Residents of KwaNobuhle will have to spend up to two years using only one entrance and exit when they travel to and from the township.
On Wednesday, officials from the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality revealed that fixing the collapsed Matanzima bridge in the flood-ravaged Kariega township would take at least 18-24 months.
The bridge collapsed during the June 1 floods, putting extreme pressure on Ndlambe, Ngangelizwe and Nomakhwezana roads.
Infrastructure and engineering acting executive director Joseph Tsatsire said two bridges on Matanzima Road were damaged, with the worst-affected structure being the one near the Laetitia Bam clinic.
“The Laetitia Bam bridge collapsed on June 1 and the second one sustained damages at the same time.
“What we did was conduct an assessment and we appointed engineers and we did costing.
“The cost was just under R50m for both bridges,” he said.
“We appointed a consultant to do designs and contractors will be able to start working once we get money from the National Treasury.”
In the interim, residents leaving and entering the township will have to use Nomakhwezana Road.
Tsatsire said a third bridge, the Cuyler bridge, had sustained minor damage, which was not structural in nature, during the October 22 floods.
“We appointed consultants to check the damage and there was no structural damage.
“The work needed there is minimal and we’re hoping by next week we can start working and the work will take a month.
“Repair and construction work, we’re looking at 18-24 months for both [Matanzima Road] bridges to be fixed,” Tsatsire said.
Once the Cuyler bridge is repaired, KwaNobuhle residents will have the option of taking that route.
On Wednesday, Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe held a public meeting with KwaNobuhle residents at the Babs Madlakane Community Hall to update them on the progress being made by the municipality in addressing the effects of the floods.
Lobishe said the city was aware of residents’ frustration, especially because of the collapsed bridge and the damage sustained by the Cuyler bridge.
“We had delays in coming as the municipality to respond to questions about the bridge,” she said.
“We were waiting on a report from the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent but we received the report in September and now we’re in the process of planning ahead.
“I won’t stand in front of you and lie. I won’t say what you want me to say just to please you, then tomorrow you call me a liar.
“The disaster money we applied for has not arrived.
“We received a commitment that a letter of commitment would be sent on November 15 and the Treasury is committing on R53m,” Lobishe said.
The municipality submitted an application after the June floods for R218m in relief to fix damaged electricity infrastructure, roads, a collapsed bridge and for the refurbishment of homes.
It was estimated at the time that the damage would total R1bn.
Last week, after tabling his medium-term budget speech, finance minister Enoch Godongwana said an amount of R89m had been approved by the Treasury but that final approval rested with parliament’s finance and appropriations committee.
During her speech, Lobishe also touched on KwaNobuhle’s electricity issues, saying many residents were connected illegally.
“Illegal connections are also adding pressure on the system, adding to the power outages in the township.
“Electricity belongs to the municipality.
“Don’t sell electricity and if you are not the municipality, we’ll have you arrested.
“Last week, about 80% of the houses we responded to after having issues after the floods, we found they had connected illegally.
“We’re preparing an application to the court and you’ll be forced to pay for the illegal connection.
“This will be the second time we’re giving amnesty. Come forward now and ask for amnesty.
“We’re pleading to residents not to steal — buy electricity because the sale of electricity helps us in delivering the services you need,” Lobishe said.
During the meeting, residents voiced their frustration at a number of issues, ranging from overflowing drains that caused effluent to seep into their lounges, to crime and the need for bushes to be cleared to deter thugs from preying on passers-by.
Coach Gxothiwe said residents in his street accused the municipality of prioritising the Cuyler bridge over the one in the township.
“We knew the Cuyler bridge would be fixed faster because it’s in town.
“We’re the poorest of the poor and always overlooked.
“Drive to Mabhida Street in Gunguluza and we’ve had leaks in that street for two years.
“We can’t even hold funerals in our yards because they’re flooded.
“On safety, not a day goes by where there isn’t a murder. Can you please intervene?”
An elderly woman who uses the Laetitia Bam clinic said patients were constantly being robbed on their way to fetch their medication.
“A lot of us are still going to default on our medication because when we’re going to Laetitia Bam, we leave our homes at 4am, risking our lives, because they take a specific number of patients depending which side of the clinic you’re going to.
“There are bushes as you walk to Laetitia Bam and we get robbed.
“Can you please look into bush clearing [along] the route leading to Laetitia Bam because it’s not safe for us,” the woman said.
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