Councillor raises alarm over Randhart pothole crisis
With no clear timeline for repairs, the state of Randhart’s roads remains a growing concern.
Randhart’s roads are in dire condition, with potholes on key routes raising safety concerns for motorists and residents.
Ward 106 Clr Tim Denny voiced frustration at the deteriorating infrastructure, particularly on Hart Avenue towards Toon van den Heever Street.
Visiting the area on March 11, the Alberton Record counted no less than 24 potholes within a 50m stretch – a pothole for every 2m.
Large cracks and uneven road surfaces add to the danger, forcing motorists to swerve or abruptly slow down, increasing the risk of accidents.
Some potholes have been there for more than three months.
City response and funding challenges
Denny took the matter to the council, questioning the MMC responsible for transport and infrastructure. However, he was dissatisfied with the response.
“The department claims they are filling in potholes, painting road markings and ensuring proper traffic calming measures, but this is contrary to what department heads and other ward councillors say.
“There is widespread financial mismanagement across Ekurhuleni, and no money is available for proper road maintenance,” he stated.
On February 10, Denny received a response from the Alberton Roads Depot acknowledging the complaints but highlighting resource constraints.
The response read: “All logged pothole complaints were noted. Please be aware of our challenges with resources like vehicles and depleted budgets.”
Warren Gwilt, the senior media officer in the caucus offices of the DA in the CoE, confirmed the severity of the issue.
“Potholes that have been there are more than three months old. The councillor has fought to have them fixed as soon as they appeared. All other wards in Ekurhuleni face the exact issue, too,” said Gwilt.
Denny’s call for action
Denny invited the MMC for Transport Planning, Roads, and Stormwater, Andile Mngwevu, to visit Alberton and witness the state of the roads firsthand.
“In response to my questions in council, Mngwevu stated emphatically that under his watch, the city is repairing potholes on an ongoing basis,” said Denny.
“The MMC has evidently not visited Ward 106, where roads look like the moon’s surface – riddled with craters.”
Denny criticised the city’s approach, saying, “It is disingenuous of the MMC to say the city has a grip on the problem when the opposite is true. A city cannot survive if its infrastructure is allowed to crumble and fall into disrepair.”
Denny has vowed to continue pushing for urgent road repairs. However, residents might not see relief anytime soon without more funding and resources.
The Alberton Record sent a query for comment to the CoE to find out when it will fix the potholes.
