The collapse of Mpumalanga’s road infrastructure has left farmers in rural areas with no other choice but to use their own funds and equipment to repair roads, even though billions were officially earmarked for road maintenance.
National government allocated R1,5 billion to the province as part of the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant (PRMG), while the provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport has a total budget of approximately R6 billion for the 2026/27 financial year.
The Department also recently procured 19 new bulldozers valued at approximately R50 million, which were officially received in March 2026 and distributed among the four districts.
These figures are in stark contrast to the reality on grass-roots level.
For example, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) branch in Piet Retief repaired 170 potholes on the D2232 between Piet Retief and Wittenberg in the past month alone.
Even though billions are budgeted and 19 new bulldozers have been procured, many farmers see no tangible improvements to the province’s roads.
The Freedom Front Plus demands greater accountability, and insists that the budgeted funds must be used for road repairs and maintenance, so that farmers no longer have to bear the burden of government’s failures.
FF+ Manifesto on Land reform: Implementing land reform that respects property rights.
Black Mustard
Vatican City: You have two cows. They were both taken advantage of as calves.
Toolmaker
Eish! – an exclamation [Ay-sh] or [ee-sh] A Khoi term usually expressed when someone experiences surprise or shock.