TLU SA is concerned about the condition of the country’s roads.
It already has and will only have a greater impact on the economy, and more importantly, it is no longer safe on the roads. There are several factors that play a role and TLU SA realises heavy rain and the accompanying floods have damaged roads, but the fact is that many roads were already in a poor state before the heavy rains and floods.
Here, both gravel and tar roads are referred to as roads that need urgent attention, because due to the lack of regular maintenance, the condition of the roads are now so bad that it needs to be rebuilt. We are past the stage where maintenance is still a possible solution.
“Everywhere in South Africa, farmers hear the same story: There is no money, no manpower and no machinery. However, there is a large part of the fuel price - which rises almost every month - for the maintenance of roads. What happens to that money?” said Mr Bennie van Zyl, TLU SA General Manager.
TLU SA decided to act with a campaign to see what can be done to change the current state of roads.
“To address the seriousness of the matter and to bring its urgency to the attention of the right people - and to put them under sufficient pressure to enforce change - TLU SA needs everyone's help. This is an initiative of South African farmers in collaboration with TLU SA in the interest of food security, human dignity and the right to life,” said Mr Van Zyl.
Farmers suffer severe damage to their vehicles and products that must reach the markets to feed the people. There are even transport contractors who refuse to use these specific roads due to the condition of roads while other contractors increase their tariffs if they must make deliveries or transport food to farmers - to whom access can only be obtained on the neglected roads.
Mr Van Zyl adds: “Farming input costs are already very high, and this is even before the monthly fuel price increase is considered. Farmers and agriculture simply cannot afford another onslaught - like the national road conditions - in our effort to provide quality food to the people at affordable prices. The government must now come to the table and at all levels pay attention. We have a crisis on our hands.”
To get involved TLU SA wants South Africans to visit our campaign page https://tluveldtogte.co.za/en/roads/ and add your voice to the choir of voices that are calling for change and action from the government.
“By filling in the form, you are adding your voice to our request to the South African Government to provide for an additional 10% public tax rebate on all income and corporate taxes used for road maintenance. South Africans use their public tax rebate benefit highly effective for social issues. In the same way, a public tax rebate benefit for road maintenance can be instrumental to road safety.
“The request further demands from Fikile Mbalula, Minister of Transport, to declare the current state of roads not only a danger to people, but also to the sustainability of agriculture and the South African economy as a whole. The petition will also demand that allocated budgets be used effectively and within the necessary periods to actively improve South African roads.”
