Plans to address growing potholes and blocked storm water drains in Alexandra’s Ward 75 are underway, but residents’ frustrations mount as progress remains slow. Ward councillor Sannie Mavhona said interventions from Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) have started, yet lingering obstacles are derailing plans to resolve the issue.

Mavhona said, following a public meeting between residents and city departments on June 30, JRA took the initiative to tackle the long-standing drainage issues along Sixth Avenue and Josias Madzunya Street. However, the work was halted when JRA specialists discovered a spaza shop built directly over a major storm water access point, making it difficult for them to address the problem.

Read more: Neglected 19th Avenue’s drainage crisis sparks outcry among residents

“The person built where there is the main hole,” said Mavhona. “When [JRA] lit the area with torches, they were able to see the main hole, but they could not go in because the person built on top of it.”

Mavhona said she consulted with her ward instructor, and together they agreed the shop must be demolished. After discussions with the shop owner, an agreement to demolish the shop was reached, but the delays persist. “We are waiting for JRA to find their vehicle, the one they use to [do the demolishing]. They said they had asked for it from housing. I’ll do a follow-up with the housing department to see how far they are.”

Meanwhile, residents are losing hope that the longstanding issues will ever be fixed. Sinenhlanhla Hlongwane, who has lived near the affected site for four years, does not believe the problem will be addressed. “I don’t have hope that it will get fixed. I will believe it when I see them fix it.”

Another resident, Christinah Beje, said the problem is exacerbated by illegal dumping. She said trash, particularly plastic waste, continues to be discarded at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Josias Madzunya Street, despite community meetings urging residents to refrain from throwing their dirt near the major storm water drain. “These plastics end up going into the drain and blocking it,” she lamented. This was a similar issue raised by JRA’s regional manager Khumo Diphoko during the public meeting.

As residents’ hope continues to dwindle, Mavhona maintains that JRA has identified the key service delivery challenges in her ward and has committed to resolving them.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We’d love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!