No bridge, culverts dumped for 5 years

tions of the Veterans Affairs, in a nutshell, Fakudze said the duties of the VA Office entailed the provision of indispensable services to all veterans, as the name infers.

He revealed that such services included, but not limited to, the general welfare of veterans, pioneering benefits programmes, as well as addressing other pertinent and critical issues.

AssUred

He assured the veterans that all their issues, concerns, matters of welfare, would be carefully addressed with all structures in place to ensure that they were well-taken care of in as much as the UEDF and the country still needed them.

He also revealed that he envisaged the establishment of committees by the veterans so that they would be able to meet at regional level and forward their grievances through the central

M– Residents of Bambitje have bitterly complained that the construction of a bridge was discontinued without their knowledge in the area.

The residents said the discontinuation of the bridge led to over 20 culverts being left in the veld while the community lacked a bridge that would connect Bambitje and Shisizwe areas.

Dominic Myeni said he used the road often to reach out to other members of his family and relatives at Bambitje and was disappointed with the lack of progress in constructing the bridge.

“This issue had been on the agenda of community meetings for over 10 years.

“We were elated when it finally got the approval of government. structure.

Joy

“However, our joy was cut short because for five years nothing has happened,” he said.

He said the state of the road had been worsened by the prevailing rains which have flooded the river, preventing cars from driving across.

Matsanjeni South MP Bomber Mamba said he was aware of

The acting army commander (L) gestures as he makes his remarks. (RIGHT PIC) Army veterans came in numbers to meet Fakudze. opportUnity

The veterans were afforded an opportunity to voice out their concerns, suggestions and thoughts.

They emphasised the need for all their issues to be well documented to ensure proper reference the work stoppage and when he asked around, he was informed that the work would continue soon.

“The culverts were brought by the Public Works Department which intended to build the bridge, before I even came into office.

“I was also disappointed by the work stoppage such that at one time I suggested that I should be allowed to take the culverts to be used elsewhere,” he said.

UnderstAnd

MP Mamba said he was made to understand that the project was later handed over to the operations of Micro Projects.

He said the regional director of Works had informed him that a bridge was scheduled to be built at Mzimvubu to connect communities of Mzimvubu with those from Welcome and Bambitje, but the project was stalled by lack of adequate finances.

Micro Projects Director Sibusiso Mbingo confirmed that the project was under his department and that finances were inadequate.

He said more funds were asked from government to complete the project and was hopeful that work would continue this year. and continuity so that when a new candidate comes to the helm at any given time, they took their matters from where the predecessor left.

The veterans assured the EUDF and the country that they were ready to offer their expertise whenever there was need.