the work along the road began in October 2024, with the Municipality highlighting at the time that the purpose of the work was to enhance road safety for both motorists and pedestrians, while improving the look of the road.
To read more about the project, click here.
However, despite assurances that the hole was merely a manhole awaiting adjustment and that there were no underlying issues with the workmanship, many residents are now questioning why the Municipality has once again begun construction on a road that has already cost over R6 million to repair.
This comes as the Municipality initiated further extensive work along Allen Street from 13 February 2025, resulting in significant traffic congestion as municipal teams resumed construction.
Mr Nsele explained that this additional work was unavoidable, revealing that an aging sewage infrastructure had led to a collapsed sewage line, which now required urgent attention. He acknowledged that the Municipality had originally aimed to complete the repairs within a week, but recent heavy rains had caused delays. Despite this, he assured the public that teams were working tirelessly to complete the project as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, Myende added that while efforts had been made to minimise disruptions to motorists and businesses, any businesses experiencing difficulties due to the construction should contact the Municipality immediately to explore possible solutions.
Although the renewed work on Allen Street has drawn criticism, both Myende and Nsele emphasised that the project would ultimately resolve multiple sewage infrastructure issues in the CBD, preventing recurring leaks and ensuring a more stable system for both residents and businesses.
As Newcastle Municipality continues its efforts to justify the necessity and cost of these ongoing repairs, what are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below.
Comments 4
Absolute waste of financial resources even if received via a grant, duplication of work with no guarantee that the infrastructure upgrades will actually solve the current issues… company awarded R6 million to upgrade the road but the municipal teams are responsible to uplift the manholes???doesn’t make sense when the municipality claims to have financial and human resource challenges… Newcastle once voted the best town, now is actually a sight of sore eyes…
They should have started with the pipe line 1st and fix the surface later but because they want the pice on that money that is the reason they do so because they know you start from the bottom not the way around
Wrong base materials user for compaction.The sand used for the under the tar is wrong .Newly tarred section will degrade in a few months
Can someone tell me why how can the entire community in newcastle stop paying the municipality.
We fund the salaries of people who clearly can not manage to assist Newcastle nor help it prosper.
They are truly lacking from character to education and least of all common sense and know how.
The managing staff are plagued by corruption and workplace disorder. Harassment and misconduct. Abuse and more.
The culprits are just benefitting from the community for behaving badly.
Everyone is paying … for what? Pipes leaking , burst … calls ignored for months even years. Potholes ignored to claim money , roadworks neglected to claim grants , arrest threats to residents who assist (if things work properly how do they claim? Ask for grants? Pay themselves and have money to steal)
The other culprit is the one who gets the tenders. The road is a failure but they benefit. Clearly lack morals or concern even work ethic. Just grants what they can while they can. People look up to these useless types and feed them more and more of our hard earned money.
Open your eyes, everyone and see
You are being robbed and you are handing over your sweat and time worked to earn honest income to those who exist.
Let us all say no more !
Put a stop to it all TOGETHER
We can clean up our own communities
Amoung us are qualified workers being laid off, they have skills and can be entrepreneurs-real work can be achieved and the community and Newcastle can flourish again.
Doyou not smell the stench as you drive along side boundary road, near the taxi rank , paradise and other areas? Do you not see the huge Potholes throughout Newcastle? Do you not see the flooding in Newcastle? Infrastructure doesn’t work, sewerage , pump stations [pump out from one place and dump it near the grounds and open manholes] after a rain it reeks.
The mining ? Did everyone suddenly forget this? The quarries ?
Our water source? Drilling under our homes and land ?
Are you not concerned about your health, our food sources, future generations … many will leave and many will come BUT when everyone is together NEWCASTLE will prosper NO MATTER who stays , who goes, who contributes because contributions to the municipality are for the well being of Newcastle, it’s people and the land including the animals and water sources. Stop funding this nonsense. Help Newcastle get rid of this fake municipality and power to the people! That was the vision so let’s see it ! Most importantly May God help us , guide us and bless us all.