DURBAN - Torrential rainfall has caused severe damage to several roads and makeshift bridges in Emangwaneni village near Bergville, in KwaZulu-Natal.
Residents could not leave their homes to travel to work and school because two bridges linking the village to the town of Bergville had washed away. Musa Manzini, a resident, told the Daily News on Monday that pupils had to walk long distances to school.
Manzini appealed to government officials to conduct an in loco inspection of the area to hear their grievances and see the appalling road conditions.
Manzini said that years ago the municipality had built a wooden bridge for people to cross over the Tonyelane River, but it had washed away, cutting off a section of the community from the main town.
“We have been complaining about these roads for many years. We want to plead with the government to help us because every summer we experience the same problem. We wish officials would visit the area before presenting their budget to ensure that these road works are allocated money to be fixed urgently,” said Manzini.
He was concerned about sick people and senior citizens who could not access chronic medication.
Okhahlamba Municipality mayor Vikizitha Mlotshwa said he was aware of the problem and had informed the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, under whose jurisdiction the road maintenance fell.
Department spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane said the department had a programme of managing and improving most rural roads in the province, and that this road was part of it.
Daily News