Motorists suffer the consequences of potholes

Despite a backlog of nearly 5 000 complaints, the metro warns organisations not to repair potholes.

May 13, 2024

Jani de Beer 3 minutes read

HELM chairperson Alan Mallinick claims the gaping holes are the result of poor stormwater drainage, which the metro has ignored for several years.

Tyres screech, vehicles swerve, and tempers flare when motorists travelling on Pretoria Road, between Sports and Jay roads, try to navigate what one can only describe as a minefield of potholes.

According to residents and motorists, the gaping holes have claimed many tyres, caused extensive damage to vehicles and led to accidents that could have been prevented.

Alan Mallinick is the chairperson of HELM, a community-driven emergency response team serving about 600 agricultural holding households throughout Marister, Benoni AH, Zesfontein and surrounds. He said the metro ignored many reports to prioritise the road.

Having consumed most of the right-hand lane, motorists are often forced to veer into oncoming traffic to avoid the large potholes.

“These potholes are not new. Their location and severity put the lives of motorists in danger. The lack of sufficient stormwater drainage is mainly to blame for the extensive deterioration of this stretch of road. For years, we have raised our concerns.”

He continued, saying it is laughable that calls for the road’s rehabilitation fall on deaf ears continuously.

“The metro would argue that filling potholes, especially the section north of Vlei Road, was done on many occasions. However, how it completed them is in no way sustainable or in line with the municipal guidelines,” said Mallinick.

“The teams would simply dump tar into the holes, ensure that it is somewhat level and off they go again. It simply reoccurs because due processes were not followed to the letter,” he said.

Having to drastically decrease his speed, a motorist slowly navigates his way through a series of potholes on Pretoria Road, between Sports and Jay roads.

The metro responds
According to CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the metro’s Integrated Management System (IMS) reporting system prioritises visual inspections by the city’s roads department based on the road classification.

“Classification is determined by whether the road forms part of a minor, major or strategic route,” he said.
“Ideally, inspections, and ultimately repairs, of identified potholes should occur within 48 hours, backlogs and availability of resources dependent.”

Dlamini said 5 000 complaints were reported through various CoE portals, but because of duplicated reports, the exact number of potholes in the metro is inconclusive.

Despite the questions posed to Dlamini about the potholes on Pretoria Road, he did not indicate whether the matter would be investigated or repaired.

A pothole gapes among a patch work of pothole repairs at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Second Street, Northmead. Photo: Lebohang Pita.

AfriForum steps in
AfriForum’s Benoni branch completed more than 584 pothole projects throughout the city in the past year, heeding the call of frustrated motorists and community members.

With support from local businesses and residents, it is estimated they used more than 300 tons of tar to fill these holes, thus improving the road surfaces.

Jurie Ferreira, the organisation’s district co-ordinator for the East Rand, said these projects gain momentum during the dry winter months, thus ensuring the products used have adequate time to set without the threat of rain.

“The Ekurhuleni metro has unfortunately proven it is unreliable in terms of service delivery,” said Ferreira.

“It is crucial for us to take action and to play a role in keeping our communities and roads safe. Communities fear the infrastructure will deteriorate beyond repair without the branches’ active involvement. Repairing a pothole is a small gesture that can spark hope.”

Several potholes litter Sixth Street and Eighth Avenue, Northmead. Photo: Lebohang Pita.

Ferreira said the organisation identifies areas where road surfaces are riddled with potholes based on community feedback.

“Using this information, we will focus on a particular street or streets in a specific area and conduct repairs based on the availability of tar, tools and willing hands,” he said.

Dlamini noted that despite the metro’s challenges in assuring timeous pothole repairs, community-driven organisations should refrain from doing these duties unless they obtain a memorandum of understanding from the relevant departments.

Ferreira confirmed that, to date, the organisation has not received opposition or support from the municipality in its endeavours.

He invited residents to reach out to the branch, become members, or join its dedicated community groups to stay current with planned projects.