Molapo residents raise flooding concerns over bridge project

Residents of Molapo are demanding that the Molapo Bridge remain closed until storm water drainage systems are installed, as outlined in the original plan presented to them.

Residents voiced their concerns during a protest held on September 4, calling for the bridge to remain closed until the necessary infrastructure is in place.

Speaking to Urban News, ActionSA MMC candidate for Transport and PR councillor Lebo Mokoka said the Molapo Bridge is almost complete and is expected to open this month.

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She said the main concern among community members is the lack of storm water drainage.

Mokoka claimed the original plan presented to residents included about eight to 10 storm water drainage systems, but currently, not a single drainage system is in place.

“In rainy seasons like this, water flows into some of the houses here. The project was not well run; it’s actually a blunder. What has been done here is a disaster. Community members want to know what the plan is now that what has been built has revealed issues affecting their houses,” she said.

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Mokoka added that they had tried to approach the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and the City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Transport for assistance, but had yet to receive a response.

She said the government had been unresponsive and that, through their protest, they were seeking to draw attention to the challenges residents are facing and the issues affecting the community.

An affected resident, Vusi Ngwenya, said that since the bridge project began, residents have experienced rainwater entering their homes whenever it rains.

Ngwenya said residents had suffered property damage as a result of the project, with some of their furniture also being damaged.

“We did try to raise these points with the relevant stakeholders, but they showed no interest in engaging with the aggrieved community. They have been avoiding us.

“The last time we spoke to them, they promised to get back to us. We even told them that we have no problem with them finishing the bridge, but the work must be done according to the plan,” he said.

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He further said residents had tried to ask those responsible for constructing the bridge where the storm water drainage system was and what their backup plan was for controlling the water, but they had failed to respond.

The concerns surrounding the project are not limited to Molapo residents, as construction workers have also raised complaints about various issues related to the project.

According to HBC contract worker Percy Ramokgadi, workers also face challenges when it comes to receiving their payments.

He said delays in payment had made it difficult for workers to meet their financial obligations.

“The company pays salaries late. The owner of the company always has excuses, and it is even a struggle to receive our back pay.

Even the treatment we receive is not great. They expect us to work quickly, but when it comes to paying us, it becomes a problem,” he said.