‘Mantšali Phakoana
Hundreds of residents from 10 villages in Mafeteng district are forced to endure hardships after a temporary bridge across Tsoaing river collapsed four times since it was built in 2022.
The latest it was washed away was this past Sunday and the villagers say they now fear for their lives each time they use the bridge.
Construction of the M44.5 million main bridge commenced on 31 May 2023, for 12 months.
The villagers said while they appreciate government’s initiative to construct a permanent bridge, the temporary one is endangering their lives.
In separate interviews with theReporter this week, the disgruntled villagers also questioned the quality of the main bridge’s construction and want the responsible authorities to act fast before any lives are lost.
The temporary bridge constructed by China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) was first swept away by heavy rains in December 2022, the same month it was built.
It also gave in to pressure last month before collapsing again this past Sunday.
The bridge over Tsoaing river between Ha Ramatšeliso and Ha Makhakhe was built to enable road traffic movement while construction of the major bridge that collapsed in 2020 is in progress.
The villagers from Thaba-Tšoeu Ha Paki, Ha Makhakhe, Ribaneng, Malea-lea, Matelile, Takalatsa, Letšeng, Motsekuoa, Tajane, Ha Ramatšeliso, and Ha Rannakoe say they have been facing hardships in accessing essential services such as health facilities, shopping, and schools during heavy rains.
A Ha Rannakoe villager, ‘Matseko Malepanyana, narrated how their lives have been negatively impacted by the collapse of the bridge.
The constant collapse of the temporary one has not helped matters, Malepanyana said.
She noted that it has been a challenge for them to reach Emmaus Health Centre. Their children also find it difficult to reach Mathula High, St Thomas High, Mohlakeng and Emmaus primary schools and as a result, some miss out on school altogether when it rains heavily.
“Our lives have become miserable since 2020 after the main bridge collapsed. We were expecting that by now, re-construction would be done but this has not been the case,” she cried out.
Malepanyana added that the sod-turning to mark the start of the project was done by prime minister Sam Matekane in May while construction commenced in September 2023.
She also pointed out that they are now forced to use the Thaba-Tšoeu road to reach Mafeteng town and other areas, which is very long and time consuming.
“Children also endure the daily risk of crossing the Tsoaing river to school. The distance they have to travel during rainy days is long and punishing,” Malepanyana said, adding that sometimes the children are forced to miss school for the better part of the week during rainy days.
Councillor for Ramoetsana Electoral Division, Qamako Mahao said the challenge of the temporary bridge has been there for a long time before his appointment last year.
Mahao who visited the site at the time of the interview on Wednesday this week expressed disappointment at what he described as “a disaster.”
He said the situation could have been avoided had the relevant authorities responded on time to their calls to build a permanent bridge.
“The main bridge collapsed in 2020, but reconstruction only commenced last year. Perhaps the temporary bridge would have been used for a short time had this been considered a national crisis,” Mahao bemoaned.
Mahao said there is an urgent need for the ministry of local government, home affairs and police to maintain the already existing road that passes through Ha Rannakoe and Ha Seeiso and used by taxi operators.
He also pointed out that the road becomes slippery and difficult to use when it rains.
A driver lost control of his vehicle early this month and hit a house in Ha Rannakoe village. Luckily, there was no one inside during the mishap, he added.
“To avoid such incidents, there is an urgent need to maintain the road so that travellers use it as an alternative, especially because it does not cut across the river,” Mahao urged, adding that he has submitted this proposal to Mafeteng district council.
Chairperson of Southern Region Transport, Mosebo Tšukulu said lack of a proper bridge has negatively affected their business, especially during heavy rains.
He added that when the Tsoaing river is over flowing, taxis are forced to use the Thaba-Tšoeu road, which is way longer than they should have taken to reach Mafeteng town on their way to Matelile and other areas.
“Sometimes drivers only realise that the river is over overflowing when they reach the bridge. They are then forced to go back to Thaba-Tšoeu, a distance which takes about two hours, then another hour to their destinations depending on where the passengers are going. This consumes a lot of time and fuel,” he noted.
Tšukulu further called on CGC to speed up the construction of the main bridge because” it is clear that they have failed with the temporary one. It is difficult to use during heavy rains.”
On the other hand, the authorities sang a different tune as they seemed to downplay the gravity of the situation.
Contacted for comment this week, the Roads Directorate public relations manager Nozesolo Matela said the collapsed temporary bridge was low laying and not expected to survive long.
She was however, quick to point out that the reconstruction of the temporary crossing would not affect the contract amount of M44,480,798.25.
Asked whether construction of the main bridge was on schedule, Matela pointed out the contractor was only two weeks behind.
The District Administrator for Mafeteng, Bonang Moranye said CGC had made another way for vehicles to cross the river, even though it is not safe during rainy days because of its flatness.
