Damaged roads and blocked stormwater drains have become a pressing concern for residents in Ward 75.
Councillor Sannie Mavhona said the problems are complex, involving not only municipal agencies but also community behaviour.

Mavhona explained that although she had repeatedly engaged the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to address the situation, the responsibility did not lie solely with the authorities. “It is not only about JRA, even we as a community, but we are doing wrong things. I remember once going there with JRA to ensure they fix the stormwater drain so water may be channelled into the drain and not flow on the road. While we were still standing there, a woman came out and threw a plastic bag there. We as a community have a hand in what is happening there.”

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She said illegal structures have worsened the situation. “There is a shack that has been built on top of a stormwater drain. When I went to JRA to complain, they said there is a shack there. When I came in as a councillor in 2016, there were no shacks there. Now they have built shacks even though they see how the place looks. At the end of the day, they [residents] feel neglected, which is not true.”

She described the difficulties of relocation when residents build on top of infrastructure, noting that there was someone who built directly on top of a manhole, and when it started to sink, the person wanted to be moved. “Where would they be relocated to? Because there is nobody who put them there? These are the problems we encounter as councillors.”

Despite these challenges, Mavhona confirmed that JRA had committed to attending to stormwater drains, using specialised trucks to unblock them. She noted, however, that budgetary constraints may delay road repairs. “It is true that our roads are damaged, more especially 6th Avenue. When I came in as a councillor, I organised the repair of 6th Avenue, but look at how it is right now because of the water. The residents have also installed their own pipes there, and they also do their laundry, so even when JRA comes to fix, we are going to have a big issue with water.”

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Mavhona believes that JRA should find a way forward on how they are going to address the issues in her ward. As for herself, she defended her record, emphasising that she delivers services to residents.

Alex News reached out to JRA on April 13 and will provide further information once a response has been received.

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