Residents of an informal settlement in Strandfontein are calling for their ward councillor to install robots on a “dangerous” stretch in Spine Road where they claim nearly 30 people have been killed in
accidents over the past four years.
The community of 7de Laan along Camp Road says they are “dying like flies” because people keep getting hit by speeding cars along the busy road.
Residents and children have to cross the road to reach schools and shops in Strandfontein and they say there are no robots, a footbridge or even a
pedestrian crossing at the intersection.
More than 200 adults and 100 children now live in 7de Laan since it sprang up two decades ago.
Two weeks ago, dad of five, Moegamat Sedick Adams, 57, who limps due to a disability, had been crossing Spine Road to go work at a local mechanic when he was struck by an alleged speeding driver.
Nadia's brother Moegamat Sedick Adams died two weeks ago. Picture: Jack Lestrade
Sedick’s sister, Nadia Onaticus, 49, says: “He was sober, because people like to say the people in the camp are drunks. He was going out to earn a living.”
Community leader Maggie Kampher, says they have addressed the issue with Ward councillor Elton Jansen before: “We have asked him on
several occasions to place robots or a pedestrian crossing here. We have lost close to 30 people in four years.”
Ann Du Plessis says her 16-year-old son
sustained head injuries four years ago after being hit by a car.
Jansen has promised to give feedback on the issue as soon as
possible.