Businesses, including Mercedes-Benz South Africa face an uphill battle after the two main routes from East London to Port Elizabeth were closed indefinitely due to extreme flood damage.

Local, provincial and national departments met in Bhisho to discuss a strategy on how to deal with this crisis.

The closures are due to heavy flood damage that caused the collapse of roads and bridges on the R72 and N2, the two main routes linking East London to Port Elizabeth. Along with these routes, the road between Port Alfred and Kenton-on-Sea was also closed after the Kasouga River bridge appeared to be on the verge of collapse.

Border-Kei Chamber of Business CEO Les Holbrook described the closures as a “disaster” that could hobble businesses with extra costs.

“This is really becoming a disaster situation now. Big companies such as Mercedes-Benz SA and Johnson & Johnson depend on deliveries from other parts of the country and overseas. Now these disastrous roads will cause delays to their production,” he said.

Provincial roads and public works spokesman Sisanda George said it was not clear when the roads would be reopened.

“We cannot specify the extent of the damage yet and how much it will cost to fix. There are other stakeholders involved so this might take time,” said George.