The vehicle accident in which the wife of Legislature Secretary Mzukisi Mpahlwa was seriously injured on Thursday, morning, (subs: 1 Oct) has again put the spotlight on the state of the road between Peddie and King William’s Town.
Mr. Mpahlwa’s wife, Misiwe, and their oldest son, Olwethu, were in the vehicle when the accident happened. Mrs. Mpahlwa was first admitted to a hospital in Peddie, but has since been transferred to St Dominic’s private hospital in East London. Their son escaped with minor injuries.
This piece of road forms part of the N2 and connects East-London and King William’s Town to Grahamstown and onwards to Port Elizabeth. It carries large numbers of traffic each day, including business people, people from the outer rural areas, students and tourists. This busy road is one of the main arteries connecting the two largest cities in the province. However, this road remains in a dismal state.
It is narrow and in serious need of upgrading. The millions spent on that road in patchwork, gets washed away as soon as it rains. As spokesperson for roads for many years, I have repeatedly asked that the Eastern Cape government gives priority to this route.
The DA once again calls on the MEC for Transport, Ms. Gishma Barry, to urgently address a sort and long-term plan to upgrade this road and give the people that have no choice but to use that road, peace of mind regarding their safety and that of their loved ones.
The DA wishes Mr. Mpahlwa’s spouse a speedy recovery from her injuries.
For further information, please contact Pine Pienaar, MPL on 082 446 1888
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