Villagers Risk Lives Crossing River After Bridge Collapse in South Africa

A bridge in the Mthatha Mouth area of Ngqeleni, South Africa, has been severely damaged after recent torrential rains washed away part of its structure, leaving villagers to risk their lives crossing the Mthatha River in kayaks and small boats. The bridge, which linked communities to Coffee Bay, was initially damaged during the 2025 floods and had been repaired, but part of it washed away again during recent heavy rains in the OR Tambo district.

The collapse has caused severe disruption to local livelihoods, with residents, including pensioners collecting payouts, forced to pay to cross the river in small boats and kayaks before climbing a steep ladder to reach the opposite bank. The damaged bridge falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Cape transport department, which had not yet responded to queries. Local municipalities have expressed concern about the dangers residents face while crossing the river.

The bridge collapse has also disrupted water supplies to parts of Ngqeleni, as water pipes had been attached to the bridge structure. Local resident Warren Hudson described the situation as "really painful," with people desperate for a solution. He highlighted the risks associated with crossing the river, particularly for elderly people who struggle to climb the ladder.

For local entrepreneur Nkosikhona Duba, the damaged bridge has turned routine journeys into a costly and difficult exercise. He has to load his sound equipment onto a small boat and arrange another vehicle to collect it on the opposite bank, paying around R20 for the service. Duba questioned the quality of the repairs carried out after the 2025 floods, suggesting that the structure had failed again due to poor workmanship.

The OR Tambo district municipality has officially opened a R79m disaster management centre in Libode, aimed at enhancing flood response. District mayor Mesuli Ngqondwana emphasized that the centre's success would depend on the municipality's ability to respond effectively to emergencies and disasters. The new facility is intended to improve the district's ability to respond to emergencies and disasters, including the floods that have repeatedly damaged infrastructure and disrupted communities across the region.

The bridge collapse has highlighted the need for urgent repairs and effective disaster management in the region. Local municipalities have urged residents to be cautious when crossing the river, as the situation can be hazardous, especially during times of heavy rainfall. The Eastern Cape transport department has been urged to take responsibility for the damaged bridge and work towards a solution.

As the situation continues to unfold, residents are calling for swift action to repair the bridge and restore safe passage across the Mthatha River. The launch of the disaster management centre is seen as a positive step towards mitigating the impact of future disasters, but residents are eager to see tangible solutions to their immediate challenges.

Key points

• The bridge collapse has disrupted water supplies and livelihoods in the region.
• Residents are forced to use kayaks and ladders to cross the river, posing a significant risk to their safety.
• The OR Tambo district municipality has launched a R79m disaster management centre to enhance flood response.