Bridge In Gokwe South Collapses Again, 12 Months After It Was Rebuilt
Sesame Bridge in Gokwe South Washed Away Again by Heavy Rains
The Sesame Bridge in Gokwe South, which was reconstructed by the Ministry of Transport after being destroyed by heavy rains in December 2023, has once again been washed away following recent torrential downpours.
Midlands Provincial Roads Engineer Stephen Kamutema confirmed the development but requested that questions be directed to his email.
Gokwe South Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer, Jabulani Gute, stated that the bridge was destroyed on Monday, citing structural weaknesses as the primary cause. “The bridge was weak because it didn’t have gabions to strengthen it,” he explained.
In addition to the damage to Sesame Bridge, Gute reported that heavy rains had partially affected Manhede Bridge in Mapfungautsi Constituency. While the damage at Manhede Bridge is less severe and can be temporarily repaired, the situation at Sesame Bridge remains critical.
“We have recorded rainfall-related challenges in our area. Sesame Bridge was washed away again due to the heavy rains and because gabions were not installed to reinforce the structure,” Gute said. “For now, the bridge has been temporarily closed until the end of the rainy season, as the water levels are too high to assess the damage or draft the bill of quantities (BOQs) required for repairs.”
Gute further noted that the heavy rains have caused widespread damage to the area’s roads, exacerbated by the region’s loose soils. Despite the ongoing rainfall, efforts are being made to maintain road accessibility for essential services.
“Our roads have not been spared due to the loose soils in the area, but we are working on them. We cannot wait for the rainy season to end because people rely on these roads to access essential services,” Gute added.
The destruction of Sesame Bridge for the second time highlights the challenges of building resilient infrastructure in areas prone to heavy rains. Local authorities face significant hurdles as they work to restore accessibility while grappling with the continued impact of the rainy season.
