'No road, no votes': Giyani villagers block parties from campaigning until D3810 road rehabilitated
The 29.5-kilometre gravel road, which connects several villages in Giyani, Limpopo, is marred by poor infrastructure and patches of mud.
FILE: Rocks blockade a road during a protest. Picture: @SAPoliceService/X
GIYANI - Villages along the D3810 road in Limpopo blocked political parties from campaigning in the area, demanding the corridor be rehabilitated.
The 29.5-kilometre (km) gravel road, which connects several villages in Giyani, is marred by poor infrastructure and patches of mud.
Last week, Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu was forced to use an alternative route after protesting community members in the area forced his motorcade to turn around.
Communities along the D3810 road in Giyani claim government promised to rehabilitate the corridor in 2012 but failed to fulfil this.
Residents have resorted to ensuring the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) doesn’t set up its polling stations in the area, as they vow to boycott the upcoming general elections.
Raymond Nkuna, a community leader in Giyani, said they’re tired of being used by parties during the campaign season.
“No road, no votes and no door-to-door. They’ve promised to give us a road for years and years.”
They’ve written a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa urging him to attend to their concerns.