Transport and mining company Tacet says it spends hundreds of thousands of rand on maintaining roads in Lichtenburg as the struggling Ditsobotla local municipality in the North West fails to provide a range of essential services.
The company occupies the premises previously used by dairy company Clover, which left in 2021, citing poor service delivery.
Tacet managing director Bennie Laubscher said deteriorating road conditions have resulted in significant financial and operational strains on businesses in Lichtenburg and surrounding areas.
The company spends about R200,000 a month on road maintenance.
“Our fleet of trucks and company vehicles has sustained extensive damage, and our employees are personally affected as they struggle with ongoing repairs to their private vehicles or [having to pay excessive fees for] using taxi or bus services due to these poor road conditions,” said Laubscher.
“During winter months when dust suppression is required, the cost increases to R240,000 per month. It is crucial to note that these efforts only make the roads marginally drivable. When it rains, pothole filling and grading are not possible, causing the road conditions to deteriorate rapidly,” said Laubscher.
“As a result, our fleet sustains significantly higher maintenance costs than it should throughout the year. The additional monthly maintenance cost on our fleet alone is a minimum of R180,000. In total, the minimum additional monthly cost directly related to the poor road conditions is R420,000.
“When factoring in the increased wear and tear on our employees’ personal vehicles and the higher fares that employees without their own transport are forced to pay to taxi operators due to the poor road conditions, the total additional burden easily exceeds R530,000 per month.”
Michelle Banda
www.sowetanlive.co.za
