The Malgas Pont on the Breede River in the Western Cape remains closed to all traffic as crews continue to clear mud and debris left behind by recent severe flooding – with the Overberg District Municipality (ODM) targeting Monday 8 June, as the latest possible date for a partial reopening.
Acting municipal manager Eben Phillips confirmed that while the bulk of flood debris has been successfully removed, significant deposits of silt and sand on the approach ramps continue to prevent vehicles from safely boarding the motorised ferry.
“Clearing and hauling of excess mud and debris following the recent flood is still ongoing at the Malgas Pont,” Phillips said. “While the bulk of the debris has been successfully removed, excess silt and sand deposited at the approach ramps continue to prevent vehicles from safely boarding the ferry.”
The Breede River experienced severe flooding in May, with the ODM ordering the pont to be closed and securely docked on 12 May after river currents rose sharply and flood conditions set in. Reports indicated the river rose by more than seven metres, with flow rates exceeding 2 000 cubic metres per second.
Reduced hours on reopening
When the pont does reopen, it will operate on a reduced temporary schedule – Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 15:00 only. The municipality said this temporary arrangement will remain in place until electrical infrastructure and accommodation for pont operators have been fully reinstated, after which normal operating hours will resume.
Background
The Malgas Pont has a storied history stretching back to at least 1860, when the crossing over the Breede River first came into regular operation, serving farmers, traders, and travellers in the Overberg. For well over a century, it was the last manually operated, hand-hauled cable ferry of its kind still in service in South Africa – two operators using harnesses and a pulley system to draw vehicles and passengers across the river.
That era came to an end in December 2020, when the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) opened a new motorised pont at Malgas, replacing the ageing cable-and-hand-drawn vessel that authorities said had become a hazard to public safety and was no longer fit for purpose. The new ferry comprises a series of plastic floats contained within a yellow steel framework, propelled by a single diesel engine powering two hydraulic thrusters. It can carry multiple vehicles at a time.
The change was not without controversy. Heritage advocates at the time called on the Western Cape Premier and the District Municipality to halt the replacement, arguing that the historic hand-drawn pont was an irreplaceable cultural and tourism asset protected under the National Heritage Resources Act.
The motorised pont has since undergone several maintenance closures. Earlier this year, it was shut from 2 March to 2 April for critical maintenance and a mandatory inspection by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), reopening just weeks before the May flood forced its closure again.
The Malgas crossing remains the only vehicle route across the Breede River on the back roads between the N2 outside Swellendam and Cape Infanta, making its closure a significant inconvenience for residents, farmers, and tourists in the area.
Phillips urged patience from all affected. “The Overberg District Municipality is working to restore operations as soon as possible,” he said. “We thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience and understanding as recovery efforts continue following the recent flooding. Further updates will be communicated as they become available.”
