The recent heavy rainfall experienced across large parts of the country has left a trail of disaster in villages outside Mokopane in Limpopo. Two bridges at the overflowing Kgole River in Galakwena village have collapsed.

Residents have now been cut off from accessing nearby towns like Mokopane, as vehicles are not able to cross the collapsed bridge.

The collapse of the two bridges due to the overflowing Kgole River has left people from 28 villages stranded. Residents say the old bridge, which collapsed on Thursday, was already in a poor state and the recent torrential downpours worsened the situation.

“On Thursday morning I heard from the chairperson of the taxi association. He called me and reported the bridge to me and immediately I went to the bridge and indeed it is affecting 28 villages, the businesses around, the taxi association and the mortuary,” says Jerry Mosehlana, the community leader.

Villagers are now unable to access services such as healthcare, public transport and others. A local bereaved family says preparing a funeral has been difficult as there’s no access road.

“The person who passed away is my nephew, so we are very worried as we are sitting here, there is no access to the road. The one that is left, I believe it is going to be swept away. So, we are cut off from the rest of the world and the province,” says Lesiba Molekwa, a community member.

Video: Limpopo Floods – Residents of villages outside Bakenberg appeal for help as bridge collapses

Taxi operators have halted operations as the road is unsafe. They now stand to incur financial losses.

“A lot, a lot because not we used to collect money during this SASSA period but now we are stuck because we don’t have any alternative way. Last year when this thing happened like this we tried to use another alternative road to other taxi routes, that side now they fight with us they say we are taking their customers away, now we don’t have any options except if they can fix this road,” says Lucas Mooka, from Lebowa West Taxi Association.

The community has informed the Department of Public Works.

The road will be assessed by a team of experts at a later stage.

“The issue of Galakwena is one of the projects that had to be halted because of the issue of financial constraints and challenges that were previously experienced. MEC Rachoene has already taken a stance to stabilize RAL to ensure improved service delivery and also address backlogs on our roads. We will also conduct an assessment on the Galakwena bridge to come up with immediate and long-term solutions,” says Emmanuel Mongwe, from Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure.

The community is concerned that learners will be affected when schools reopen next week.

Meanwhile, other rivers around the area are also overflowing due to heavy rains.