Major Intersection in Dawn Park Becoming a Death Trap as a Result of Growing Potholes
by Cllr. Sinethemba Matiwane — DA PR Councillor in Ekurhuleni
Date: 20 June 2023
Release: Immediate
Type: Media Statement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni is concerned about the lack of progress made in repairing potholes and fixing roads across the metro. In his maiden State of the City Address in April, the Executive Mayor, Cllr. Siyuvile Ngodwana, stated that the incoming administration “shall be accelerating the fixing of potholes on our roads and the maintenance of stormwater the drainage systems”.
This was followed by an allocation of R256 million to prioritise the construction of roads and stormwater drainage systems by MMC for Finance, Cllr. Nkululeko Dunga in the 2023 Budget Address.
MMC Dunga further promised that a dedicated pothole team would be established within the municipal works department to actively identify, prioritise, and repair potholes throughout the City. Regular road maintenance schedules would also be strictly adhered to, to help prevent the formation of future potholes.
The MMC also said: “When we repair potholes and clean our storm drainage system, we must employ as many of our people as possible instead of giving one person a huge tender only for them to exploit workers”.
It seems however like the EFF-led Coalition has gone silent on these bold promises. There has been no information since the State of the City Address and the Budget Speech about the ‘dedicated pothole team’ and despite over R256 million being allocated to the Roads Department residents have been forced to fill potholes with rubble and bricks after being abandoned by the City. Good Samaritans have also forked out thousands of rands to buy tar to fix potholes even when they have already paid rates and taxes in the City for these services to be delivered.
According to the City’s service level standards, potholes should be repaired within 24 hours of it being reported. Potholes across the metro are being left unattended despite being reported and escalated, are growing larger by the day, and are posing a hazard to road safety, and further destroying our already ailing road infrastructure.
The so-called ‘people’s government’ has seemingly gone into hiding and has not fixed a single pothole since the passing of the budget. Major intersections such as Percival Road and Prins Street, South Boundary and Percival Road, and Hassink and Galahad streets in Boksburg and many others are littered with potholes which have become a danger to residents and motorists. These 3 streets carry a lot of traffic to and from Dawn Park Clinic and Dawn Park SAPS Police Station.
Vehicles are forced to drive and swerve dangerously in the direction of oncoming traffic to avoid potholes. This is but an example of only the major roads in the suburb, various secondary roads are also riddled with potholes.
The DA urges residents to continue reporting potholes to the municipality so that it is recorded onto official service delivery databases where they can be tracked and resolved. We will play our role as the opposition in Council by holding the Executive accountable for service delivery and ensuring that the allocated budget is spent accordingly so that potholes and roads are repaired as stated per the City’s service standards. Residents are urged to be extra cautious when driving on the roads in the suburb.
Residents are double-dipped, by being obligated to pay rates and now being forced by lack of service delivery to use their own resources to fix potholes.
Attached to this media statement are images depicting the state of Percival Road and Prins Street, as well as the temporary measures put in place by residents to repair the road.
Media Enquiries
Cllr. Sinethemba Matiwane
DA PR Councillor in Ekurhuleni
082 390 4839
