After years of fear, grief and near-misses, Peace Valley residents in Pietermaritzburg are breathing easier following the completion of a new bridge to replace the low-level structure where three people drowned during heavy rains in 2023. The drownings in 2023 prompted Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla to call for the bridge to be permanently closed. Among the victims were sisters Layla Hawazi (24) and Nusra Hawazi (19), who were swept away while attempting to cross during heavy rain.
Layla’s body was later recovered from the Msunduzi River near Hulamin. Another resident, Rahma Rashidi, also drowned while crossing the bridge during the same period. “Whenever there was heavy rain, children would stay home and not go to school because parents were scared they would be swept away,” said Peace Valley resident Samkelo Ngonyama.
Now, even when it rains heavily, the water does not remain over the bridge like it did before. We finally feel safe. Ngonyama said the project also brought improved access roads, replacing a previous gravel route.
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“The old bridge could not be closed because it was the only way for people to reach their homes. During construction, we were still using it, but once the new bridge was completed, the old one was demolished. That has changed everything,” he said.
Ward councillor Dumisani Phungula said the previous bridge was never intended for community use. “It was built for uMngeni Water technicians to access a pump station. As people later settled in the area, residents began using it,” Phungula said. “When the river rose after heavy rain, people were expected to use a longer route via Mpumuza, but some believed they could cross safely and were swept away,” he said.
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