15 Jul 2025

Government has shortlisted consultants to conduct a detailed investigation and propose a sustainable solution following the collapse of the Moshupa Bridge.

Answering a question in Parliament on Monday, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae said the investigation into the matter was expected to commence in August and would be completed in September.

He said the design of the remedial works that was retaining walls and embankment was anticipated to be completed by November while construction of works would be completed by March next year.

The minister explained that the reconstruction of the Moshupa Bridge, after damages sustained in 2021 due to heavy rainfall, commenced in September 2023.

Mr Salakae said during reconstruction of retaining walls of the bridge embankment, the ministry encountered an abnormally high groundwater table resulting in the stoppage of the project in November last year.

He said the scope of the reconstruction was to restore the bridge embankment to its original state but that could not be achieved without the risk of recurrence of the embankment failure. He said the contract for the reconstruction was terminated in November 2024.

He said the amount paid to the contractor as a result of the termination was over P4 million,, which included loss of profit, cost of demobilisation, material on site and cost of equipment idling.

The minister was responding to a question from Moshupa/Manyana MP, Mr Karabo Gare who asked the minister to state progress on the reconstruction of the Moshupa bypass bridge, which collapsed after heavy rains in 2021 and to state why the construction was stopped.

Mr Gare also asked the minister when he intended resuming construction of the bridge. ENDS