Sandown residents are calling on Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) to urgently address the growing number of people living under the Katherine Street bridge, also known as the Sandspruit bridge.

The residents warn that the situation poses a risk to the residents, the occupants and the structural integrity of the bridge.

According to the resident Jill Hagley, the bridge, which forms part of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit route connecting Alexandra and Sandton, was constructed between 2014 and 2016 after the previous bridge was repeatedly damaged.

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“This bridge was actually built to manage flood water, because we have flash floods along this river. But we have people who are living under this bridge,” Hagley said.

“No person wants to live in this kind of environment, but this is a human tragedy waiting to happen.

“When we have flash floods, their belongings, the people, and everything get washed away with the flood water into the river. There have been floods on this bridge before, and there have been deaths of people.”

She also raised concerns about the integrity and the structure of the bridge, saying the bridge was never designed to have people living under it, burning fires regularly to cook and heat themselves.

“We need JDA and JRA to come and do an inspection of this bridge before a human tragedy happens.”

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Thembani Mncube of Black Tree Security, a private security company safeguarding the area, said they have received several reports about crime taking place along the bridge.

“People who cross overnight, especially helpers working within Sandown, get mugged,” Mncube said.

“We are not sure if they are robbed by the people staying under this bridge or if it’s other criminals, but we need them to be removed as soon as possible.”

Mncube added that residents are also worried about property values, which are being affected because of what is happening.

One of the bridge occupants, Philani Mgobhozi, said he arrived in Johannesburg in December last year to look for a job.

“I was renting a room with the money I had saved, but while I was looking for work, my money ran out,” he said.

“Instead of going back home, I stayed in the bushes because I still hoped I would get a job, until I met one of the recyclers who introduced me to recycling and provided me with a place to sleep here under the bridge.”

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He added that even though there is fear that during heavy rainfalls, they might get washed away by floods, the bridge is a very safe space for them, and they are living like a family.

Responding to the residents’ concerns, JDA spokesperson Elias Nkabinde said the Katherine Street bridge formed part of the infrastructure delivered by the JDA as part of the City of Johannesburg’s Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) programme.

“Upon completion of the construction works, the bridge was formally handed over to JRA, which is responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of the city’s road and bridge infrastructure.”

JRA planning head of department, Mpho Maruping, confirmed the roads agency is aware that structures such as the Katherine Street bridge are inhabited.

“While JRA manages the engineering aspects of the bridge, the removal or relocation of people living under it falls outside their mandate,” Maruping said.

“Enforcement is a collaborative effort requiring input from the JMPD, Department of Social Development and other city departments.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Sandown resident Jill Hagley calls on Johannesburg Roads Agency and Johannesburg Development Agency to urgently address the growing number of people living under the Katherine Street bridge, also known as the Sandspruit bridge. Hagley warns that the situation poses a risk to residents, the occupants and the structural integrity of the bridge. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #Johannesburg #SouthAfrica #LocalNews #TikTokNews #tiktoknews #BreakingNews #cityofjoburg #satiktok_sa #2026 #foryourpage #localnews #government #Sandton ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

While JRA focuses on the physical engineering aspects, we rely on our sister departments to manage the human occupancy aspect.”

The Sandton Chronicle reached out to JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla and the Department of Social Development for a comment on July 13 and 14, but no comment was received by the time of publication.

Updates will be provided once they become available.

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