According to affected residents, their ward councillor, Mthobisi Ngomane, promised that a footbridge would be built.

One local, Nhlanhla Mashaba, told Hazyview Herald that it has been more than six years since they were first promised the footbridge.

“I personally called the ward councillor, more than once, but he said they would make a plan without providing any feedback. More than 20 children use this crossing daily, and parents have to assist them. We have had multiple injuries. Last month, two people were injured and they nearly lost their lives, as ambulance and police vehicles cannot access the area,” he said.

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Mashaba added that the requested footbridge would cover a distance of about 2km, with a 300m connection to the main road.

“The community has already spent about R4 000 from their own pockets to hire earth-moving machinery and purchase concrete pipes. We managed to get six pipes, which are still here. The drainage line experiences heavy flooding as water collects there,” he said. “We were once included in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and promised a municipal bridge, but now the project has been removed.”

After a lack of action from the City of Mbombela (CoM) and what locals describe as empty promises from their ward councillor, residents of Shabalala Scotch View near Hazyview are attempting to build a much-needed footbridge themselves.

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According to affected residents, their ward councillor, Mthobisi Ngomane, promised that a footbridge would be built.

One local, Nhlanhla Mashaba, told Hazyview Herald that it has been more than six years since they were first promised the footbridge.

“I personally called the ward councillor, more than once, but he said they would make a plan without providing any feedback. More than 20 children use this crossing daily, and parents have to assist them. We have had multiple injuries. Last month, two people were injured and they nearly lost their lives, as ambulance and police vehicles cannot access the area,” he said.

Mashaba added that the requested footbridge would cover a distance of about 2km, with a 300m connection to the main road.

Another resident, Lister Ngwenya, shared a similar concern.

“My son twisted his foot on his way to school and could not walk for a week. That could have been avoided if we had a footbridge. I don’t think the ward councillor and the CoM take us seriously. We have reported the matter, and our councillor is aware, as he is from this area, yet no action has been taken,” she said.

Given Sambo warned that the situation is a disaster waiting to happen.

“The municipality seems to be waiting for someone to die before they act and make speeches about being a caring government. Community members are not supposed to spend any money on something the government we voted for should provide. We just need a footbridge so people can cross safely. Its removal from the IDP shows they are not prepared to build it, and we are left to suffer,” he said.

In response to Hazyview Herald’s media enquiry, Cllr Ngomane said the matter will be attended to between May 4 and 28. CoM spokesperson Joseph Ngala had not responded by the time of publication.