Residents of Idutywa in the Eastern Cape are sounding the alarm about a dangerous road that has been neglected for over 20 years. The route connecting Colose Secondary School, Umfula Clinic, Malgas Secondary School, and Madakane JSS in Willowvale (Gatyane) under Mbhashe Municipality is in such poor condition that locals fear it’s only a matter of time before someone gets killed.
“This road has been like this since 2002,” one concerned community member told us. “The school buses that travel this route daily are at serious risk. We’re begging for help before tragedy strikes.”
The crumbling road poses particular danger to:
Hundreds of students traveling to/from three schools
Patients trying to reach Umfula Clinic
Bus drivers navigating the treacherous route daily
Despite two decades of complaints, no repairs have been made. During rainy seasons, the situation worsens as potholes fill with water, creating hidden hazards.
Community leaders are now making an urgent appeal:
Immediate temporary repairs to make the road passable
A permanent solution from Mbhashe Municipality
Provincial intervention if local government fails to act
“We don’t want to wait until a bus overturns or a child gets hurt,” said a teacher from Malgas Secondary. “This is about basic safety for our community.”
Why This Matters:
Children’s education is at risk when school transport becomes dangerous
Emergency vehicles struggle to reach the clinic quickly
The poor road conditions discourage economic development in the area
The Mbhashe Municipality has not yet responded to requests for comment.