Incomplete Lynnwood Road works blamed after rugby fan falls into trench and dies

A rugby supporter died after falling into a deep trench along the incomplete Lynnwood Road upgrade route near Loftus Versfeld, officials and opposition politicians said. The man fell from a pavement outside the Javet Art Centre as crowds were leaving a Springboks match and later succumbed to his injuries.

What happened

The incident occurred after the Springboks’ match against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld. The man fell into a deep excavation on the pavement and was later reported to have died from his injuries. The excavation was located outside the Javet Art Centre.

Site conditions and safety concerns

Freedom Front Plus (FF+) Tshwane mayoral candidate Willie Spies said the excavations had not been properly demarcated or marked. Spies told reporters that although the section of Lynnwood Road had been closed to vehicular traffic, it remained open to pedestrians.

“Excavations, reaching depths of between four and five metres in places, were inadequately barricaded, creating a serious hazard for pedestrians,”

Spies said early indications suggested the victim sustained severe head injuries and that doctors at the scene attempted to stabilise him. He added that, according to social media reports, the man died shortly afterwards and that the police had confirmed an investigation into the death was under way.

Other injuries and local response

Spies said two other spectators also fell into the trench after leaving the stadium. One was treated in hospital for broken ribs, while the other was unharmed.

Spies blamed mismanagement by the city and said the construction work had been delayed due to alleged tender irregularities. He offered his services as an attorney, pro bono, to the victim’s next of kin to institute a claim against the City of Tshwane on the grounds of negligence.

Political reactions and prior warnings

DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink and ward 56 councillor Tiaan Dippenaar visited the site at the corner of Roper Street and Lynnwood Road. Brink said the DA had been raising concerns about the mismanagement of the project for months and pointed to earlier actions by councillors.

Brink noted that at an October 2025 council meeting councillor Samantha de la Rey submitted a formal question to council about the incomplete project and the lack of progress. He also said that on 29 June 2026 DA councillors Tiaan Dippenaar and Siobhan Muller met with city officials and contractors during a site visit, and that Dippenaar had explicitly warned that safety measures were inadequate to protect pedestrians along Lynnwood Road between Herold Street and University Road.

“This is a clear case of negligence. There needs to be accountability and urgent action must be taken to secure the site and ensure that no-one else is placed at risk,”

Brink said the administration had failed to act despite the warning.

Official comment

The City of Tshwane has yet to comment on the incident.