LiSwati stuck in Moz floods
SITEKI – A liSwati man is stuck in Mozambique as a result of the floods caused by the recent torrential rains in most parts of Southern Africa.
Motorists travelling to Mozambique via the Lomahasha-Namaacha Border Gate have been warned that the road between Namaacha and Matola is flooded, hence good Samaritans have taken the initiative to assist travellers with speedboats to reach their destinations.
Yesterday, Amos Dlamini who is currently visiting Mozambique said he had to return to Matola after he had failed to cross the flooded road in his car.
Dlamini said good Samaritans assisted commuters travelling from Matola to Lomahasha Border Gate and those coming from Eswatini by transporting them on speedboats across the flooded stretch of the road.
Flooded
He said the stretch of the flooded road was about half a kilometre, hence motorists had to turn back.
“I had to turn back as the road was flooded and most of those driving their cars did likewise. I was returning home (Eswatini) from Matola. I will monitor the downpours as I have to return home,” he said.
Also, motorists travelling to South Africa via the Matsamo Border Gate should be cautious, as rocks on the N4 road around Schoemanskloof Road in Mpumalanga had fallen, and blocked the road.
According to South African television station, eNCA News reported that authorities had been forced to close it, following the persisting rains.
Worth mentioning is that the road connecting Lomahasha and Mafucula is extensively damaged due to the ongoing torrential rains across the region.
Over 40 schools around the country suspended lessons on Thursday as most bridges and roads were damaged.
Gilgal Member of Parliament (MP) Sandla Fakudze said schools under his constituency had suspended lessons due to the bad state of the roads.
The legislator said parents and head teachers had also been advised to turn pupils back until the rains subsided.
“The roads are damaged and it’s a pity that Ministry of Public Works and Transport recently rehabilitated our roads by re-gravelling them. Most bridges within the inkhundla had also been damaged and some communities are inaccessible, hence school-going children should remain in their respective homes until the rains stop,” he said. Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini advised cross-border travellers to be cautious and enquire about the weather patterns in the places they would be travelling to.
“People should get information first on the situation of the roads before embarking on their trips. Those travelling to South Africa and Mozambique should also be cautious as there are constant reports coming in from news sources about the state of the roads,” he said.
Difficulties
On another note, motorists using the Zondwako-Mbangave Bridge have not experienced any difficulties as the height of the bridge had been advantageous in ensuring that heavy rains did not reach the bridge’s surface.
Micro Projects Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sibusiso Mbingo said the bridge which cost government about E10 million had an 85-metre long carriageway concrete structure.
He said E1.5 million of the total costs was channelled towards road works and auxiliary works, with E8.5 million channelled towards the bridge structure.