Urgent Action Required: Ensure the Structural Safety of the Mzimkhulu River Bridge

The Mzimkulu Bridge serves as a vital access point to Port Shepstone, carrying heavy traffic, including large trucks, throughout the day. Recently, visible signs of serious structural deterioration have raised alarming concerns. Pillar two is sagging toward the sea, and large chunks of concrete have fallen from under the bridge. These defects present a direct threat to public safety and the structural integrity of this essential bridge.

Despite numerous complaints from residents and repeated media coverage highlighting these issues, no action has been taken to address these urgent concerns. The continued neglect of this infrastructure could result in a catastrophic failure, potentially leading to the loss of lives, severe injury, and property damage.

We, the undersigned, demand that the relevant authorities:

• Conduct an immediate structural evaluation and load testing of the bridge.
• Impose traffic restrictions until the bridge is deemed safe for public use.
• Execute emergency repairs to reinforce the compromised structures.
• Establish transparent communication with the public regarding the bridge’s safety and repair timelines.

It is time for our voices to be heard. Let us act now before this critical infrastructure fails and endangers the lives of our families and community.

Join us in calling for urgent action to ensure the Mzimkhulu River Bridge is repaired and maintained to the highest safety standards.

A Letter to Authorities:

Subject: Immediate Action Required: Structural Integrity of Mzimkhulu River Bridge on D919 and D1121 District Roads

I am writing to formally express my serious concerns regarding the structural condition of the Mzimkhulu River Bridge, a key piece of infrastructure on the primary access route into Port Shepstone, which has been subject to substantial traffic, including heavy vehicles, on a daily basis.

It has come to my attention, through both personal observation and numerous reports from local residents, that there are significant signs of structural deterioration. Specifically, pillar two of the bridge is visibly sagging towards the sea, and large sections of concrete have begun to dislodge from the underside of the structure. This issue has been well-documented and publicly reported, yet, despite repeated notifications to the Department of Transport, no remedial actions appear to have been taken.

As the current situation stands, the bridge presents a clear and present danger to public safety. The visible deflection of the pillar and the deterioration of critical structural components indicate a serious compromise in the bridge’s load-bearing capacity. Given that the bridge carries a high volume of vehicular traffic, including large trucks, it is imperative that immediate structural assessments and load tests are conducted to ensure it meets safety standards as set out in relevant engineering guidelines, such as the South African National Standards (SANS) for bridge design and maintenance.

Should a failure occur, resulting in injury, loss of life, or damage to property, the responsible parties—including the Department of Transport—may be held liable for gross negligence and failure to fulfill statutory obligations. I must emphasize that allowing this situation to persist without addressing the apparent structural issues constitutes a breach of the duty of care owed to the public. The continued use of this bridge under such conditions, without proper inspection or restriction of heavy traffic, is both reckless and irresponsible.

Please be advised that, should this matter continue to be neglected and an incident occur that would involve my family or loved ones, I will not hesitate to pursue all available legal avenues, including claims for gross negligence, failure to protect public safety, and breach of statutory obligations. The failure to act on known structural defects is not only a violation of engineering best practices but also a dereliction of duty that puts lives at risk.

I trust that you will appreciate the gravity of this situation and take immediate, corrective action to avert a preventable disaster.

Regards,

D.Peyper (Resident)

D.Peyper    Contact the author of the petition