The City of Johannesburg’s Operation Restore continues its mission to improve road infrastructure and service delivery, with Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport Kenny Kunene, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) CEO Zwelibanzi Nyathi, and regional officials conducting site visits in Sunninghill (Ward 93) and Rabie Ridge (Ward 80) on November 6.

The initiative, which focuses on addressing road defects, resurfacing, and safety improvements, saw teams from JRA and the MMC’s office engage directly with community representatives and residents.

JRA’s directing manager Mamma Mashishi said the programme aimed to ensure visible, high-impact service delivery in both wards. “We’ve got a lot of tree root issues in Ward 93, and with our limited capacity, it’s been difficult for us to address them all at once.

We took the opportunity, with Operation Restore, to deal with those challenges in Paulshof and Sunninghill. From here, we’ll move to Rabie Ridge in Ward 80, where resurfacing, and the installation of speed humps near a school on Falcon Street, will take place.”

Read more: JRA’s Operation Restore ends 3-year uneven road battle in Paulshof

Mashishi added that the concerns raised by local ward councillors, especially around school road safety, had been prioritised in the rollout plan.

Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy chose one of the busiest intersections, Sunninghill Taxi Rank on Witkoppen Road, as the starting point for the day’s programme. The area, plagued by broken traffic lights, illegal parking, and congestion caused by informal trading and car washes, was selected to highlight the daily challenges faced by residents and commuters.

“I would like to implore the MMC to use his influence with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport to help resolve JRA’s account issues, and the ongoing traffic light problems on Maxwell Drive, Van der Bijl Avenue, Rivonia Road, and Leeuwkop Road.

“This is a major issue affecting all our residents, both transient and local, and I’m hopeful Operation Restore will help us make real progress.”

Kunene acknowledged the severity of the area’s issues, commending the councillor for choosing a location that reflected the realities of road users. “You chose the right spot. It’s not easy, but it’s exactly where the work is needed. We’re here to do what we’re supposed to do. Operation Restore isn’t a one-day event; it’s ongoing in every region. Despite the rainy season approaching, we’ll continue this work.”

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Kunene also raised concerns about informal car washes operating along the roadside, noting that the water runoff was damaging the road surface and hindering planned maintenance.

“We can’t carry out road markings in that area because the car wash is right on the section of road we’re supposed to improve. I’ve spoken to the taxi indunas – those car washes need to be removed to prevent further damage.”

JRA CEO Zwelibanzi Nyathi echoed the MMC’s sentiments, commending his team for taking on challenging sites.

“When you look around, there’s a lot that needs to be dealt with, from illegal taxi ranks to littering, but I applaud the team for choosing the most difficult spots to work in.

We’ve tidied many wards across the city, through Operation Restore, and we’ll keep going regardless of the weather or other circumstances.”

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