The City of Ekurhuleni (COE) says road maintenance and pothole patching in Mokgoba will begin next month, but residents are still waiting for clarity on when blocked sewers and overflowing manholes will be fixed.

Community leader California Bikizana told Benoni City Times on July 2 that several yards, including those inspected by Zinzile Nxesi from the mayor’s office on June 25, remain flooded with raw sewage, leaving residents increasingly frustrated.

While welcoming the city’s response to their grievances, Bikizana said the sewer crisis should be the municipality’s immediate priority.

“It’s worse now. The sewage is overflowing into people’s yards. They must first fix the blocked manholes, starting from Margaret Sathekge’s yard all the way down the street so that the sewage can flow,” she said.

“They promised to send a jet truck. Mr Nxesi, who received our petition last week, told us it would arrive this week. But we’re approaching the end of the week and nothing has happened.”

Municipal spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said he was still awaiting feedback from the city’s water and sanitation department regarding the sewer problems.

Road maintenance from August

On the condition of the roads, Dlamini said an instruction to proceed (IPW) would be issued this month to appoint a contractor for pothole repairs.

“The matter is receiving attention,” he said. “The department is working on the maintenance plan for the first quarter. Residents should expect visible work from August.”

Responding to questions about funding for sewage infrastructure, potholes and drainage, Dlamini said R250 000 had already been spent this financial year to upgrade Tsavo Road to a concrete surface to prevent further pothole damage caused by sewer spillages.

He added that a further R200 000 has been set aside for pothole patching in Mokgoba.

Asked how the municipality would improve accountability and communication with residents, Dlamini said updates would be communicated through the city’s Customer Care Centre (CCC).

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“The relevant departments communicate through the Customer Care Centre manager. It is advised that communication be channelled through the CCC,” he said.

Residents remain sceptical

Despite the commitments, Bikizana said residents have little reason to trust the municipality after years of unfulfilled promises.

“The problem we have with the municipality is its untruthfulness,” he said.

“We first submitted a petition in 2024. Officials inspected the area and told us they would fix the roads once the budget was approved, but nothing happened.

“When we returned to the Customer Care Centre, there was a new manager who said there had been no handover. The officials who inspected the area were nowhere to be found. We then met Mr Nkabinde, who told us the same thing – that they would assist once the budget was passed.

“I don’t trust them, but we will wait and see. We’ve been waiting for them for three years.”

Also Read: Mokgoba residents demand urgent intervention over sewage and road crisis