The one province in South Africa with roads so bad they’re a human rights violation

The Eastern Cape’s road infrastructure crisis has been deemed a human rights violation by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), highlighting the devastating impact of deteriorating roads on communities.

Years of neglect and a severe maintenance backlog have left roads riddled with potholes, washed-out bridges, and impassable routes, making daily life a struggle for residents.

For many in the province’s rural towns, poor roads are not just an inconvenience but a barrier to survival.

Ambulances are often unable to reach critically ill patients, leading to preventable deaths.

Children in remote areas struggle to get to school, and entire villages are frequently cut off from essential supplies when heavy rains wash away roads.

Local businesses, particularly those in transport and agriculture, face mounting losses as road conditions damage vehicles and delay deliveries.

The Eastern Cape Department of Transport (ECDoT) has acknowledged the problem, revealing that out of the province’s 42,000 km road network, not a single road has been rated as “very good” since 1996.

The province lags significantly behind the rest of the country in infrastructure development, with only 9% of its roads paved, compared to the national average of 25%.

Eileen Carter, Provincial Manager of the SAHRC in the Eastern Cape, stressed the severity of the situation, stating that unless the National Treasury intervenes to address the backlog, these human rights violations will persist.

The state of the province’s roads was revealed in a report published by the SAHRC at the end of 2024.

The report confirms that the current state of the roads has turned basic daily activities into insurmountable challenges, affecting access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.

Political opposition parties have also raised concerns. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised ongoing budget cuts, warning that the situation is deteriorating.

Kabelo Mogatosi, DA Transport Portfolio Member, pointed out that the maintenance budget has been slashed by R220 million.

Given the current budget trajectory, it would take until 2050 to fully address the backlog, meaning an entire generation will continue to suffer from poor infrastructure.

The financial strain on the province is significant. The ECDoT estimates that it would need R30.5 billion just to clear the existing maintenance backlog.

A further R17.2 billion is required to re-gravel unpaved roads, while an additional R48 billion is needed for the reseal and rehabilitation of paved roads.

However, with an annual budget allocation of only R700 million, the department is only able to repair about 42km of roads each year—an insignificant fraction of what is required.

The crisis has also taken a toll on the taxi industry, which is the backbone of public transport in the province.

The collapse of the Matanzima Bridge forced commuters onto alternative routes that were not designed to handle heavy traffic, causing further damage and frustration.

Taxi operators warn that if road conditions do not improve, competition for viable routes may lead to increased conflict among drivers.

Beyond daily frustrations, the poor road conditions are exacerbating economic hardship.

Businesses struggle to transport goods efficiently, and tourism—a potential source of economic growth for the province—is being stifled due to inaccessible roads leading to key attractions.

The SAHRC has called for urgent intervention from the National Treasury to fast-track repairs and halt the deepening crisis.

In response, the ECDoT has developed a four-phase plan aimed at maintaining existing infrastructure, improving scholar transport, and ensuring access to critical services such as hospitals, schools, and key economic hubs.

However, with the current financial constraints, progress remains slow, and many communities remain stranded in a cycle of neglect.

The crumbling infrastructure of the Eastern Cape is more than just a logistical challenge—it is a crisis that continues to infringe upon the fundamental rights of its people every day.