Question NW317 to the Minister of Transport
06 March 2023 - NW317
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Transport
What urgent steps of intervention has (a) he, (b) his department and/or (c) agencies reporting to him taken regarding the landslide and rock falls in De Beers Nek, Schoemanskloof in Mpumalanga which caused road closures?
Reply:
The recent incessant heavy rains in many areas of the country have resulted in saturation of the soil and loosening of soil and causing landslides and rockfall on some slopes along some of the roads. The mudslides and rockfall that fell onto the N4 in Schoemanskloof were cleared the same day by the road authority. A similar occurrence on the R36 from Bambi towards Mashishing (Lydenburg) was also cleared the same day of occurrence. The respective road authorities for the two roads, SANRAL (TRAC) and Mpumalanga Public Works, Roads and Transport are constantly monitoring the road sections to ensure any recurrence can be attended to with minimum disruption of traffic movement and also to ensure all road users are safe at all times. It must be noted that the slopes are stable and hold firm under normal rainfall conditions.