K60 road stuck in limbo for 40 years as informal settlement grows along route
Launched four decades ago to connect Sunninghill and Midrand, the K60 was meant to ease traffic and open economic links. Instead, the site has become overgrown and occupied by informal settlements.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng conducted an oversight inspection on September 26 at the K60 Sunninghill roadway, and Chilli Lane and Clay Oven informal settlements.
Read more: New Beginnings for Clay Ovens children
The K60, a provincial road project first launched about 40 years ago, has been left unattended for decades.
In that time, the unused land was occupied, leading to the emergence of informal settlements along its route. This has sparked growing frustration from nearby residents, who complain about rising crime, pollution, noise, health risks, and deteriorating safety conditions in the area.
The inspection also assessed the feasibility of linking the long-awaited road to the Rea Vaya and Gautrain transport networks between Fourways and Midrand.
The DA argued that completing the K60 is not only vital for easing congestion but also for addressing the pressures that have built up due to years of neglect.
Also read: Clay Oven informal settlement waste site finally gets government attention
The oversight was led by DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Human Settlements, Mervyn Cirota, accompanied by Roads and Transport spokesperson Nicole van Dyk, Fourways political head Patrick Atkinson, Johannesburg Shadow MMC for Human Settlements David Brand, and ward councillor Vino Reddy.
Van Dyk described the state of the area as shocking, saying it reflects years of neglect. “It’s quite shocking we still have so many people living like this. We’ve just walked through an immense amount of litter and shacks. But what shocks me more than anything is being told by residents that this is meant to be the K60, which started 40 years ago and has never been completed.”
Van Dyk also raised concerns about environmental neglect, pointing to heavy pollution in the Jukskei River, which runs through the area.
“Province allocates only about 0.5% of its budget to environmental issues, and it shows. The river is full of litter and pollution, which is trapping and building up downstream. That’s a real concern for health and sustainability.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth Nicole van Dyk, the DA spokesperson for Roads and Transport in Gauteng, is shocked by how the neglected K60 road has left people in the area and informal settlements living in hard conditions. Video: Ditiro Masuku #Clayoven #Fourways ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Reddy was pleased with the visit and believes that bit by bit, they will be able to resolve the issue. He said a census has been done, and more than 400 people are living in the Clay Oven informal settlement.
“The problem remains the budget. I am aware that there is a relocation plan; however, I am always told that they do not have the money to act on it. The people in the informal settlement do not have a problem moving; in fact, they are more than happy to move, provided that they get better housing. So, I am imploring the government to make funds available, get a land, and relocate the people so that the K60 can be up and running again, as it will help with the traffic congestion.”
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