Residents of Glen Marais have voiced frustration over the poor condition of Quinine Street and what they describe as a lack of meaningful action from authorities despite repeated complaints.
According to residents, the road is riddled with potholes, making driving conditions difficult and unsafe.
The community claims the deteriorating road has also led to more reckless driving, as motorists often swerve into oncoming lanes to avoid potholes.
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In one instance, a resident attempted to fill a pothole themselves due to the lack of municipal intervention.
Despite ongoing complaints raised in community group chats and with the ward councillor, residents say little progress has been made.
Resident Natelee Swart said she had to turn to social media to draw attention to the issue, even participating in a viral trend popularised by DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille, in which individuals symbolically “swim” in potholes.
“This problem is so frustrating because we contribute so much in taxes as business owners, yet we don’t see where our money goes,” said Swart.
Ward 16 councillor Jaco Terblanche told Kempton Express that potholes across his ward have not been adequately maintained for the past two years, citing a lack of financial resources as a key factor behind delays in repairs.
“This metro is in serious financial trouble. The fact that we still get salaries is a miracle. The city owes billions to its creditors, and many projects come to a halt due to non-payment,” said Terblanche.
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He added that the municipality often resorts to emergency patching, prioritising the worst-affected roads, and that he continues to raise concerns about streets such as Quinine Street during official engagements.
Following the council meeting on March 26, questions submitted to the MMC for Roads and Transport, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, indicated that the last assessment of Quinine Street was conducted in the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. A more detailed report is expected once the 2026/27 budget is approved.
According to the MMC, pothole patching on Quinine Street is scheduled to be completed by April 30, while a full road rehabilitation is planned for early July.
Braden-Lee Mokoena
