The Engineer Squadron members deployed under Operation Chariot for the Disaster Relief continue to effectively make positive changes for Communities in KwaZulu-Natal Province. The current engineering task members are executing is the road reconstruction and rehabilitation on M4 which was extensively damaged by the floods.
Soldiers daily duties on the construction site comprise assembling gabion baskets, filling gabions with stones, connecting the 600MM and 900MM stormwater pipes that channel the water, backfilling and compacting varied sand (G7, G5, G2) and gabion stones using specialised Construction Machines while on the other hand the Tipper vehicles are continually collecting, delivering and transporting other material needed for the road rehabilitation.
The workload is massive, the site is dusty and the common goal among all workers on site is again to make the road accessible for the motorists. Other members who are involved in the project are from the Department of Transport and also Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP) from the Province who support and work together with Soldiers. The Men and Women in uniform are involved in two (2) projects here at M4, the Leo Boyd High Way and the other project at La Mercy.
The members are under the command of the Engineer Squadron Major Madimetja Lucas Masenya.
Article by Captain Tshegofatso Gwai and Photographs by Staff Sergeant Ezekiel Rantlhoatlhoa and Corporal Lorraine Choma.
