The City of Johannesburg Mayor, Geoff Makhubo and Transport MMC Nonhlanhla Makhuba visited Ebony Park Ext 5 on 5 February as part of their War on Potholes campaign.
The campaign will span for 60 days starting from 28 January and will take place across the city until 28 March.
The launch of the campaign was attended by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Citizen Relationship Urban Management (CRUM) officials, Region A director Abigail Ndlovu, Johannesburg Road Agency and Pikitup officials as well as councillors Makgoba Pagadi (Ward 80), Lesibana Lamola (Ward 110), and Raisibe Matsemela (Ward 111).
Host councillor, Matsemela said that they have been battling with potholes for three years adding that the potholes get bigger when it rains and peoples cars can get damaged. “So, today, I feel so happy that we are getting service delivery, this will most definitely make the community happy.”
Lamola, who is also the Whip for Region A councillors, said it is good to have such a programme running. “Potholes are dangerous to motorists. I now feel very happy with this campaign because people’s lives will be safe.
“In future, through our ward committees, our community members can report the potholes and other related services delivery issues so they can be fixed because they are an important stakeholder in our lives as ward councillors. Together we can improve our communities.”
Lamola concluded that he looks forward to this programme covering the whole of Region A including Diepsloot and the greater Ivory Park area.
JMPD Region A deputy director, Faith Lengwati explained that she had lent her support to the campaign because roads with potholes make their jobs harder because when an accident is caused by a pothole, they have to leave what they are doing at that time and shift their focus to the accident.
“But also, on an important note, we are here to educate the community about the general road safety rules, as well as the City’s by-laws, and to also encourage pedestrians to wear reflective or bright colours so drivers can see them when walking in the streets when it’s dark.”
The JRA further cemented the importance of the campaign by adding that Mayor Makhubo said that the war on potholes will be carried out throughout all the regions.
The mayor concluded, “The city belongs to everyone who dwells in it and, as a result, this is a joint effort incorporating all the stakeholders, urban inspectors and local communities. Without the involvement of our communities it will not be easy to win this war, thus we believe in active citizenry.”
