TZANEEN: GREATER Tzaneen Municipality Mayor Odas Ngobeni has put the contractor responsible for the delayed Thabine pedestrian bridge on a final deadline, ordering that the long-awaited R1.5 million project be completed by the end of November.

The deadline comes as the new municipal administration faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that its promise of accelerated service delivery can translate into completed infrastructure projects in communities.

Ngobeni, accompanied by Sports, Arts and Culture Portfolio Committee chairperson Renny Mabuza and Ward 33 councillor Johannes Mokoena, met with the contractor and project team to assess progress on the bridge.

The project was initially scheduled for completion in July but has fallen behind schedule after delays in finalising the designs and construction work.

During the meeting, the project engineer committed to completing the outstanding work by the end of November.

Ngobeni made it clear that the November deadline would be the final deadline given to the contractor, placing the municipality’s political leadership under pressure to ensure that the commitment is honoured.

“The project is important to the Thabine community, particularly young children who rely on the bridge to cross safely,” Mayor Odas Ngobeni said.

The pedestrian bridge is expected to provide a safer route for residents, particularly schoolchildren, who have to cross the area to access essential services and facilities.

The delay has also placed the spotlight on municipal project management and the ability of the administration to ensure that contractors deliver within agreed timeframes.

Ngobeni’s administration has previously positioned accelerated service delivery as a key priority. In June, shortly after taking office, he said the municipality needed to accelerate service provision and that his administration was taking a hands-on approach to community concerns.

The mayor has also previously taken a direct approach to delayed pedestrian infrastructure. In his State of the Municipality Address, he highlighted delays involving pedestrian bridges, including the Petanenge and Tlhabine projects.

The November deadline therefore gives the municipality a clear test of its ability to convert political commitments into completed projects.

The municipality said it would continue monitoring construction until the bridge is completed and handed over to the community.

With the local government elections approaching, the delivery of basic infrastructure such as pedestrian bridges is likely to remain an important measure for communities assessing the performance of their municipal leadership.

For Thabine residents, however, the immediate issue is less political: they want the bridge completed and made safe for the children and residents who depend on it.

It is yet to be seen, if the slow progress will not affect the outcome of 2026 Local government elections in the ANC dominated ward.

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