Sanral (the South African National Roads Agency) closed the bridge between Wedela and the Wedela graveyard after it was badly damaged by flood water in the first week of January. The officials placed barrier tape at the entrance to the road from the road between the N12 and Blyvoor. They dumped heaps of soil near this entrance and on the other side of the bridge, closer to Wedela.
When the Herald asked the authorities in January, no one could say when the bridge would be repaired, or the road reopened. As this road is a significant access route to Wedela, residents chose to ignore the safety precautions. Someone removed the barrier tape and the heaps of gravel on either side of the bridge. As a result, motorists can use the bridge again, even though what is left is barely broader than a minibus taxi.
Someone placed some of the stones blocking access to the bridge around the edge of the cavity washed out on the side of the bridge. Drivers using the bridge have to drive very slowly to keep the vehicles on the road surface.
The dangerous bridge seems to be a popular route because several drivers crossed when the Herald checked on Friday. The publication pointed this out to the Merafong City Local Municipality and Sanral on Tuesday and again asked about the repairs and time frames.
Neither authority had responded by the deadline.