uMsinga tragedy exposes risks of flooded rural bridges

The deaths of six people in uMsinga last week after their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a low-lying bridge has once again highlighted the dangers faced by many communities in rural KwaZulu-Natal who rely on such crossings during heavy rains. The victims were travelling in a vehicle that attempted to cross a flooded bridge near eNadi, in the eMabovini area, on the P17 road when strong currents swept it away. Only five, Princess Gumbi (48), Mzwakhe Mbeje (40), Gcinephi Ngcongco (43), Sphamandla Ngobese (38) and Nokwazi Ndlovu (28) have so far been recovered, while one man, Nkosinathi Mweli (44) remains missing.

Mweli is believed to be from one of the communities under the uMvoti Municipality. After an almost week-long search involving several emergency services including rescue boats, helicopters and drones, the search operation for the missing man was officially called off on Wednesday afternoon. For many residents living in rural areas, however, such tragedies are not isolated incidents.

Across districts such as uMzinyathi and uMgungundlovu, low-lying bridges built close to river level and designed to allow water to flow over them during floods are often the only connection between villages, towns, schools and clinics. When heavy rains fall, these crossings become dangerous or completely impossible and residents in rural communities say the problem has existed for years. In some areas, communities are often forced to seek shelter on the other side of the river when bridges become flooded and too dangerous to cross. This is largely because many communities have no alternative routes other than using these low-lying bridges.