Community members from Fameni and Cuntsula locations in Elliotdale are appealing to the Mbhashe Local Municipality to fix the bridge and the access road between the two locations.
The PR councillor from the United Democratic Movement, Councillor Ntsikelelo Mahlathi, said this bridge was damaged in 2000, and ever since then residents have used to place large stones in the water for them to be able to cross.
“Our municipality and the members of the Legislature know about our situation but nothing is happening. We have lost two girls who were trying to cross during floods,” said Mahlathi.
He added that people who needed to go to Melithafa clinic were struggling to get there because of the situation.
He said that they were forced to take a long route, especially when the weather is bad.
According to Mahlathi, learners from the four primary schools in that area are struggling to go to school because their lives are at risk when it is raining.
“We have tried our level best to remind the authorities about this, but it seems as if we are not getting help at all.
“We are also worried because the summer season will resume and we will have the same problem.”
He confirmed that some of the community members had to pay R66 return when going to clinic because they were using a long route and some of them don’t have this money because they depend on a social grant.
Communications manager from Mbhashe Local Municipality, Nomakhulu Dingane, said this bridge connects Fameni and Cuntsulu. The whole route falls under the Department of Transport.
“All related enquiries and information maybe directed to the department,” she said.
The spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Unathi Binqose, said that the matter has been relayed to the relevant parties.
