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Villagers in Mapareng and Malaeneng within Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) remain forced to use a makeshift pedestrian bridge which poses danger to their safety.
According to the residents, they assembled the makeshift bridge to aid mobility between the two villages which are about 600m apart.
The original bridge there was damaged by floods during heavy rains between January and February.
The residents said vehicles use a 10km detour for access between the villages.
Resident Phineas Makhubedu described the situation as a huge problem, seeking urgent intervention from FTLM.
Makhubedu said learners accessing education in Mapareng, as there is no school in Malaeneng, were faced with travelling between 10 and 11km by bus.
“The detour was inaccessible for about a month during the heavy rains experienced in January and February. We had to use another alternative route going through Phiring and Leboeng villages, taking us about 30 to 35km to reach Mapareng,” Makhubedu said.
Makhubedu said the municipality had neglected the residents in their dilemma. “People in the neighbouring Mapareng and Malaeneng can’t even visit one another because of the lack of a proper bridge. We need help,” Makhubedu said.
DA Constituency Head for FTLM Marie Helm said with the rainy season approaching, the river would become more treacherous to cross and pose more risk to residents.
“The danger which the residents are exposed to is a clear example of the municipality’s negligence and failure to maintain critical infrastructure,” Helm said.
Attempts to get comment from FTLM were not successful at the time of going to print. The municipality had not responded to the publication’s media query which was sent to spokesperson Thabiso Mokoena on 21 October 2026.
