A Durban-based truck driver appeared in court last week on charges of attempted murder and reckless driving after an incident at the historic Smartie Bridge in Gqeberha.
Mswawenkosi Mavundla faces charges after allegedly attempting to drive over community activist Eileen Leander and two police officers at the Wylde Bridge, also known as Smartie Bridge, in August 2025. The bridge, built in 1879, is the oldest in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro and has suffered damage from heavy trucks ignoring weight limits.
Leander and fellow activists Francis Jeffrey and Linda Meades launched a petition in October 2024 to protect the structure. They have reported ongoing violations by trucks, including incidents where height restrictors were broken.
The case, confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority, was remanded to 13 July. Jeffrey described the situation at the bridge as a free-for-all, with trucks continuing to use the route despite safety risks.
