The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has alerted motorists about a road failure on the R61 national road between Magusheni and Mzamba, caused by heavy rains and flooding in the area.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning, resulted in a section of the road collapsing due to runoff water overwhelming the earth drains. SANRAL’s Eastern Cape Provincial Manager, Mbulelo Simon Peterson, who was in the area at the time, identified the damage and confirmed that it was not a sinkhole but a significant washaway caused by excessive water flow.
SANRAL’s Road Routine Maintenance (RRM) team responded immediately, barricading the damaged section and implementing a manual stop-and-go system to regulate traffic. The agency has since begun preparations to install automated traffic lights for smoother traffic management.
“Our contractor is working on securing the area, while a geotechnical team, led by SANRAL Project Manager Thabo Jaxa, is en route to assess the damage and provide technical support for the necessary repairs,” said Kayakazi Mafuta, SANRAL’s Acting Provincial Head for the Eastern Cape.
Motorists traveling on the R61 are urged to exercise caution, adhere to the stop-and-go system, and remain patient as SANRAL works to restore the road. The agency has assured the public that updates on the progress of repairs will be communicated regularly.
SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates road users’ cooperation in ensuring safety on this vital route.
