Abahlali gatvol with maspala!

ANGRY residents in Segwashi Village, Ward 14, Limpopo, accuse the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) of failure to deliver on its promises.

This after the municipality promised to build a pedestrian bridge in the area.

Residents took to the streets on Wednesday, 9 April, and barricaded the R71 road with stones and burning tyres.

They said they were promised the bridge more than 15 years ago and to this day nothing has happened.

Safety of kids, who cross the Mphogodiba River daily to go to school, remains a grave concern for parents as sometimes the water levels rise.

One resident, Kgomotso Malesa (24), said 15 years ago two kids drowned while trying to cross the river.

"We are tired of empty promises. They are waiting for more kids to drown before they come and build the bridge. Two kids have already drowned in this river and 15 years later, nothing has been done. We want the bridge now," said one resident.

John Modiba (15) who attends Makome High School said they always arrive at school wet and cold.

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"When it's raining, we don't go to school. We wait for the water levels subside. Our parents sometimes accompany and help us cross the river because it's not safe. We remove our shoes and wade through the river to reach our schools. As a result, we arrive at school wet and cold," said John.

Speaking to Daily Sun, Rene Edna Pohl, Ward 14 councillor in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality under Democratic Alliance (DA), confirmed that the bridge was indeed promised to residents.

"It's true that the GTM promised residents of Maribethema Village a pedestrian bridge. Construction was supposed to commence in November 2024. In the previous financial year, a resolution was made before council that R4 million would be set aside for the construction of the bridge. However, this decision was withdrawn as we realised the money was not enough to build a bigger bridge. We then increased the budget to R30 million, which will come from National Treasury," said Pohl.

"What's happening in that area is unacceptable. Fifteen years ago, we had a case involving two kids who drowned trying to cross the river. On Monday, Executive Mayor Gerson Molapisane will meet with residents to forge a way forward."