Bypass bridge repaired and ready for use

Following the EFF’s oversight visit to the Tekwane South bridges that collapsed after the recent heavy rainfall, the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport has finally delivered on its promise of repairing the bypass bridge. The bridge, which was erected last year to ease off traffic congestion, was swept away in a flood a month ago, leaving residents and motorists stranded once again.

This bridge links Tekwane South, Entokozweni and KaNyamazane with the outside world. After it had collapsed, the community members tried in vain to get government’s attention, until the EFF intervened by visiting the area and promised to put pressure on authorities to fix the damaged bridges quickly.

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Taxi operators also threatened to stage another protest if government failed to repair the bridges and damaged roads within 30 days. Two weeks ago taxi operators took their fight to the streets when they barricaded the main roads of some of the city’s biggest townships, such as KaNyamazane and Pienaar in an attempt to raise their concerns about the bad state of the roads within the City of Mbombela.

Bongani Dhlamini, the spokesperson for the department, said the work on the bypass was done, and assured commuters it was safe to use the temporary road until reconstruction of the main bridge is completed. A commuter, Siphokazi Malebye, said, “I am happy to see the temporary bridge fixed, because this means that the heavy load of traffic will lessen.

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We will not have to wake up early anymore just to be delayed at the bridge. I have also seen promising progress on the main bridge and I hope that the department will finish what they started without us having to go back to the streets.”