GEORGE NEWS - George Mayor Leon van Wyk did not request the closure of the Voëlklip road and never spoke to any journalist about the matter. This came to light in a statement by George Municipality earlier today, following the publication of misinformation in the media.
According to the municipality, the comments first appeared in the Weekend Argus on Sunday (First Edition) 10 April.
“…it is stated that he as mayor, personally requested the closure of the Voëlklip Road, following the recent tragic deaths of an elderly couple on Sunday 3 April,” reads the statement by George Municipality. Van Wyk declared that he did not speak to any journalist on the matter.
The statement further reads: “While initially it was thought he had been misquoted, it would now appear that the person telephonically contacted by the journalist, in fact misrepresented himself as the mayor of George. The municipality regards this in a very serious light and is investigating the matter.”
Van Wyk categorically stated that he is opposed to the closure of the Voëlklip Road. He said it has repeatedly been highlighted that it is unfortunately the actions of road users themselves, and not the road infrastructure, that have led to a number of incidents over the years.
“As indicated by the Western Cape Department of Transport, the request to close the road must be made by the owner whose property the road runs on. It is clear that the road (infrastructure) is not the problem but driver behaviour.”
Several safety measures fully supported by Van Wyk have already been put in place. George Herald reported last year (11 March 2021) on safety barriers erected along certain sections of the road.
A total of 50 permanent 1,5m poles where erected along Hansie se Bank, a viewpoint on the Voëlklip road, and large rocks were installed at the informal parking area. Although supported by Van Wyk, these installations were done by a private company, and not by George Municipality.
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