R9.7-million spent and three years later, still no bridge

Construction of the Nogqala bridge near Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape started in September 2021.

Construction of Nogqala bridge near Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape started in September 2021. By May 2023, R9.7-million had been spent on the project, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thembi Nkadimeng said in response to a parliamentary question.

But every that is visible in February 2024 are a few concrete footings with steel rods sticking out.

Sivuyile Myeko, spokesperson for Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality, said the initial budget was just under R13-million and work started in September 2021.

But, the municipality terminated the contract due to unhurried progress and needy performance. It appointed a modern contractor in July last year, and work resumed in August.

However, when GroundUp visited the village last week, there was no contractor on site.

Community leader Vuyani Mnqayi says the contractor left in November 2023 and has not been seen again.

He says the municipality has been promising the village this bridge for 20 years.

Villagers in Nogqala need the bridge to procure to clinics and kids need it to obtain to school. When it rains, most kids in primary school enact not attend classes and high school learners gain to rent places closer to the school.

“When there’s death in this village, we are forced to carry the corpse across the river because there is no bridge for cars,” said Mnqayi.

The river has claimed lives too. People believe drowned crossing it.

Nosiphe Sikepe said her three grandchildren did not fade to primary school last month because of the rains. Many villagers also enrol their kids tardy in school, because they enact not want them to cross the river when they are too young.

“People say millions were spent on this bridge but there’s nothing,” she said.

Explaining the length of time the bridge is taking, Myeko said pile testing on the footings of the bridge was still required. Persistent rains in January had prevented the contractor from working.

The community had also rejected the first project steering committee when the second contractor was hired. He said the municipality has successfully resolved this matter.

He said 14 people believe received work opportunities on the project.

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