MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Willies Mchunu, has sent a task team to investigate the drowning of two girls in December 2010 due to lack of bridge in Northern part of KwaZulu-Natal (AmaJuba District).
Preliminary reports have revealed that, the department has two causeways across the Ncandwana River and the other causeway located on the access road to Ngcaka School. The girls were visiting neighbours who live across Ncandwana River. The girls did not make use of the existing infrastructure of the department, since they tried to cross the Ncandwana River not the Ngcaka River as reported, when the accident happened.
It would have been a deviation of approximately 8 to 10 km from the direct route between their home and the neighbours.
Currently the department is looking at the possibilities of creating either a pedestrian bridge or causeway and road across Ncandwana River at this location.
“I would like to send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two girls. It is very unfortunate to lose young people like this due to such accidents as they hold our future as the nation. We have deployed a task team to investigate the area and to see if the department can be able to assist with the infrastructure in the area. We would also like to urge communities to not use shortcuts but use the existing infrastructure especially on rainy days,” said Mchunu.
Media contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Transport
