Residents of Sabie, a picturesque tourist town in Mpumalanga nestled along the renowned Panorama Route, are expressing growing frustration over deteriorating service delivery, with poor road conditions, non-functional street lights, and challenges with electricity and water supply at the forefront of their concerns.
The once-idyllic town, famous for its stunning natural attractions, is reportedly “crumbling,” according to locals. Residents describe streets riddled with potholes—so severe that driving has become nearly impossible in some areas. Street lights remain broken, exacerbating safety issues, particularly at night.
One retiree who moved to Sabie seven years ago for its beauty lamented the decline: “I moved here 7 years ago to come and retire because it was a beautiful little town. Now it’s gone.” Another resident highlighted the dire state of the roads, showing visible damage and noting that vehicles can no longer navigate them safely.
A particularly alarming incident involved an elderly person in their 80s requiring ambulance assistance late at night. When paramedics arrived around 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM, the ambulance became stuck in the driveway due to the poor road conditions and was unable to transport the patient to the hospital promptly.
The impact extends to the local economy, heavily reliant on tourism. Business owners report a sharp decline in visitors, with tour buses no longer stopping in the area. “Our business has changed dramatically,” one said. “We are no more seeing tour buses that used to visit us. The roads are impossible and the volume has really dropped.” Previously, the town attracted a diverse range of international guests, but now it primarily draws local South African visitors with vehicles capable of handling the rough terrain.
Residents attribute the neglect to the Thaba Chweu Municipality, which they accuse of failing to fulfill its responsibilities despite ongoing payments of rates and taxes. Community members express despondency and hopelessness, emphasizing that they continue to pay what is due but see no improvements in streets, electricity, or water services.
In response, The municipal Mayor Fridah Nkadimenga denied claims of outright neglect, attributing the road damage primarily to recent heavy rains. The municipality has reportedly requested assistance from the Department of Public Works and secured a jet patcher to address the issues. Repairs have already begun in nearby Graskop this week, with plans to move to Sabie next to tackle damaged roads systematically.
Despite these assurances, residents fear that the decline in infrastructure and services could transform the once-thriving tourist destination into a “ghost town,” threatening both quality of life and economic vitality in the area.
