City commits R15m to address Germiston road problems

The City of Ekurhuleni has outlined plans to address persistent flooding, sinkholes, potholes and road safety concerns affecting motorists travelling into Germiston from the Primrose side.

In response to enquiries from GCN, the municipality confirmed that Main Reef Road has been included in its rehabilitation programme for the current 2026/27 financial year quarter, with work packages already issued to contractors.

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The city anticipates that the work will be completed by the end of November. The response comes amid growing frustration among motorists who have been battling deteriorating road conditions, flooding and severe traffic congestion along Main Reef Road, May Deep Street and surrounding routes.

One of the major concerns remains the sinkhole on Johan Rissik Road, which has resulted in the closure of the road and contributed to traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.

“The rehabilitation of the sinkhole requires a multidisciplinary approach, including intervention from the Council for Geoscience to close the illegal mine responsible for the problem,” explained city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini. According to the City, proceeding with rehabilitation before the illegal mine is closed could result in unnecessary expenditure, as the sinkhole could resurface.

Meanwhile, motorists will have to wait until the end of November for repairs to potholes on Main Reef Road, including those between Main Reef and Keswick roads.

The city said it would accelerate the rehabilitation of Main Reef Road to help ease congestion caused by the Johan Rissik Road collapse. Road safety has also emerged as a concern, following reports of smash-and-grab incidents involving motorists caught in traffic queues along the affected routes. The City acknowledged that incidents had been reported and said the visibility of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) was being improved to strengthen safety for road users.

In terms of longer-term interventions, Dlamini said: “The municipality has allocated R15m towards rehabilitating Main Reef Road and diverting stormwater from Makause to the nearest field to address recurring flooding.”

While the city’s response outlines planned interventions and anticipated timelines, residents and motorists will have to wait and see whether the commitments translate into lasting solutions.

For communities and businesses relying on these routes daily, the concerns extend beyond pothole repairs. They include safe access, reliable infrastructure, reduced congestion and protection against crime while travelling through the area.