Nelson Mandela Bay (EC) residents upset about delays in repairing a collapsed bridge

JOHANNESBURG - Residents in the Kwanobuhle township, in the Eastern Cape, are growing angry over delays in repairing a collapsed bridge.

The Matanzima Bridge in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality collapsed in June last year due to heavy rainfall and soil erosion.

While the metro had initially set a six-month timeline to fix the bridge, residents are likely to wait for another year.

The municipality has confirmed R89 million has been allocated to reconstruct the bridge, with two contractors appointed for the job.

What was once a busy road linking the Kwanobuhle township to the rest of Gqeberha is now blocked off by large concrete barriers, isolating the collapsed bridge.

Taxi drivers are visibly frustrated with the slow progress in repairing the bridge, as they are forced to take a gravel detour to reach the township.

A large hole similar to sinkholes, commonly found in dolomitic areas, is hard to miss, with underground cables and drainage pipes sticking out.

Work to fix the bridge began shortly before President Cyril Ramaphosa was scheduled to visit the area last year, but community leader Thamsanqa Nkevu says the work halted shortly after his departure.

"We don't know why they are taking too long to fix this bridge. They are always making promises, but we don't see action. They said there would be work done in January, but it didn't happen. In February, they said the same thing, but it didn’t happen."

He says some are now even losing hope.