Dangerous bridge shelter for homeless

 The dangerous bridge which Putana Nyathi calls home

 A place where Putana put his clothes 

 By Tebatso Mogaladi

A dangerous bridge in Mabopane Block S has become the home of a mentally disabled man, Putana Nyathi who claims to be from Phalaborwa in Limpopo.

Nyathi and his friends are among the destitute people who seek food around Mabopane station and Soshanguve Plaza daily.

However, the bridge where Nyathi and his friends stay has become the talk of the township as it is alleged that people are being robbed at the bridge. Among the items that have been stolen are cell phones, jewellery, hand-bags and expensive clothes. The attacks usually occur early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Equally so, house breaking in the proximity of the bridge is rampant.

Kutlwano Tau is concerned about the deteriorating situation surrounding the bridge.

“I think a question needs to be asked about the guys staying under the bridge. How do they survive in a dangerous environment? This is causing sleepless night to the residents,” she said.

She further called upon government to come forward with a solution that would see the community working closely with them to remedy the situation.

On the other hand, the chairperson of Community Police Forum, Lina Mthimunye was optimistic about a speedy solution.  She strongly believed that working hand-in-hand with the police would curb crime around Mabopane Block S and Sun Valley.

“People cross that bridge when they go to work and they have been complaining about young men taking their hand bags, earrings and money. Patrollers are on duty every night to deter criminals from attacking commuters,” said Mthimunye.

Mthimunye also said that they have recently lodged a complaint with the police about this matter which resulted in a police van being deployed to the streets of Block S starting from 16:00 until midnight. 

However Record’s interactions with Nyathi were fruitless as he seemed to be confused when asked about his safety under the bridge and for those who pass daily. “I do not rob anyone and I know nothing about that. Mina (me) I eat from dustbins at Mabopane Station,” he said. According to Nyathi, he was just a victim of government’s failure to look after its people.