The Mpumalanga provincial government says it will require an estimated R2.1 billion to repair infrastructure damaged by recent heavy rains and flooding, with bridges and roads among the most severely affected.

Persistent rainfall since late last year has caused widespread flooding across the province, washing away roads, damaging bridges and leaving some communities temporarily cut off from essential services. Provincial authorities say preliminary assessments indicate that the cost of repairing the damage is substantial and could increase as further evaluations are conducted.

According to the provincial government, several bridges have been badly damaged or rendered unsafe, making them a top priority for repair. Bridges play a crucial role in connecting rural communities to schools, clinics, hospitals and markets, and their closure has disrupted daily life, emergency services and local economic activity.

In addition to bridge damage, numerous roads have been affected by erosion, potholes and collapsing surfaces, while incidents such as rockfalls on key routes, including parts of the R38, have raised safety concerns for motorists.

More than 1 200 households across Mpumalanga are reported to have been affected by the flooding, with some families displaced and others struggling with limited access to transport and basic services. Authorities have warned that rivers and dams remain under pressure, increasing the risk of further flooding should heavy rains continue.

The scale of the damage has contributed to the national declaration of a disaster, allowing government to coordinate relief efforts and mobilise resources across affected provinces, including Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has assured the public that disaster relief funding will be closely monitored to ensure it reaches the communities most in need. The Mpumalanga government is expected to submit detailed damage reports to the National Disaster Management Centre as part of the process to access national funding.

Provincial officials have emphasised that the R2.1 billion figure is a preliminary estimate, and that final costs will depend on further technical assessments and the extent of repairs required.

Meanwhile, residents are urged to remain cautious, avoid damaged roads and bridges, and follow safety warnings issued by authorities as recovery and repair efforts continue.