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Unauthorised occupation of Grayston drive pedestrian bridge raises concerns

Residents are alarmed by reports of vagrants occupying a compartment at the base of the pedestrian bridge, prompting calls for immediate action from local authorities.

In a troubling situation that has raised safety concerns, a pedestrian bridge spanning Grayston Drive has been reportedly occupied by individuals seeking refuge in a compartment intended for support cables.

A resident who asked not to be named raised the alarm, emphasising the potential dangers posed by this unauthorised occupation.

“The bridge has several support cables which end up in a compartment at the base. For some time now, someone has gained access to the compartment by opening the steel door leading to the cable anchors and appears to be occupying it. I think this is potentially dangerous and needs to be attended to,” the resident said.

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In response to these concerns, JMPD acknowledged that they were unaware of this situation. Spokesperson Xolani Fihla said, “The JMPD will increase patrols in the vicinity of the bridge to assess the situation and address any immediate safety concerns.”

He underscored the importance of liaising with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) on such matters. “Attempting to engage with the individuals involved and understand their circumstances is part of our protocol. If necessary, and within the scope of our authority, we will remove individuals who pose a safety or security risk.”

The unauthorised occupation of a Grayston Drive pedestrian bridge compartment raises safety concerns.

JRA head of department for regional operations Khayalethu Gqibitole said while they were aware of similar issues around the city, policing of vagrants did not fall under their mandate.

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“The JRA, together with other entities, tried to resolve this matter by removing displaced people off the freeway and under the bridges. Unfortunately, eviction laws are restricting,” Gqibitole said.

He highlighted potential risks associated with such occupations, including vandalism, theft, and littering, while reiterating that structural integrity must be a priority during maintenance work.

“If the structural integrity of the bridge is in question, the JRA does its best to address it during upgrades or work together with the relevant authorities to resolve the matter. Maintenance work will be undertaken on the bridge in the next four weeks, which will include cleaning and replacing vandalised materials.”

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