The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) led Newcastle Local Municipality in north-western KwaZulu-Natal says it is working on fixing its pothole-riddled roads and streets.

This follows a public campaign by the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party and Team Sugar South Africa (TSSA) last week to mobilize their members to fix the potholes mainly in the densely populated Madadeni township, thus shaming the municipality’s leadership.

The party is also under fire for failing to keep the town clean and for failing to fix leaking sewerage and street lights in the central business district.

Following the outcry and the initiative by the two political parties, the municipality said through the ongoing active pothole patching program, its technical department is working tirelessly to ensure that roads are safe and accessible for all residents.

“With various teams deployed across the area, our road maintenance efforts include pothole patching, light grading, and storm-water cleaning. We kindly request residents to bear with us as we work diligently to improve the infrastructure, understanding that completing all roads may take time,” the municipality said in a statement.

“It is of knowledge that the state of Newcastle’s roads has been a persistent concern, with potholes posing a significant challenge to safe travel.

“However, under the leadership of our Mayor, Cllr DX (Xolani) Dube we have made significant efforts to collaborate with various sectors to address this challenge. This partnership aims to leverage additional resources and expertise to improve road conditions.

“Our commitment to delivering quality services is unwavering, and our pothole repair efforts demonstrate this dedication. By maintaining and improving our infrastructure, we strive to enhance the quality of life for our community.”