FOR more than 15 years, villagers have struggled to connect to nearby villages and shopping centres due to an unfinished bridge.
Although the bridge was not completed, villagers from Bismark outside Tzaneen in Limpopo were forced to use it to get to the other side.
The Mongwana Bridge on the D3901 eventually gave way and collapsed on Wednesday, 11 October when a truck tried to pass through.
The bridge, which connects Bismark Village with the nearby villages of Bellville and Tickyline, as well as Mahlakung Mall and Thusong Centre, was supposed to be completed in 2005, but was abandoned due to alleged poor workmanship and structural problems.
Villagers and motorists are now forced to make other plans to cross the river, putting the lives of people at risk.
ALSO READ:
Villagers said the collapsed bridge will affect economic activities in their community and accessibility to important services.
"We have entered the rainy season, so this means that we won’t get services from our municipality, ambulances, police and goods from shops because our village will be inaccessible. We can’t live like this,” said Molebogeng Ralefatane (34)
Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure spokesman Witness Tiva said MEC Nkakareng Rakgoale has directed the management of Roads Agency Limpopo and the department to immediately send a team of engineers to conduct assessments and establish what happened.
"They will then prepare a report that will help us come up with short- and long-term solutions," he said.
