VAALBANK/ MABITSI
Residents have blamed poor workmanship and shoddy work on the collapse of an access bridge that links Mabitsi and Vaalbank in the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality.
The bridge worsened after the recent summer rains in the area. The residents claim they don’t feel safe driving over the bridge and this has led to locals lacking essential services.
They have appealed to government to attend to it as a matter of urgency. When Sekhukhune Times visited the area, this publication noticed that only one side of the driveway is remained while the other part has collapsed.
Speaking after the picture of the collapsed bridge was shared on Sekhukhune Times’s sister publication, the Sekhukhune Dispatch, DA Councilor at the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Flip Jacobs said the recent damage to the Mabitsi–Vaalbank bridge is not an isolated incident.
He said it is the predictable result of ignored warnings and possible failures in oversight within the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality.
“In December 2023, oversight inspections highlighted serious concerns regarding the quality of road and bridge construction in Mabitsi, including poor materials, inadequate drainage, and a lack of proper foundational work. These concerns were formally raised, yet no corrective action was taken.
“Today, residents are paying the price. A critical access route is partially collapsed, putting lives at risk and cutting communities off from schools, healthcare, and economic activity,” said Jacobs.
He also blamed lack of accountability from the local municipality . “When infrastructure fails repeatedly without consequence, it points to systemic governance failures—not bad luck.
“The community deserves clear answers, a full independent structural assessment, and immediate intervention to rebuild the bridge to proper standards.”
This publication contacted, the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality spokesperson Life Nape, who said the bridge was constructed within specification.
“The issue here, is we are dealing with inclement weather as you know Sekhukhune was also declared disaster area due to recent rains.
The bridge will be repaired and additional barrel to be added by the municipality injunction with the Limpopo department of Public works.”
Nape said the bridge was inspected for compliancy and approved and that it did not collapse because of poor workmanship.
“The collapse was due to heavy storms that is why the Sekhukhune district was declared a disaster area. The completion is planned for 3 months.”