Suspect arrested for illegal road structures on dangerous Mountain View section
Following repeated complaints, metro police officers arrested a suspect accused of building illegal roadside structures along the Mountain View route toward the R80. Officials said the encroachment endangered road users and highlighted the importance of community co-operation.
The TMPD arrested a suspect after allegedly erecting illegal structures along a dangerous section of road near Mountain View, leading towards the R80 highway.
The arrest comes after months of growing community concern over the stretch, which has been identified as a hazardous crossing point frequently used by motorists and pedestrians accessing nearby routes.
Residents said the area had become increasingly unsafe due to informal and illegal structures being built close to the roadway, reducing visibility and contributing to fears of criminal activity.
According to TMPD spokesperson Colonel Isaac Mahamba, officers acted after receiving several reports from the public about the construction of structures in the restricted area along the mountain route.
Mahamba confirmed that metro police officers were deployed to the site following the complaints, where they found a suspect erecting structures on the main road leading towards the highway.
He added that such developments pose a serious safety risk to road users, particularly in an area already regarded as a hotspot due to poor visibility and high traffic flow.
Community members have long expressed frustration over the situation, saying they had reported the matter repeatedly without seeing immediate intervention.
One resident said the arrest was long overdue, adding that some of the structures date back to 2022 and had been a persistent concern for those living and commuting in the area.
“We have been complaining about this for years. Some of these structures have been there since 2022, and nothing was done for a long time.
“It became a safety risk because people could hide there and target commuters. This action should have happened much earlier,” said James Sithole, a resident of Amandasig.
The TMPD has urged residents to continue reporting illegal activity and infrastructure encroachment, saying community co-operation is essential in addressing safety challenges along high-risk routes.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel
