Safety measures at the ongoing Lynnwood Road upgrade project have come under renewed scrutiny following a fatal incident and reports of two other pedestrians being injured after allegedly falling into excavations on the same evening.

While the metro said the construction zone was closed to motorists and pedestrians, opposition representatives questioned whether enough measures were in place to keep the public out, particularly after thousands attended a rugby match at Loftus Versfeld recently.

Ward 82 councillor Siobhan Muller said three separate incidents occurred on the evening of July 11.

“Two people fell into separate ditches at the intersection of Lynnwood and University roads, with one sustaining cracked ribs and requiring hospitalisation.

“A third person fell into the stormwater ditch at the Lynnwood Road and Roper Street intersection and tragically passed away after hitting his head,” she said.

“There were no staff from the contractors on site, no TMPD personnel deployed, and they did not even account for Lynnwood Road being closed in their Joint Operations Centre planning,” added Muller.

According to Muller, the Springboks’ tour bus almost drove into the closure because the driver was not aware of the road closure.

Muller said this points to a serious lack of communication between departments. She further claimed that several excavations along the route were not adequately secured.

“Many of the ditches were not, and in some cases still are not, properly cordoned off, while pedestrians continued walking through the active construction site.”

DA Caucus leader Cilliers Brink said safety concerns at the project had been raised with the city weeks before the incidents.

“The DA has been raising concerns about the mismanagement of this project for months. In October 2025, Councillor Samantha de la Rey submitted a formal question to council about the incomplete project and the lack of progress,” Brink said.

He added that on June 29, councillors Tiaan Dippenaar and Muller met metro officials and contractors on site, where they warned that the safety measures in place were inadequate to protect pedestrians along Lynnwood Road between Herold Street and University Road.

Brink said despite that clear warning, the metro administration failed to act.

“There needs to be accountability, and urgent action must be taken to secure the site and ensure that no one else is placed at risk.”

Aspirant councillor Helen Alpino also questioned whether the metro had done enough to protect pedestrians, particularly given the large crowds expected after the rugby match at Loftus Versfeld.

“If the streetlights were out because of the project, and they knew there was a rugby game, why were there no additional safety measures in place to direct people away from the area?”

Alpino said they had people directing traffic during the day, but asked if they knew thousands of people would be leaving the stadium at night, why they did not have staff keeping people away from the construction site.

She also alleged that streetlights along the affected section had not been operational for months.

“The streetlights have been off since the project started. They only switched them on around the time of the G20 meeting to ensure the main roads were lit. After the G20, the lights were switched off again,” said Alpino.

According to Alpino, temporary barricading and netting were insufficient, particularly after dark.

“Netting is difficult to see at night. Even if you stop vehicles, pedestrians still walk through. Those yellow interlocking jersey barriers are highly visible, even in the dark, and they prevent people from crossing into dangerous areas.”

Responding to Rekord’s questions, metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the municipality was not aware of two additional reported incidents involving pedestrians falling into excavations.

“The city is not aware of any additional reported incidents involving pedestrians allegedly falling into excavations on the same evening. To date, no such incidents have been formally reported to the city.”

Mashigo said the affected section of Lynnwood Road formed part of an active construction site that had been closed to both vehicles and pedestrians from June 29 until July 21.

“Members of the public were therefore not expected or permitted to access the site during the road closure period.”

Addressing concerns about streetlights, Mashigo confirmed that lighting within the construction zone was not operational on the evening of July 11 because the existing infrastructure had been removed as part of the road upgrade project.

He said that due to the extensive road widening and the relocation of underground and above-ground services, the existing streetlight infrastructure had to be removed and repositioned.

He added that no temporary lighting had been installed because the area was an active construction site closed to public access.

“The contractor is required to implement and maintain all prescribed safety measures applicable to construction sites, including barricading, warning signage and other protective measures, in accordance with the construction regulations and the approved health and safety plan.”

Mashigo said the metro did not introduce additional pedestrian safety measures specifically for the rugby match because the construction site was never intended to accommodate public movement.

He said the affected section of Lynnwood Road had already been officially closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and public notices clearly directed road users and pedestrians to alternative, safer routes that did not include the closed construction area.

Following the incident, the matter was reported to the Department of Employment and Labour.

Mashigo said the metro’s Roads and Transport Department would conduct an investigation and co-operate fully with the statutory process.

“As the matter is currently subject to a statutory investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment on any findings or draw conclusions before the investigation has been completed.”

Mashigo said this includes strengthening barricading, warning signage and other protective measures.

The metro reiterated that the Lynnwood Road construction site remains closed to both motorists and pedestrians until the roadworks are completed.

CATCH UP: 

• Police open inquest after man’s death near Lynnwood Road construction site
• City breaks silence after missing rugby fan found dead near BRT construction site

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