Residents plead with government to rebuild flood-damaged bridge
Residents in Muldersdrift are appealing to those in power to speed up the process of rebuilding the bridge on Indaba Lane as its collapse will reportedly affect 40 families and workers along with businesses in surrounding areas.
After much of the West Rand experienced heavy rainfall recently, large parts of Krugersdorp and neighbouring Roodepoort suffered infrastructure damage.
• Read initial article here: Bridge at Indaba Lane collapses
This made living conditions tough for many and the roads dangerous for motorists.
In Muldersdrift, the bridge on Indaba Lane in Muldersdrift had been washed away following heavy thunderstorms and floods. The collapse of the bridge will reportedly affect 40 families and workers along with businesses in surrounding areas.
According to councillor Shenan Cochrane, families are experiencing great difficulties with access to homes and services due to the flood-damaged bridge on Indaba Lane on March 5 which is exacerbated by the high contamination of the river by the flood-damaged Johannesburg Water bulk sewage lines.
I have advised the mayor of the urgent situation at the bridge, who as mayor, is empowered by legislation to defray the emergency budget to tend to the situation and I am awaiting his response.
”This is adding to our interventions in 2023, to save our the damaged sewerage pipes in City of Johannesburg at two rivers that were temporarily repaired. Unfortunately, those pipes have again washed away and is discharging thousands of raw sewage directly into the rivers and affecting the biodiversity of Muldersdrift.”
It was also confirmed that there are health risks as the water is highly contaminated by the two bulk sewerage lines damaged in the flood in Honeydew.
“This contaminated water can cause serious illnesses. Residents are advised to ask all community members to avoid contact with the water and stop fishing until further notice. As high foam is still developing at weirs and bridges showing the high waste content.”
The Krugersdorp News approached Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) for clarity on the matter.
According to MCLM communications officer, Refilwe Mahlangu, while there was a budget allocated by MCLM for infrastructure and utilities as the News previously reported for the 2024/2025 financial year, we can confirm that no budget has been allocated yet.
Repairs cannot be funded under the operational budget as the work falls under capital projects.
“There is no capital budget allocated for this repair in the current financial year, however, the Department of Infrastructure will lead the planned bridge repair with support from the Environmental Management Department when activities might trigger or require compliance with one of the National Environmental Management Act conditions.”
No timeline has been given as to when the bridge will be fixed by MCLM despite confirmation that it will be given attention.
Meanwhile, residents and workers will have to use alternative routes and find other solutions until the bridge is repaired. Shenan confirmed that residents stranded on the other side of the river are travelling up over the mountain and through private properties to access roads in Ruimsig. Unfortunately, those without cars are climbing through the river to reach work.
Ephraim Mafusa works at a home in the area and confirmed that he has had to climb over debris to get to the other side of the bridge and get to their place of work.
It’s not safe and using alternative routes around Ruimsig is time-consuming and we have to tell our employers that we are going to be late, which then becomes an inconvenience because it delays our tasks on the job.”
The News approached City of Johannesburg to get clarity over the damage, however, no feedback was given at the time of print. Their feedback will be published once received.
