The R28 between Krugersdorp and Randfontein is traversed by hundreds of commuters daily.
One landmark that all have come to know and many have come to distrust was an old, fairly small bridge carrying multiple pipes just outside of West Village. Over time, scaffolding had been added to the bridge to help stabilise it.
Many community members have lodged complaints with various entities because of safety concerns. While some of these concerns reached the News over the past year, many more were directed to DA Ward 26 councillor, Whitey Moleba.
Nearly a year ago on August 25 2020, Whitey sent a request to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT), which deals with such matters. Whitey also sent a petition from residents in his ward to the Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM).
“Recently I was informed by the GDRT that the bridge would be demolished.”
On Saturday, July 31 GDRT workers cordoned off the R28 road from about 16:00 to commence with demolishing the bridge, which continued into the night and was concluded by 09:00 the following morning.
I came here around 05:00 and it was finished. They were just cleaning up. By 09:00 it was cleared and the road was opened,” Whitey said.
The pipes on the bridge had been in disuse for quite a while and the bridge therefore served no purpose.
