NCOP delegation urges Public Works and Roads Department to Assist Ratlou Municipality over Collapsed Kraaipan Bridge

The NCOP delegation in North West visited Kraaipan Bridge in Ratlou Local Municipality as part of the NCOP flagship programme of Provincial Week on Day 2.

The NCOP Delegation expressed shock at a collapsed Kraaipan Bridge as a result of seasonal rains in the North West Province in January this year. This resulted in about 1000 households in the area being inconvenienced and their access to essential services such as health, schooling and shopping being severely affected.

The bridge was built in 1985 and the seasonal rains caused severe damage to it.

Speaking at the site, the Leader of the Delegation and the Acting Provincial Whip Mr. China Dodovu called on the Department of Public Works to urgently do an assessment of the extent of the damage and quantify the financial implications. This is despite of the fact that the bridge falls under the local municipal mandate. Dodovu said “ we are urging the Department of Public Works to provide support to the Ratlou Municipality in ensuring that the bridge is restored for the benefit of the community.”

The Administrator from the Department of Public Works under Section 100 Intervention, Mr Molete Moremi committed to provide support to the Ratlou Municipality to ensure that the bridge is rebuilt so that normality is brought back to the community.

The MEC for Public Works, Mr Gaoage Molapisi said that his department is currently undergoing an assessment of all bridges in the province with the view to intervene where necessary. Out of the 1000 household affected by the collapse of this bridge, there are school learners as there is only one Secondary school in the area and it is on the other side of the bridge.

The Delegation also visited the Sethwathwe Village near Madibogo to assess the 28 km P 1502 road construction which has potholes that were adversely affecting road users.

The Delegation also visited Groot Marico Waste Water Treatment Plant where they were informed that communities were not consulted about the project resulting in unhappiness by communities.

Source: Government of South Africa