Frustrated Glenvista and Mulbarton residents are repairing potholes on their roads because of a lack of action from the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) and the CoJ.

Despite many complaints, the entities have failed to adequately address the issue, leaving residents to fix the problem themselves.

Speaking at a media gathering earlier this month, JRA spokesperson Bertha Peter-Scheepers spoke about road maintenance issues.

“Potholes in the south of Joburg are a serious issue. We are working on how to resurface roads quickly and in the most convenient way possible for motorists,” said Scheepers.

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their frustration with the situation.

“We’ve been dealing with these potholes for years. Every time we call the authorities, they promise to fix them, but nothing happens. So, we decided to take matters into our own hands. We are fixing the potholes ourselves, at our own cost, because someone has to do it. The roads were not correctly resurfaced and are worsening by the day.”

The resident said the infrastructure is struggling to cope with the community’s rapid growth.

“The roads are not designed for the number of cars we have now. It’s not just a matter of fixing the potholes; the entire infrastructure needs to be upgraded. But instead of getting help from the authorities, we are the ones keeping the roads drivable. We are doing it for ourselves, and also for everyone else who uses these roads.”

The resident is disappointed with the lack of support from the JRA and the CoJ.

“They don’t care about our area. They only care about collecting our rates and taxes. We are just trying to make a difference, but it is exhausting. We need the authorities to take responsibility and properly fix these roads.”

These selfless efforts are a testament to the community’s resilience and determination to improve their living conditions.

However, it raises questions about the effectiveness of local governance and the prioritisation of infrastructure development in the area.