Unstable student bridge needs closer inspection

MORE than 300 University of Zululand (Unizulu) students have to cross a makeshift bridge every day.

The bridge itself, made from a few wooden beams, plywood and nails, is believed to have been constructed by engineering students at Unizulu.

It runs over a stream which is known to flood during the rainy season.

While there are alternate routes which can be taken to get to the university, the bridge was constructed with the sole purpose of halving the time it would take using any of the other routes.

The ZO this week visited the site where the structure has been erected and saw at least 15 students crossing the bridge within a five-minute period.

One of these students, Sphesihle Mathaba, said she crosses the bridge at least five days a week when going to university.

‘It’s scary, especially towards the middle. It’s bouncy and not very stable,’ she said.

The bridge is situated behind the university’s Creative Arts Department and poses a risk to students as it has no centre supporting beam nor hand rails.

uMhlathuze Municipality spokesperson, Mdu Ncalane, said the city will investigate the matter.

‘We need to have a closer look into the problem and also see whether it has ever been mentioned in the IDP programmes or by the ward.

‘As much as we commend students for the initiative, such structures will need to be examined to see whether they pose any risk to users,’ said Ncalane.