by Nokubonga Mthethwa
Durban - The controversial Delangokubona Business Forum has backed down, allowing the repair of a big pothole in uMlazi, and bringing relief to motorists who have had to contend with the obstacle for almost a year.
Residents found it difficult to navigate the curve in Eduardo Mondlane Street because vehicles and pedestrians were forced to use the intact side of the two-way road.
The road was repaired recently after the Daily News reported on the pothole last month, detailing the damages and cost motorists had suffered because of it.
It had worsened during the flooding last month.
Residents and motorists had complained to their councillor, Sthenjwa Nyawose, about the pothole, who said he had, in turn, reported the matter to the eThekwini Municipality, but a conflict with Delangokubona delayed the work.
Nyawose said he was grateful the road had finally been fixed.
“Thank you to the Daily News which brought attention to this matter,” he said.
“The motorist and the community are now happy Delangokubona is calm and allowing the municipality to fix the road,” he said.
Delangokubona was taken to court earlier this month by construction companies who obtained interdicts against the controversial forum, which had allegedly demanded a share in a number of construction projects and had threatened workers.
The chairman of Delangokubona, Nathi “Bhamuza” Mnyandu, confirmed the organisation had been in conflict with the municipality and accused it of making empty promises, which it claimed stood in the way of community development.
“We have decided to allow the municipality to fix the road now that the elections are around the corner.
“The municipality had promised to give us minor road tenders, but are failing to keep their promises, that was the reason we’ve been delaying the process of road fixing,” he said.