20 Jan 2025

Kanye District Council will prioritise road markings in its budget for the next financial year.

This was said by the council’s public relations officer, Ms Thato Chwaane in an interview following an inquiry on the council’s plan to address lack of visible road markings in Kanye.

“In the fiscal year 2024/25 budget, we were allocated only P232 864 for road maintenance but with the condition of our roads, we actually need at least P10 million annually for adequate maintenance,” she said.

She said budgetary constraints had forced them to prioritise urgent needs such as clearing overgrowth, repairing potholes and desilting of storm water drains, leaving road markings lower on their list of priorities

Ms Chwaane said road markings played a crucial role in traffic regulation and safety, an essential factor that had prompted the council to commit to addressing the issue in the upcoming year.

For his part, Sejelo Police Station Commander, Superintendent Mogomotsi Matlapeng confirmed that they were aware of the poorly marked roads in Kanye. Mr Matlapeng said the police held discussions with Kanye District Council regarding the implications of the situation and had received assurances that corrective measures would be taken.

He said the dangers of unmarked roads were that they increased the risk of road accidents that could be detrimental to both victims and offenders.

“Unmarked roads complicate police investigations and make it challenging to resolve accident cases,” he added.

He urged the public to maintain diligence while driving, reminding them to use the skills learnt in driving schools, including yielding to other road users to prevent collisions. While traffic officers have been lenient with warnings for infractions related to unmarked roads, he noted that they were prepared to enforce penalties when necessary.

One concerned motorist, Mr Atang Segomotso, expressed frustration over the continued lack of road markings in Kanye. He said while motorists and pedestrians must remain cautious, the onus was also on the council to improve road status.  

“It’s not surprising that the council faces budget shortages that hinder development, many government departments are struggling financially post-COVID-19,” Mr Segomotso said.

However, he stressed the importance of prioritising road markings as an essential step in protecting the lives of residents. He echoed Mr Matlapeng’s call for motorists to be considerate of other road users and always maintain vigilance to reduce the risk of accidents. ENDS