The deadly R522 between Louis Trichardt and Vivo has claimed another life.
Eighty-three-year-old Simon Ndou, a local farmer, died in an accident on 12 February near Tshikodobo in the Kutama area. Extremely poor and dangerous road conditions are again said to have contributed to the crash. Potholes and stray animals remain a constant hazard, sparking renewed anger among community members.
Vhembe police spokesperson Capt Vuledzani Dathi said Ndou apparently lost control of his vehicle, which then overturned.
The R522 is frequently described as a “deathtrap” or “road of death” because of its severe state of disrepair. Over the years, it has deteriorated from a tarred surface into what residents describe as a hazardous dirt track.
In April 2024, a rehabilitation project began, but the contractor, Tycofield, completed only 15% of the work before the contract was terminated in November 2024 for poor performance. Sections of the road were left with the tar surface completely removed, making them almost undrivable.
In November 2025, Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) introduced a new contractor, Kgahlodi Catering and Projects, to maintain a 13 km stretch of the road. The nine-month project is valued at about R42 million.
Despite this, scepticism remains. RAL’s budget dropped from R2.886 billion in 2024/25 to under R1 billion in subsequent years, raising concerns that the road will receive only minor “preventative maintenance” instead of a full upgrade.
In the meantime, the road continues to be a “deathtrap” for motorists. The chairperson of the Zoutpansberg Development Forum (ZCDF), Mr Patrick Sikhutshi, expressed condolences to the family and said their loved one would always be remembered.
“Understandably, it is very difficult to continue with everyday life after such a traumatic experience and the family need support,” he said.
Sikhutshi said Sinthumule and Kutama were not being taken as seriously as other communities regarding their rights to public participation in governance. He said they planned to approach the office of the Public Protector to intervene.
He expressed frustration at what he described as empty promises from the Department of Public Works and RAL regarding the upgrade of the R522.
Another resident, Mr Skwera Modaku, said the condition of the road has turned their lives into a living hell and that, despite promises, there have been no improvements.
“Taxi and bus owners are tired of having their precious minibuses run along this road because it wears down their vehicles in a matter of a few weeks. It is difficult to drive on this road when it has rained. We need a proper road here,” he said.