Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
SCORES of people have been left stranded after the Mtshabezi Bridge in Gwanda District, which is one of the major entry points to the mining town, was flooded throughout yesterday following persistent rains.
The bridge was built in the 1980s and is a link between the town and a number of big mines, such as Blanket Mine, as well as a link between the town and a number of rural communities.
The bridge also links the town to the Maphisa area. It was constructed as a passageway for a relatively small community.
Over the years, the town has expanded, resulting in an increase in the population and the establishment of infrastructure outside the town, such as mines and business centres and new settlements.
Daring pedestrians had to resort to an unstable suspension footbridge in order to reach their destinations.
Motorists have on several occasions called for upgrading of the narrow-built and low-lying bridge, which reportedly last flooded to this extent in 2020 due to heavy rains.
The bridge has been labelled the “death trap”, a nickname earned after recording accidents that have claimed several lives in the past after motorists failed to navigate their way properly.
Some vehicles have also been swept away after some motorists attempted to cross the bridge when the Mtshabezi River is flooded.
The bridge, which can barely accommodate one vehicle at a time, confuses some motorists about, which vehicle has the right of way. Residents from Gwanda have repeatedly called for its upgrading as it is along one of the busy routes leading into town.
Mr Brighton Ncube, a motorist and Gwanda resident, said he drives across the bridge almost every day, going to work at a nearby mine. He is one of the stranded motorists.
“Today, I failed to cross the river because it’s flooded. The rains are persisting, which means that the bridge might remain flooded for several days and we won’t manage to get across,” he said. “We have called for the upgrading of this bridge for several years, but without luck. It’s been a challenge that we have had to cross this narrow bridge and now it’s even worse with the heavy rains.”
Another motorist, Mr Mbongeni Tshuma, said he was on his way to deliver stock to his shop at the Vubachikwe area when he was blocked by the flooded river. He said this was a huge inconvenience for him as a businessman. Mr
Tshuma said as motorists, they feared the bridge might be destroyed by the heavy flow of water, as it is old.
A kombi driver, Talent Dube, who plies the Gwanda-Maphisa route, said he had to park his vehicle the whole day because of the flooding.
“I lost out on business today as I couldn’t transport people because of the flooded river. It’s the festive season and this is when we record a lot of business, but if these rains persist, then it means we won’t work,” he said.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Albert Nguluvhe, said there is a need for the bridge to be upgraded as a matter of urgency.
“I visited the Mtshabezi River crossing point, a critical route connecting Blanket Mine, Maphisa and Gwanda town.
Unfortunately, vehicles from both sides were unable to cross due to the current state of the bridge,” he said.
“This is particularly concerning as the road is being repaired to link Maphisa, the venue for next year’s National Independence Day celebrations.
“Delegates from Matabeleland South and other parts of the country will face significant challenges accessing the venue if the bridge is not upgraded ahead of time. I’m appealing to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
Development to intervene and construct a bigger and more durable bridge to resolve this issue,” he said.
“As a leader, I will continue to push for solutions to ensure that our roads support the province’s growth and development.”
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, said police attended the scene to contain the situation. He said police officers were deployed to stop people from using the unstable footbridge.
Insp Dube said they also managed to stop the commotion of people who were crossing the footbridge from both ends at the same time.
“We continue to advise people to desist from crossing flooded rivers. If people can’t see the slab of the bridge, then they shouldn’t cross the bridge, as this will lead to loss of life. As police, we will continue to monitor the situation at the bridge,” she said. — @DubeMatutu
derick.khumalo