An estimated R2.2 billion is needed to repair the damage, an amount equivalent to their entire annual budget for road maintenance and upgrades, said Department of Public Works and Roads head Moss Kgantsi.

During an oversight visit to one of the affected areas in the Moretele Municipality last week, Kgantsi highlighted the scale of the destruction, particularly in municipalities such as Ngaka Modiri Molema and Ramotshere Moiloa, which have been among the hardest hit.

“In the province, there are about five municipalities that are affected like Ngaka Modiri Molema, Ramotsirimoiloa, the two major roads that are currently under construction. The other road that is constructed with about R134 million, that road – when it was about to be finished – it was washed away by water in Khunotswane (near Zeerust). So the cost there is roughly R400 000,” he said.

Kgantsi also detailed the collapse of major infrastructure, including two bridges in Moretele and a newly built road in Tlhole. The floods washed away approximately 100 metres of the Tlhole road and damaged the nearby bridge, with an estimated restoration cost of R60 million.

“This bridge that we are standing on, we were still designing it. It was overflooded when we were in the process of designing it. So we still have to come back here, do the other redesign and cost estimation. Generally, just to build a new bridge from the beginning, the costs range from R40 million to R50 million, so it's very, very costly.”

Acting Premier Kenetswe Mosenogi said the government declared a provincial state of disaster after damage caused by heavy downpours. 

During her visit to Moretele Municipality, Mosenogi emphasised the severe humanitarian and logistical implications of the damaged roads and bridges. One such bridge in Makaunyane has left communities isolated, with critical access routes cut off.

For years, North West has battled crumbling road infrastructure, and these recent events have reignited criticism from opposition parties who blame the worsening conditions on government failure, corruption, and lack of accountability. They warned that the poor state of roads poses a serious danger to motorists and hampers economic development in the province.

In a recent media briefing, Premier Lazarus Mokgosi acknowledged the province’s infrastructural setbacks, attributing much of the challenge to its largely rural makeup, with over 60% of residents living in underdeveloped areas. 

He stressed that without a significant increase in budget allocations, the province’s infrastructure woes will continue for decades to come.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg