“I nearly lost my life on that road” – Motorists react to potholes on R708 between Marquad and Clocolan

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – With festive season around the corner, motorists have expressed their views on the state of R708 between Marquad and Clocolan with others bashing both Free State Provincial Government (FSPG) and African National Congress (ANC).

This is the same road that farmers, business community and taxi operators shut and asked it be transferred to SANRAL.

“Transfer R708 to SANRAL” Farmers and Taxi Operators demand

The R274 million road tender was awarded to Maphutha Business Enterprise (MBE) eleven month ago, not much has been done.

TRANSPORT MONTH
After Jabu Mbalula, MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport launched transport month, we shared an old video of Julius Malema, leader of Economic Freedom Fighters accusing ANC leaders of corruption. To date, no one has rebutted what Malema said.

Video:

In the comments section R708 between Marquad and Clocolan was mentioned, and we also shared it’s current state, thats when motorists shared their horrible experiences including near death moments.

Video:

The comment section was full of anger and disappointment.

@Ngoetsana Francina: “Nearly lost my life on this road, im shocked hore its this bad.”

@Franscina Mosikili: 🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️Democracy roads 👀👀👀 back then during Apartheid roads were fully maintained 🤞🤞🤞 In the Free State we used to have PAO 💪💪💪👌👌👌👌.We are longing for those golden days we used to enjoy 🤞🤞🤞

@Didimalo: I lost 2 tyres there 🤞🥹

@refiloemakape: This route makes me so angry. 😤

@Candylove: am resident at marquard but this unacceptable I wander setsoto municipality what are. they saying about this road

@Matsidiso Masoka: ke tsamaile tsela eo last week Thursday ke tswa Ladybrand joooooohhhh 😭😭😭😭😭 hi bohloko ka nnete ho bona dintho tse tjena

@Sdeda: Cheses 15 minutes ride takes 2hours this is one of the worst routes in FS.

@Thabiso Andrew: I once drove on that road it was so terrible,i dont know whats going on with Free state government.

@Mr 2 damn gud🫶: look at those potholes driving there at night. last time I hit one pothole change the Tyre n still hit another one again at night had to drive frm Kroonstad to carltonville with a flat tyre😢

@@madee80: I traveled 6 hours from Virginia to Ficksburg ,thanks to this horrible road

@mathapelo: It took us an hour from Marquard to clocolan on our way to Lesotho, last month

@Armanda Suping: I work in Marquard,I’m from Clocolan…I feel unfortunate that I have to use this road daily.

@Phoka: I use this road every Mondays to render professional services in Marquard, so sickening, 😞😏

@SOLOist: On my way from EC between clocolan & fourisburg my 2 left tyres busted I spent 6 hours to get help

Others referred us to more horrible roads in Free State, of course Matjhabeng would not be left out.

@BuhlebeNdalo🥰: Hennenman and welkom kore matjhabeng e worst

@maruku_4: Reitz to Kestel😟☹

Predictably, the Department of Community Safety, Roads, and Transport will soon conduct road blocks in their publicity stunts with Joyce “Pretenders” Mathae, Free State Premier and Jabu Mbalula, MEC posing for pictures and granting interviews talking about arrive alive on unroadworthy roads while standing next to a giant pothole without shame.

ROADS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Shout out to Tau Pele Construction PTY LTD, Black Top Civils and RAUBEX on great work currently under construction on Tweespruit to Excelsior, Tweespruit to Hobhouse and Sasolburg to Heilbron respectively.

We see you.

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