Following the recent floods which affected KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022, numerous public roads and infrastructure suffered damage and disintegration.
As part of the support and services provided by the SA National Defence Force to the City of Ethekwini disaster relief, a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and operators has been assigned to support the Department of Transport in the repairing and rebuilding of roads and bridges. Led by SA Army Construction Troop Commander, Captain Siyabonga Khumalo, the reconstruction of the Mdloti Bridge and the M4 highway in La Mercy is currently underway.
The contingent deployed consists of members from 1 Construction Regiment and 2 Field Engineering Regiment. Together, they form part of the SA Army Engineering Formation deployed for Operation Chariot, working together with the Department of Transport.
Captain Khumalo and his team, who have been on site from Tuesday 24 May 2022, say there are intricate phases involved in the reconstruction of the bridge. “Upon assessment and the removal of the rubble that had remained, the process of upfilling and compacting will take place, which will then be followed by tarring”, he says.
The Acting Deputy Director Department of Transport eThekwini, Mr Sizwe Mvelase had the following to say regarding the collaboration with the SA National Defence Force, “We are grateful for the support, especially as the Department of Transport. We are overstretched in terms of operators. The collaboration is assisting immensely in responding to the flood damages.”
“As a representative of the SA National Defence Force, it gives me great pride to serve and protect our people when they need us the most. We are doing our best to rehabilitate the affected areas in the city of eThekwini, one road at a time”, Captain Khumalo said.
Information and Photographs by Lieutenant Phuti Badimo.
