Residents of Kromkuil Village in Hamanskraal are facing a growing crisis after heavy flooding caused a critical bridge to collapse, cutting off access to essential services and forcing the closure of Rethusitswe Combined School and the local Kromkuil Clinic.
The bridge, declared unsafe by a local councilor, has left sick residents struggling to reach medical care in neighboring townships, while learners have been unable to attend school since the incident three days ago.
Clinic Shut Down, Patients Left Stranded
The Kromkuil Clinic has suspended operations, forcing vulnerable residents, including the elderly and those with mobility challenges, to seek healthcare elsewhere. A frustrated resident lamented, “Since the day the councilor declared the road unsafe, the clinic hasn’t operated. We have people who can barely walk, but we’re told to use services from neighboring townships.”
A pregnant woman shared her distress, stating that she had been on her way to deliver at the clinic when she discovered it was closed. “I could see the bridge was not right, but I didn’t know the clinic was shut,” she said.
School Closed, Teachers Unable to Access Classrooms
Meanwhile, parents are worried about their children’s education as Rethusitswe Combined School remains closed. A community member explained, “Our challenge is not the learners—they can reach the school. The problem is the teachers who can’t access it.”
With no clear timeline for repairs, fears are growing that students will fall behind in their studies. “Now that the school is closed, we have a problem because we had a similar challenge before,” a concerned parent added.
Municipality Under Fire for Silence
Residents accuse the Moretele Local Municipality of failing to communicate a clear plan of action. “The only issue is for the municipality to come back to us as a community. They don’t explain what their plans are,” said one local.
In response, the municipality claims it is working to resolve the issue. Officials stated that they are coordinating with public works to create a temporary access route. “We met with public works, who promised to create a temporary road so people can reach the school and clinic,” a representative said.
Teachers Urged to Find Alternative Routes
Authorities have advised teachers to avoid the collapsed bridge and find other ways to travel, with schooling expected to resume on Monday. However, skepticism remains high among residents, who fear further delays.
With no immediate solution in sight, the community remains in limbo, demanding urgent intervention before the situation worsens.
