Diepsloot residents demand bridge over deadly river

Over 480 people have called on the City of Johannesburg to build a footbridge at the tributary where Angel Sibanda lost her life in a flash flood.

Several school children cross the river at least twice a day.

Amandla: Action for Mzanzi started a petition for the footbridge on Friday, asking Mayor Parks Tau, to urgently build the bridge as a memorial to Angel.

The group’s representative Nqaba Mpofu said the matter was being pursued to “ensure that no more of our children die unnecessarily under our watch.”

He told GroundUp that Angel’s death moved hundreds of its members. “Together we’re horrified that a little girl could drown when a simple footbridge would have prevented her death.”

Mpofu said: “The City of Johannesburg needs to build the footbridge. It’s their responsibility. No-one else’s. That’s why hundreds of us have joined Angel’s mother in asking for a footbridge in Diepsloot.”

He called on others who share his organisations sentiments to make their voices heard. “When one of us raises our voice, it’s easy for government to ignore us. But when hundreds of us raise our voices together, we’re much harder to dismiss.”

“It’s only recently that the City of Johannesburg has started providing basic infrastructure development for the Diepsloot community. It’s a great start, but it’s time they listened to ordinary people - and before more children drown. Speed up getting these services to the community.”

As of 2pm on Monday afternoon, the petition had 487 signatories and had attracted comments from hundreds of people. Amandla’s objective is to gain 500 signatures.

The City of Johannesburg and the Mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

More about Diepsloot

• Here’s what Diepsloot residents want their newly elected councillors to do 18 August 2016
• Safety for Diepsloot’s cyclists just got better 27 May 2016
• Dozens of children have to cross the river where Angel drowned 01 March 2016

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