LETTER: Fix our broken roads or face a class action

Jan Strydom of Boksburg writes:

I’ve been a resident of Boksburg for 37 years and I use Rietfontein Road daily to commute for business and pleasure, and I noticed this road has over the years deteriorated to unbearable conditions.

This road is used by thousands of commuters, including people travelling to work and children who are transported to school in their parents’ cars or school transport, with others cycling to school.

On February 20, we returned home dodging potholes in this road and I realised we have become so used to being second-class citizens in Boksburg.

Starting from the intersection of Rietfontein and North Rand to Cason roads, a distance of 2 500m, I counted 32 major potholes that not only endanger lives but also could result in serious vehicle damage.

Recent reports in the press refer to local authorities cutting services for unpaid accounts. An action applauded by the general paying public, but when will the local authorities come to the party to provide all the services for which they are being paid.

I would like to propose that we citizens come together with a class action through the courts to force the council to provide all the services they are receiving money for.

These include maintenance of roads, parks, water leaks and the sewer system as well as cleaning services and administration.

I was recently involved with the sale of residential property in Commissioner Street and I’ve discovered that the property owes the municipality R950 000 and due to continual use of services it resulted in a write off of over R700 000.

I thought this was the worst scenario, but I was told by a municipal official that there are many more houses in Boksburg with even larger outstanding balances.

Would there be any legal eagles in Boksburg prepared to assist in handling a class action of this sort?

I thank you in anticipation.

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