Long been in disrepair, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) arrived in Chartwell on January 21 to review and resurface Watercombe and Rietvlei roads in Farmall.

Ward 96 councillor Rufus Maswazi expressed his excitement. “It was a disaster to drive on that road before, especially if you’re driving a small car.”

He recalled the difficulty he personally faced navigating the uneven surfaces. “I am so happy that the roads agency finally came through to address these challenges. It is good news for me and the residents.”

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He said Chartwell is an agricultural holding area, which influences how roads are constructed and maintained. Unlike urban streets, these roads are made with subsoil and gravel, rather than asphalt. During the rainy season, heavy rainfall washes away sections, leaving rough, uneven surfaces.

According to Maswazi, JRA schedules maintenance once a year to restore usability, without over-engineering the roads. On January 22, Maswazi visited the site personally to ensure the work was progressing and would be completed.

He emphasised that the agency has a tendency to start projects and leave them unfinished, and his goal is to guarantee residents benefit fully from the resurfacing.

A month before, in December last year, Fourways Review reported that residents in Farmall remained frustrated and disappointed, with no clear timeframe or budget from JRA to address deteriorating roads.

Residents described navigating ungraded gravel, deep potholes, and poorly maintained sidewalks, which made festive travel and family visits stressful.

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Resident Rosalee Nel said: “The festive season is supposed to be a time to travel, visit family, and spend time with friends. Instead, we’re worrying about damaging our cars, struggling through potholes, and walking on unsafe, unmaintained sidewalks. It’s incredibly frustrating.”

Responding to these concerns, JRA’s head of regional operations Khayalethu Gqibitole confirmed that the agency was aware of the poor conditions and that an established maintenance programme was in place, including regular grading of gravel roads, re-compaction where needed, and addressing localised drainage issues to reduce deterioration caused by weather and traffic.

With the councillor actively monitoring the resurfacing of Watercombe and Rietvlei roads, there is cautious optimism that residents will finally see meaningful progress and safer roads throughout Farmall.

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