Vandalised mast light creates safety concerns at bridge in eMbalenhle

“Since the high mast light was vandalised, people have been getting robbed and injured at night when coming to or from the eMba Mall,” said a resident.

March 7, 2025

Mphikeleli Masangu 2 minutes read

eMbalenhle residents say it is unsafe to pass the footbridge near the eMbalenhle Sasol Club at night because of the vandalised high mast light.

eMbalenhle residents have raised safety concerns at the Wellas footbridge after the area’s high mast light was vandalised, plunging the bridge into darkness.

With crime rates on the rise, they fear for their safety, particularly at night when criminals take advantage of the darkness.

Resident John Masombuka shared his distress over the situation, “Since the high mast light was vandalised, people have been getting robbed and injured at night when coming to or from the eMba Mall,” he said.

“The footbridge has become a hunting ground for criminals who ambush unsuspecting pedestrians.”

Residents claim criminals hide under the bridge, waiting to attack people, and in some cases, victims are robbed and seriously injured – or worse.

“It’s lucky if they only take your belongings,” Masombuka grimly added. “Some victims are brutally attacked, and women have been raped on that bridge.”

Sipho Mtambo, who lives near the footbridge, often hears screams for help at night.

“The most disturbing part is waking up in the morning and seeing bloodstains on the walkway, a sign of what happened during the night,” he said.

Mtambo recounted a recent incident when he saw a group of criminals pretend to befriend an elderly man before trying to rob him of his pension money.

“Luckily, I was there to intervene, but it could have ended much worse,” he said.

The residents want the Govan Mbeki Municipality to repair the vandalised high mast light to improve security in the area.

“This isn’t just about adults, schoolchildren are also at risk. Many now walk in groups to protect themselves. We appeal to the municipality to fix the light before more lives are lost,” Mtambo explained.

The ongoing issue highlights a broader concern about community safety and the role of local authorities in ensuring residents are protected. As the people of eMbalenhle continue to demand action, they remain hopeful that the municipality will respond swiftly, before tragedy strikes again.

The municipality media liaison and content developer, Donald Green said the municipality has been attending to high mast lights maintenance in eMbalenhle and their programme aimed at accelerating service delivery while also reducing incidents where criminals take advantage of the darkness in some areas to attack residents. Green said the municipality has been appealing to the community to stand up against their infrastructure vandalism.

“The constant vandalism of critical essential infrastructure is hampering service delivery to residents.

Several high mast lights in eMbalenhle are being stripped of cables and other parts which pose a danger to the community safety, said Green.

Green said residents can help the municipality avoid incurring additional costs to repair or replace the existing infrastructure with funds that could be spent on providing services where they are needed most. Green also said residents are encouraged to report cable theft to their nearest police station to prevent vandalism of the public lights.