5 December 2025
Klerksdorp Record, Hartbeesfontein - The town’s infrastructure is deteriorating by the day and calls by the DA to the city’s Infrastructure & Technical Services Department to act fall on deaf ears.
Cllr Maritha Coetzee highlighted the Hartbeesfontein bridge as a critical point with cracks forming in the building adjacent to the structure, while the sidewalk around it continues to sink. The tar edges have eroded to the extent that most of the supporting structures around the bridge have completely disappeared.
She demands structural assessments of the bridge and all surrounding buildings, emergency stabilisation and repairs to the road and bridge and a clear, transparent timeline for the long-term rehabilitation of the town’s road network and infrastructure.
“Driving across the bridge has become nearly impossible, with heavy vehicles forced to use the compromised structure daily. The continued denial that the bridge poses a high risk is not only unacceptable but endangers the lives of all road users.”
According to Coetzee, local businesses are suffering as delivery trucks struggle to cross the decayed bridge, resulting in higher operational costs and delays. Even more worrying is the impact on emergency services; ambulances and fire trucks face dangerous delays when attempting to cross, placing residents’ lives at serious risk.
“The crisis extends beyond the bridge. Potholes continue to expand, with many now almost impassable. Despite these issues being repeatedly reported, the municipality has failed to act, adding to the growing frustration of residents and road users.”
