09 Aug 2017

Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Kitso Mokaila has informed Parliament that  the collapse of the two culverts in Moshupa occurred during the construction works where the culverts were exposed as a result of the removal of stone pitching and gabions that were used to protect the embankments against erosion.

Answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Mokaila emphasised that what collapsed in Moshupa were actually two culverts and not a bridge as a result of torrential rains that were experienced in December last year and January this year.

“These culverts were constructed 25 years ago and were expected to last for 50 years before serious weaknesses show up. The ministry intends to upgrade one of the two culverts to a medium size bridge,” he said.

Mr Mokaila said the main purpose of the removal of the embankment protection were to allow widening of the road shoulders as part of the upgrading of gravel shoulders to bitumen standard and this also required the subsequent extension of the culverts.

He noted that management of a road included regular detailed inspection of bridges, culverts, cattle grits and all components that form part of the road infrastructure.

Mr Mokaila said the torrential rains that occurred in December last year and January this year resulted in floods which affected the embankments of the two culverts in Moshupa, hence the collapse.

He said the collapse of the two culverts were not foreseen as they were found to be structurally intact following assessment and valuation carried out in 2012 as part of the conceptual design for output and performance road project and no major intervention were required during the 10 years of the project duration.

He further said there was only one bridge in the Southern District, Ntlhantlhe Bridge, which is scheduled for inspection and maintenance.

“Inspection of this bridge together with all culverts is scheduled to be carried out twice a year. There is no plan to maintain this bridge in the financial year 2017/2018 as its condition is still in an acceptable state,” he concluded.

Member of Parliament for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile had asked the minister if the management of a road included regular detailed inspection of bridges, when the bridge that collapsed in Moshupa was constructed and how long it was expected to last before serious weaknesses show.

He also asked why the bridge collapsed and if its collapse was not foreseen and to state the number of bridges in the Southern District scheduled for inspection and maintenance for the financial year 2017/2018. ENDS