A lack of maintenance has led to all but one Northern Cape weighbridge falling into a state of utter disrepair, resulting in low revenue collection for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.
An oversight inspection to the Kimberley Weighbridge this week confirmed long term neglect. The weighbridge site was exposed and enclosures and building material have been vandalised and are in the process of being carried away. The air conditioner has also seemingly been vandalised in the office on the property.
The only operable weighbridge is situated in Springbok on the N7, with the remaining two in Colesberg and Upington in a similar state as the Kimberley weighbridge.
The department revealed that the current budget only makes provision for annual calibration and cannot carry the costs of repairs and updating technology at these sites. They further claim that R8 million is needed to repair weighbridges in the province. The DA is questioning this exorbitant amount and sourcing our own quotes, as their costing does not match up with going rates.
In the absence of functional weighbridges, our roads will continue to deteriorate under overloaded and heavy-duty vehicles and illegal substances will also continue crossing our borders without proper inspections conducted at weighbridges.
The condition of weighbridges also negatively affects the province’s revenue collection capacity. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned that, at a time when the province’s fiscus is severely constrained, there seems to be no commitment from the department to urgently address the condition of weighbridges and their revenue generating capacity.
For years the DA has been lobbying for the department to address the outdated technology and maintenance of the Northern Cape’s weighbridges, built almost 30 years ago. We will continue to place pressure on the department and have requested an audience with the MEC to discuss the future plans for provincial weighbridges.