Ekurhuleni to fix potholes in Fulmar Street near Kempton Park school

Following ongoing concerns about road conditions near Laerskool Kempton Park, the City of Ekurhuleni has acknowledged the presence of potholes in Fulmar Street and committed to addressing the issue.

In its March 19 edition, Kempton Express reported on safety concerns raised by the school and local residents regarding deteriorating road conditions in the area.

Fulmar Street, situated next to the school, was highlighted as one of several streets affected by potholes despite repeated complaints to the municipality.

ALSO READ: Kempton Park potholes raise safety concerns near local school

Educators expressed concern about the safety of motorists and learners travelling to and from the school, noting that the condition of the road had already caused damage to vehicles and created hazardous conditions.

Responding on April 21, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the municipality had not previously identified any logged complaints for Fulmar Street on its IMS system.

“No reported open complaints were identified on the IMS system for Fulmar Street. The potholes have now come to our attention and have been logged. An inspection was conducted and confirmed the presence of potholes. Repairs will be attended to before the end of the financial year in June 2026,” said Dlamini.

He added that while the system had not reflected prior reports, the City now considers the street a priority for urgent maintenance.

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Warning signs will also be erected as soon as possible, subject to availability, as signage is often stolen.

Laerskool Kempton Park departmental head Tania van Heerden previously told Kempton Express that the condition of the road has had a direct impact on motorists.

“Due to the potholes, I have had to replace two tyres and my rim was damaged. This not only poses a threat to motorists but can also be dangerous for learners, as some walk to school while others rely on school transport,” she said.

Van Heerden said the problem dates back about three years and has steadily worsened.

“We can’t drive on the left-hand side of the road or the right-hand side — we drive on what is left of the road. Two cars cannot pass at the same time because of the potholes,” she said.

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She added that the situation has affected teachers, parents and learners, with the school’s drop-off zone becoming increasingly chaotic and unsafe.

“The school has reported the issue to the municipality multiple times, but we have been told there is no capacity to repair the potholes. The potholes need to be fixed, and road markings need to be repainted,” she said.

Ward 17 councillor Simon Lapping also previously highlighted potholes as an ongoing challenge across the ward, calling for improved municipal response.

“Potholes are a continual issue in Ward 17, and there seems to be little desire from the municipality to deal with them effectively. Residents send me requests about potholes almost every hour,” he said.

He added that while complaints are regularly logged, delays are often attributed to a lack of materials.

“The only excuse we often receive from the depot is that there is no tar, which in my view is not acceptable,” said Lapping.

He warned that potholes pose a serious danger, particularly during rainy conditions and at night when visibility is reduced.

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“The department needs to ensure a continuous supply of materials and have teams on the road repairing potholes,” he said.

Lapping encouraged residents and parents to continue reporting issues.

“The more complaints that are submitted, the more likely the municipality will take the issue seriously. Motorists should also remain alert, especially during rainy weather, and drive carefully on affected streets,” he said.