Small businesses and overcrowding in Cosmo City have been blamed for the poor state of the roads in the area by Johannesburg Roads and Transport MMC Kenny Kunene.
Kunene claimed that the water from car wash businesses damaged the roads.
This was after Kunene led a road inspection campaign together with Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) acting CEO Louis Nel, community members and councillors in the area on April 17.
In a video posted on JRA’s Twitter account, Kunene said, “The residents cause problems and blame the government for not doing anything.”
[More]: Community engagement with councillors done along South Africa Drive, Region C. @Kenny_T_Kunene pic.twitter.com/v6zgBGgjMS
— Joburg Roads Agency (@MyJRA) April 17, 2023
However, one of these business owners operating near Central African Republic Avenue, which has many potholes, said car wash businesses were always blamed for potholes even when it was not their fault.
“This road is always like this every day… the roads in the community have so many potholes which show that they were not constructed properly. Car washes can go five hours without customers but the water is still flowing,” said Kabelo Sebola, the owner of KB’s car wash.
Kunene also blamed overcrowding on properties for the poor state of the roads. “12 people and 12 rooms were not intended to fit in one yard when these houses and roads were constructed. Due to overflow, sewage spills out onto the road where it causes potholes.”
But resident Takalani Mufanadi disagreed and said, “If they can increase the sewerage pipes none of this will happen. Rain is the main cause of potholes and creates a lot of damage.”
The inspection group identified Central African Republic Avenue, the bridge on South Africa Drive, and Guatemala Street to be repaired in the coming months.
The JRA acting head of operations and regional operations manager Lawrence Maseko said, “We already started from April 17 and we have the Road Surfacing Depot team here that will work on Central African Republic Avenue. JRA is already doing the preparation work.”
He added some roads could not be repaired until the stormwater infrastructure was put in place.
“Even if we can build those roads, they will be washed away if it rains.”
Kunene’s visit to Cosmo City follows his campaign to evaluate and repair roads in Eldorado Park on April 3.
