Cape Town – A bizarre video depicting a bakkie precariously wedged onto a pedestrian bridge has captivated South African social media, sparking widespread amusement and outrage.
The footage, which has gone viral across various platforms, shows a Daihatsu Gran Max bakkie seemingly attempting to navigate the narrow confines of the Kalkfontein Pedestrian bridge, which spans the R300 highway connecting Belhar and Kalkfontein.
The vehicle becomes hopelessly stuck just short of a sharp bend, raising numerous questions about the driver's judgment and the circumstances leading to this unusual incident.
TikTok user @ross.j10, an eyewitness to the event, shared the video online, accompanied by a content warning regarding strong language. The video depicts onlookers attempting to push the stranded bakkie free, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
Despite the Daihatsu Gran Max's relatively narrow width of 1665mm, the attempt to traverse a pedestrian bridge remains inexplicable and deeply concerning. The incident has prompted widespread criticism of the driver's actions, with many questioning their decision-making process.
The video’s appearance online has unleashed a torrent of comments from South African social media users, many expressing disbelief and humour. On the ‘We Are South Africans’ Facebook page, Denis Pereira succinctly captured the sentiment of many: “Only in South Africa do we have so much comedy.”
This comment was echoed by numerous others, highlighting the incredulity surrounding the event. The incident has become a source of both amusement and frustration, with many questioning how such a situation could even arise.
@ross.j10
The City of Cape Town has acknowledged the video and the incident it depicts, although they are unable to confirm the precise date and time of the occurrence. A statement released by the City highlighted the illegality and danger of driving vehicles onto pedestrian bridges.
"The City is not able to confirm the date and time that the video was recorded when the incident happened. Unfortunately the vehicle’s number plate is not visible," the statement read.
The statement further emphasised the violation of traffic by-laws and the potential risks posed to both pedestrians and road users.
"Vehicles are not allowed on pedestrian bridges and the relevant Traffic By-laws would apply. A vehicle on a pedestrian bridge is illegal and extremely dangerous and poses a threat to pedestrians and road users," the City's statement concluded.
The lack of visibility of the vehicle's number plate complicates efforts to identify the driver and potentially issue penalties. However, the widespread dissemination of the video ensures that the incident will remain a topic of conversation and discussion for some time to come.
The incident also raises questions about the potential need for clearer signage or physical barriers to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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