Residents raise funds to build own bridge
This came after residents threatened to protest because water trucks were unable to cross to their side to deliver water.
Residents of Mountain View in Skierlik have raised money to build a bridge to get to water.
Recently they threatened a protest because tankers bringing water to the area are unable to cross to their side.
Community leader Sphiwe Khoza said the bridge does not prevent tankers only.
He said the bridge had been a problem to residents of Mountain View since 2015, preventing motorists, taxi drivers, school buses and bakery trucks from Skierlik to cross over to Mountain View.
“The bridge is man-made and we had been pleading with the local councillor to help fix it because it is no longer safe for children as well as crossing at night after it was damaged during a flood,” said Khoza.
“We desperately need it because there is a small stream between the taxi rank and Mountain View.
The bridge crosses one of the main roads to Mountain View from Skierlik Road and the taxi rank.
We are tired of waiting on the government’s promises and the councillor who does not care about residents.”
Therefore, the residents raised money to hire a TLB and trucks to get rubble and cement pipes for the bridge.
He said residents are the ones who are working tirelessly to fix the bridge for cars and trucks to cross over.
“Everyone struggles to cross – from school children, taxis to emergency vehicles and police.”
Khoza said they had been appealing to the local councillor to help fix the bridge but the pleas have been falling on deaf ears before deciding to raise money and rebuild it themselves.
He said residents have learnt not to rely on the government.
He said a resident whose wife had been a victim of attempted rape had donated R1 500.
“We have suffered for years with this bridge and if the bridge was fine and taxis were able to cross none of this criminal activity would have happened,” said Khoza.
“But we are pleased to say the bridge is almost done and we are happy to announce that the taxi association have come on board to help with hiring TLB.”
Itumeleng Manne (32) of Mountain View was seen crossing the bridge after fetching water from the other side of the bridge while carrying a six-month-old baby on her back.
She said she had no choice, but to go fetch water on the other side because the water tankers no longer deliver in Mountain View.
Therefore water is needed especially for her with a small baby. All mothers with small children find this particularly challenging.
Khoza added the issue of the bridge affects everyone and the most painful thing was that most of the people in the area were unemployed.
“Some had to contribute from their government grants,” he said.
He further said any form of donation would help complete the work quickly.
He said bags of cement, rocks, sand, concrete and steel bars were used to build the crossing.
“We want to build a permanent and strong bridge that will last forever.
We could have waited forever if we were to wait for the authorities to build the crossing bridge.”
Khoza said they would hopefully finish building the bridge, wait to see if it works fine then help other areas that desperately need bridges.
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