Matulwaneng access bridge in Schoonoord completed

SEKHUKHUNE – After years of struggling with no access bridge, residents of Matulwaneng in Schoonoord were ecstatic when they were officially handed over a new bridge on July 23.

The handover was done by the MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta), Basikopo Makamu, as well as the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality’s (MLM) mayor, Minah Bahula.

“We are indeed proud that apart from the bridge, we also completed a one-kilometre paved road. During the building of this bridge we managed to create job opportunities for more than 20 locals through our EPWP programme. Local businesses also benefited as we procured cement and fuel from them during the project, ” said Bahula.

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Makamu congratulated the municipality for the sterling work done on the project.”Our communities are empowered through sustainable services that change their lives forever. Gone are the days when children will cross streams to get to schools.

“Not all locals accepted the completion of the project. Some claimed that the contractors did shoddy work on the R9 million access bridge.

“This bridge looks cheaper than the R9 million used. Let’s hope the bridge won’t erode during the rainy seasons,” said resident Thapelo Matlala.

Another resident, Michael Mothapo, said the bridge was not fully completed, “It’s a hazardous bridge, let the contractor finish the project, it’s not yet done. It’s even worse that MLM went ahead with the handover. The bridge cost a whopping R9 million, but there are no balustrades or at least handrails.”