Dear Dr Thembekwayo

Hourable Minister

My name is Linda Ngongoma. I am a 33 year old male from Durban. I am an educator and a law abiding citizen. On the 11th of June 2023. I was a victim of a motor vehicle accident. My wife and I, and three of her friends were coming from a funeral of one of her close friends. On our way back we hit this gigantic pothole and the the front tires burst and the car lost control, as much as i tried to regain control. The car swerved, hit the bunker and overturned 3 or 4 times until it landed on its side. This was a very traumatic experience for us all as we are all parents with toddles. At the time we taught we would die. What is even more upsetting is that people who use the road often stopped and told us that they have been reporting this road to authorities and nothing is being done, accidents are a common trend on this road. The road in question is the R622 near Bayonne Dairy Farm at Niekerks Fontein in Mooi River. My car is beyond repairs. My wallet was stolen by by-passers that helped us out of the overturned car. Fortunately no lives were lost but we suffered injuries. My wife and I don’t have a car anymore. We used our car to travel to work, take our kids to school, do groceries, going to church, visiting our parents, taking our kids to the doctor and everyday travel. We reported the accident at a police station, and have an AR number. I was told i cannot claim from the RAF as the driver even if, I believe I wasn’t at fault. I could have lost my life or even worse all five of us in the vehicle could have died and left all our babies as orphans due to a pothole that has be reported countless times but nothing is done. My wife and I would like to compensated for our vehicle that is now beyond repairs. As a tax paying South African and a voting South African I feel let down by the Government and the Department of Transport. Not so long ago former minister Hourable Fikile Mbalula announced operation vala zonke, but is it being implemented? Clearly not. More people are going to damage their cars or even worse die at this spot as the pothole spans across the to lanes of the road. It is really disappointing and dis-heartening to know that our road are in such condition. I have attached pictures i took of the pothole and our vehicle. Please find it in your Hourable heart to assist us in this matter


Regards
Linda Mhlengi Ngongoma