FROM a distance, the road looks normal but when you drive on it, it feels like your car is getting hammered.
Local residents said the only cars that can survive on this road are 4x4s, and mid-sized bakkies and SUVs.
Residents from Matatiele, Eastern Cape claimed that they have protested several times but eventually gave up.
Thabo Letsopa said: "We feel that our municipality has let us down by awarding tenders to people who have no experience. It's like flushing money down the drain. You can see for yourself."
Villagers take a long time before travelling to town because there are a few bakkies.
Another resident, gogo Louisa Mohlabi said: "It's a daily struggle. We are forced to buy in bulk because the means of transport here are scarce and expensive."
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Residents said the taxi drivers think twice before using this road.
In one yard, there were about four cars parked on the bricks. The owner, Dipuo Mokoatle said the exterior of his cars are still in good condition, but the tyres are damaged.
"These roads are costing us big time. We are appealing to the municipality to give us roads to make our lives easier," he said.
Luncedo Walaza, spokesman for the Matatiele Municipality, admitted that the roads are not in good condition.
"The survey of the gravelled Qacha Nek Road was done recently and about R12 billion has been allocated to repair the roads in the municipality."
