Birch Acres residents fed up with pothole-ridden street
Business owner Luan Herbst said that while filling potholes, he discovered a soft and unstable base beneath the tar, raising further safety concerns.
Residents of Birch Acres Ext 13 have voiced their frustration over the deteriorating condition of Katakoeroe Street, where a stretch of road from the residential area towards Birch Acres Primary School has become riddled with potholes.
According to residents, the situation has worsened over time, with incidents of vehicles getting stuck becoming increasingly common. On some days, as many as four vehicles have reportedly been trapped in the potholes.
Resident Dolphus Khumalo said he has repeatedly reported the issue to Ward 13 Clr Bulelwa Ngqwangi since May 2025, and has also logged complaints with the municipality since January. However, he claims no meaningful action or updates have followed.
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Khumalo said the large potholes have made daily life difficult, severely affecting mobility in the area. He added that motorists and scholar transport vehicles often get stuck and require assistance.
He alleged that the condition of the road has contributed to an increase in crime, with criminals taking advantage of the situation.
“I was hijacked right outside my gate. You often see a car parked on the street, and you don’t know if it’s because they are stuck and need help, or if they are waiting to mug you,” said Khumalo.
In an attempt to address the issue, community members have started collecting rubble to fill the potholes. However, residents say this is only a temporary measure and are calling for a long-term solution.
Local business owner Luan Herbst said that while trying to fill the potholes, he discovered a soft and unstable base beneath the tar, raising further safety concerns.
“It’s frustrating, as it also affects my business. My clients refuse to come to the workshop because they end up with more damage to their vehicles than what they initially came for,” said Herbst.
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Ward 13 Clr Bulelwa Ngqwangi acknowledged the problem, attributing it to limited resources and underlying water issues that make the roads prone to potholes.
She said she regularly reports the issue and, during a council meeting on April 20, requested the MMC for Roads and Transport, Lindiwe Mguni, to urgently address the condition of Katakoeroe Street following reports of four vehicles getting stuck in a single day.
“The MMC responded by saying she will forward the report to her HOD, and once a response is received, it will be communicated to the community,” said Ngqwangi.
Kempton Express reached out to the City of Ekurhuleni for comment, but no response had been received at the time of publication.
