Construction on R4bn Mtentu Bridge project halted amid protests

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17-10-2024
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Moneyweb
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Amadiba Crisis Committee demands that its long-standing grievances be addressed by Sanral.

Construction operations on the R4 billion Mtentu Bridge mega project, managed by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), came to a halt on Wednesday (16 October) as members of the Amadiba inland community blocked roads at three different locations in the Pondoland region in the Eastern Cape.

The community is demanding that Sanral address their long-standing grievances, yet according to the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), the roads agency has given them the “silent treatment”.

This blockade follows a similar incident last week, which was resolved after three hours when the police intervened and brought the contractor to engage with the community.

It is said at the time, Sanral promised to respond to the community’s concerns by 16 October, but no action has been taken, prompting further disruption.

Allegations

The grievances include allegations of jobs at the mega bridge project being “sold” to applicants and other unresolved issues, such as the dismissal of 30 general workers who were employed on four-year contracts.

According to the ACC, the workers were dismissed in August without explanation.

The workers are now demanding reinstatement and have taken their case to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

In addition to employment disputes, the ACC claims that Sanral has failed to honour an agreement made in March 2023 to hold a fourth meeting with their technical team to resolve issues surrounding the realignment of the N2 highway in Amadiba. The group says that despite repeated requests, Sanral has not provided any further communication.

In a letter addressed to the ACC in September, Sanral CEO Reginald Demana indicated his willingness to engage with the community “in due course”.

However, the ACC argues that the time for meaningful dialogue and inclusion of the Amadiba community in the project is long overdue, pointing to a year filled with protests over alleged corruption and Sanral’s refusal to engage.

Sanral has previously raised concerns over the financial losses incurred in 2018 when the Mtentu Bridge project was halted, but the ACC accuses the agency of repeating past mistakes by not engaging with the community.

The ACC highlighted that it wants to see Sanral include society at large in its projects.

“We want [to] see a new Sanral,” the statement concluded.

Sanral’s response

Sanral has acknowledged the disruption to its Mtentu Bridge project, noting with concern the actions taken by members of the Amadiba community.

Speaking to Moneyweb, Sanral confirmed that access to the bridge site was blocked, preventing employees from performing their duties. The agency expressed disappointment, particularly because the project plays a vital role in the N2 Wild Coast Road development, a key infrastructure initiative for the region.

According to Sanral, it has been actively engaging with communities along the Wild Coast corridor, including those in Amadiba, since the inception of the N2 project. These engagements, the roads agency noted, are part of its efforts to align the project with the needs of the local communities. It said all its projects, including the Mtentu Bridge, have a project liaison committee that facilitates communication between the affected communities, the contractor, and Sanral itself.

The agency said it hosted a significant stakeholder engagement as recently as August 2024, which was led by the MEC for Transport and Community Safety and involved local political bodies.

During this meeting, progress on the Mtentu project was shared, and issues raised by the communities were discussed. The agency reiterated that it has always been open to dialogue and expects to continue working with the communities to address any concerns.

Sanral announced plans for another stakeholder engagement in Amadiba, initially scheduled for October but postponed due to the tragic Lusikisiki massacre.

This upcoming meeting is said to address matters such as construction packages, skills training, and other opportunities for community benefit.

Sanral reaffirmed that it will not tolerate disruptions but remains committed to ensuring that local communities participate and benefit from its infrastructure projects, particularly in alignment with its broader transformation and “contract participation goals”.