The DA in Limpopo will submit written questions to the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Ernest Rachoene, concerning the slow progress in rebuilding the Dzumeri bridge on the R529, which is still not complete.
This bridge was washed away in February 2025 after heavy rainfall in the area. Now in September, 7 months after the collapse, the bridge is still not repaired. An oversight inspection by the DA revealed that very little progress has been made. View photos here, here, here and here
The temporary detour that was established is a bad piece of gravel on the western side of the collapsed bridge through the river bed, and it is clear that when it starts to rain this detour will be under water and motorists will not be able to use it. It is therefore urgent that the bridge be repaired before the start of the rainy season.
The snail’s pace in the rebuilding of the Dzumeri bridge has raised questions around how long the repair work will take, the cost involved in the project and the impact the sluggish pace of repairs is having on economic activity in the area.
The R529 is also a main connection road between Tzaneen (R71), Giyani, Malamulele, Thohoyandou and Punda Maria. The incomplete repair work on the bridge poses a negative experience for tourists on their way to the northern Kruger National Park and paints a poor picture of Limpopo.
The DA will ask MEC Rachoene questions around the bridge’s completion date, the cost of this project, how regular the province’s bridges are being inspected and when last inspections were done.