MEYERTON – Concerns over the safety of the Jim Fouché Street bridge in Meyerton continue to mount with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Midvaal now launching a formal petition to escalate the matter to the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi.

The bridge over the Klip River near the recently completed Riverstone Mall, has shown visible signs of deterioration, including erosion beneath the tar surface and deep trenches along the road’s edge.

Despite repeated calls by the Midvaal Local Municipality and local councillors, no substantial repairs have been undertaken by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (Gautrans), who are responsible for the upkeep of this structure.

DA councillors Phil Pretorius (Ward 14), Gerrit Viljoen (Ward 13) and Erline Jordaan (Ward 3) appeared in a video that was shared widely on social media filmed at the bridge, calling on residents to sign the petition.

“We keep on reporting, we keep on asking, but still nothing is done,” Pretorius said. “We are now setting up a formal complaint.”

Viljoen described the situation as “life-threatening,” pointing out that there is no longer ground beneath sections of the road surface to support the tar.

The DA will be collecting signatures at Riverstone Mall on Friday 9 May from 15:00 to 18:00 and Saturday 10 May from 09:00 to 12:00.

According to Pretorius, the signed petitions will be submitted to the Premier of Gauteng.

Midvaal MMC for Public Safety and Roads, Chantal Gomes, confirmed that the municipality formally appealed to Gautrans on 4 April, highlighting serious structural risks following a joint inspection in March.

“We need you to come and stand with us now,” Viljoen urged. “We need numbers on that petition.”