Mtshabezi river bridge reopens to motor­ists

The Mtshabezi River Bridge in Gwanda District has reopened to motorists following a three-day closure for emergency repairs after flood damage disrupted transport and daily travel.

The bridge, a vital link connecting Gwanda, Blanket Mine, Maphisa and nearby business centres, had been temporarily փակ to vehicles after heavy floodwaters damaged its approaches. Although pedestrians were still able to cross, motorists and commuters were forced to walk nearly a kilometre to continue their journeys.

During the closure, public transport operators introduced temporary measures, dropping passengers on one side of the bridge and arranging alternative vehicles on the other. Many travellers without luggage opted to walk the distance to avoid additional costs, while those carrying goods had to hire transport to reach the crossing point.

Pushcart operators capitalised on the disruption, charging up to R100 to ferry luggage between the bridge and town.

Residents welcomed the reopening, describing it as a major relief after days of inconvenience. A Vubachikwe Mine resident, Ms Rebecca Khumalo, said the situation had placed a heavy burden on travellers.

"We are glad that all is now back to normal now that the bridge has been opened. The situation was causing a lot of strain on us as travellers," she said, adding that she had been forced to complete her journey on foot while seeking medication in Gwanda Town.

She also noted that some transport operators had taken advantage of the disruption by increasing fares.

Transport operators said the closure had significantly affected business operations. A Gwanda–Makwe route operator, Mr Simon Ncube, said operators had to improvise to continue providing services.

"We had to liaise with our counterparts in Gwanda Town, who were bringing us fuel, and we collected it on the other side of the bridge. Passenger numbers dropped, affecting business, but we are glad operations can now return to normal," he said.

However, Ncube urged authorities to prioritise upgrading the bridge, citing its vulnerability during heavy rains due to its low-lying structure.

Residents have long called for the bridge to be upgraded, arguing that repeated flooding frequently cuts off communities from essential services.

Meanwhile, a makeshift footbridge damaged during the floods is set to be repaired through a partnership between the Government and the local business community.

Matabeleland South provincial roads engineer, Mr Mangisi Nkomo, said emergency repairs included reinforcing the bridge approaches and clearing debris beneath the structure.

"As the Ministry of Transport, working with the Civil Protection Committee, we engaged the business community and other partners who assisted with resources to repair the damage," he said.

He added that interlocking blocks had been installed to stabilise the approaches after the tar surface was washed away, and further work would continue to clear blocked waterways.

Gwanda District Development Coordinator, Ms Nomathemba Ndlovu, who also chairs the district Civil Protection Committee, said coordinated efforts by stakeholders enabled the bridge to reopen swiftly.

She confirmed that no casualties were recorded during the flooding incident, bringing relief to the district.