OPINION: South Coast infrastructure crisis: A tale of two projects in turmoil

The provincial main road P3-1, the R102, was presented to residents as a high-standard alternative to the N2 toll route.

Stretching 17.5km from the Mzimkhulu River bridge to the Umzumbe River bridge, this R775m investment was meant to revitalise the economic corridor between Port Shepstone and Hibberdene.

Nearly a year after construction began in March 2025, it has instead become a symbol of frustration and delay under the KZN Department of Transport (DoT) and the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.

As of early 2026, the rehabilitation is officially 16 weeks behind schedule. About 44% of the contract period has elapsed, yet only 8% of the work has been completed.

The appointed contractor, Jamjo Civils (Pty) Ltd, was issued with two slow progress letters last year for failing to provide sufficient plant and resources on site.

Reports of cashflow constraints and non-payment of suppliers and labourers have further raised concerns.

At present, little to no visible work is taking place. This raises serious questions about project planning, oversight and whether contract termination is being considered if performance does not improve.

Technical setbacks have compounded the delay.

Work was halted after two C3 trial sections failed due to defective cement mix designs.

One trial section passed in September 2025, but a further trial scheduled for November was not conducted.

A new subcontractor is reportedly expected to undertake additional C3 trials soon. Meanwhile, road users continue to navigate deteriorating surfaces and growing potholes.

Community frustration has also grown

Locked gates at the Link Road site office and limited communication have angered businesses in Umtentweni. Protests and site disruptions have reportedly contributed to approximately four weeks of delay.

The situation is further complicated by the emergency repairs to the Mzimkhulu River bridge, Bridge 1221.

Built in 1958, the bridge sustained structural damage after flooding caused Pier 2 to rotate, damaging the edge beam. The R199.5m repair project, undertaken by Yena Uyabusa Trading (Pty) Ltd, resulted in the bridge being closed for six months in 2025.

The bridge reopened to a single-lane stop-and-go system on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

Current progress stands at 56%, compared to a planned 71.7%. Completion has been revised to Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Delays on the bridge project have been attributed to silt dredging challenges, high tides affecting pier stabilisation, a suspension linked to the DoT’s Standard Chart of Accounts transition, and heritage-related stoppages.

An additional concern is the interdependence of the two projects. The bridge contractor has completed concrete patching on the deck, but the final asphalt surfacing falls under the R102 contractor’s scope of work. Because the R102 project is behind schedule, the bridge remains on a gravel and concrete surface, preventing the restoration of full two-way traffic.

The human and economic costs are mounting

While 150 work opportunities were earmarked for the R102 project and 121 for the bridge repairs. How many local labourers are benefiting from the project?

Residents in Wards 12, 13, 16 and 18 continue to endure traffic congestion, vehicle damage and business losses.

Toll waivers at Oribi Plaza were initially granted during the full bridge closure but have since fallen away following the reopening to single-lane traffic.

The R102 completion date has been revised to October 2027.

With the bridge now expected to be completed in May 2026, communities along the South Coast are left questioning accountability, oversight and urgency.

We urge the DoT and Duma to provide clear timelines, transparent communication and decisive intervention where required. Our communities rely on this infrastructure. Progress must match promises.

CREDIT TO NAZIR SHAIKH
WRITTEN BY SHARON COOPER

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