THE Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is working with stakeholders to urgently repair damaged buildings and provide support to install bridges to communities in need, following recent flooding in KwaZulu-Natal.
This as DPWI Minister, Patricia de Lille, and Deputy Minister Noxolo Kiviet, this week inspected damages caused by the floods.
De Lille said that around 50 state-owned buildings under the custodianship of the department have been damaged by the inclement weather.
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In addition, a multi-disciplinary team of built environment professionals such as engineers, architects and quantity surveyors to assist with assessments and a plan of action for repairs under DPWI’s responsibilities has been formed.
The damaged buildings include 27 magistrate’s courts, 11 police stations, 11 military bases and one museum. The damages include leaking roofs and flood damage to infrastructure.
Storms in some parts have damaged infrastructure such as roads, bridges, reticulation networks, residential homes, business and public buildings.
Also Read: KZN floods: Crisis of national proportions
Apart from repairing damaged State-owned buildings, the DPWI and Department of Defence have entered into an agreement to collaborate in the installation of Modular Steel Bridges in the country.
In total, 24 bridges will be constructed in KZN during the 2022/23 financial year.
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