Reduced budget delays repairs to Main Reef Road

Motorists travelling to and from Brakpan will have to make use of alternative routes for a while longer as repairs to Main Reef Road are not likely to take place any time soon.

The City of Ekurhuleni confirmed to the Herald that because of a reduced capital budget during Covid-19, the roads and stormwater department can only now plan on the 2022/2023 budget for repairs.

This section of road has been closed since November 2020 with the City previously stating that repairs would be made during the 2021/2022 financial year. The road was initially closed to allow for repairs of a large sinkhole, formed because of illegal mining.

Illegal mining has plagued the area surrounding the Plastic City informal settlement for some time, and there have been several sinkholes over the years, but zama zamas used the closure of the road to their advantage.

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In February last year, the Herald published aerial photos of the road giving readers a bird’s eye view of the damage and devastation.

The images captured at least a dozen men on-site with their activities becoming more brazen. No attempt was made to hide the operation and all sorts of equipment lay exposed for anyone to see.

A portion of the roadside had exploded into a cavernous hole and the surface of the road was punctured with numerous cavities.

Now, more than a year later, it may only be a matter of time before the road completely collapses and becomes unsalvageable. City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the municipality is aware of the increased illegal mining activity.

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“EMPD is patrolling the area regularly trying to combat illegal mining activities,” he said.

Regarding the detour road, which passes through the informal settlement, the Herald often receives complaints from residents who are anxious about personal safety when using this route. There are also concerns about the road’s surface, which becomes difficult to traverse during wet weather.

One Anzac business owner also contacted the Herald to bemoan that the road’s closure has impacted negatively on trading.

Asked if there are plans for a more permanent solution for the detour road, Dlamini explained the department will keep on doing more regular maintenance work.

“This route is the main road between Brakpan and Benoni and can’t be closed permanently because the alternative routes past Leachville and Brakpan North are more inconvenient for traffic,” he added.