JOHANNESBURG – City officials have launched an oversight tour to assess the capital’s deteriorating road infrastructure, with potholes taking center stage as a daily nightmare for motorists. The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) reports that illegal mining in several areas is driving repair costs even higher.
In the west Johannesburg suburb of Roodepoort, the main road connecting the Main Reef Road—a vital artery linking Krugersdorp to the rest of the city—has been completely closed off in one section. The cause, according to officials, is illegal mining activity that has caused the underground foundation of the road to crumble.
A spokesperson following the developments explained the severity of the situation from the scene.
“This is one of those illegal mining towns in the city of Johannesburg,” the spokesperson said. “The main road that was connecting the Main Reef Road is closed off in this particular section due to illegal mining, which has led to the foundation of this road underneath it to crumble.”
Motorists are now forced to use a makeshift man-made road, whose condition is described as “very horrible.” Only drivers familiar with the area can navigate it safely, and only bakkies and SUVs can pass without issue. Sedans, hatchbacks, and BMWs risk significant damage.
“You can imagine if you’re driving a BMW, if you’re driving your sedans, your hatchbacks, and you now have to drive through this particular area—the damage that you will have to incur once you hit a pothole and get a puncture,” the spokesperson added.
Local tyre repair shops in Roodepoort report a sharp rise in business over the past five years. Depending on whether a tyre or a rim is damaged, repairs cost between 500 and 2,000 rand.
The JRA distinguishes between two types of road infrastructure problems: standard sinkholes found in townships and the central business district, and larger “dimes”—massive holes caused by illegal mining. Fixing a standard pothole costs between 700 and 1,500 rand.
Statistics from the Johannesburg Roads Agency reveal that between July and December last year alone, over 20,000 potholes were reported in Johannesburg. The agency says it repaired approximately 20,000 of those.
While motorists who incur tyre damage from potholes on official city roads can file claims with the City of Johannesburg for compensation, those driving on the makeshift road in Roodepoort have no recourse because the route is not an official city road.
“The city cannot take any responsibility for fixing that because according to JRA, if you incur any cost related to a tyre burst due to a pothole, you can make a claim… but if you’re driving here, there’s nothing you can do,” the spokesperson said.
Of the 900 million rand budget dedicated to pothole repairs, just under 200 million rand has been allocated so far. City officials and the JRA are continuing their oversight visit throughout the day to probe the full extent of the crisis.