The City of Cape Town has uncovered the disturbing details behind recent damage to Jakes Gerwel Drive, revealing that thieves had been excavating material beneath the bridge in a bid to construct informal housing, Cape {town] Etc reports.
The culprits, who were living in man-made caves, have created a dangerous situation that could have led to catastrophic consequences if not addressed swiftly.
According to the Weekend Argus, Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, confirmed that the illegal excavations occurred under the bridge along Jakes Gerwel Drive at Viking Road, extending toward the N2. The thieves removed large amounts of material, creating a significant void beneath the bridge’s approach slab. The excavated fill was likely being used to build platforms for informal housing or for construction purposes, Quintas explained.
Local motorists first noticed a crack near the bridge, prompting immediate action by the City engineers. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the excavations had created a gap of 120 cubic meters, undermining the stability of the bridge’s approach. Without proper support, there was a serious risk of collapse, threatening both traffic and public safety. In addition to the excavations, it appeared that people had been living inside the “caves” created by the voids.
Emergency work has already been carried out on two of the four lanes, with repairs continuing on the remaining two. The large voids have been backfilled to support the slab and prevent further damage. However, a final solution to secure the area and deter future illegal activity is still under consideration, with no estimated cost yet determined.
Quintas emphasized the potential disaster that could have occurred had the approach slab collapsed. He condemned the criminal activity, noting the severe impact on public property.
Local government officials have called for those responsible to face legal consequences. The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, while not the authority for the road section, strongly condemned the vandalism and called for swift action from law enforcement to apprehend the culprits.
Also read:
City announces closure of Jakes Gerwel Drive over bridge’s safety concerns
Picture: City of Cape Town / Supplied
