Motorists, more than gatvol with the increasingly dilapidated state of Johanna Drive, have argued that it has become hazardous to navigate. Road users are now demanding permanent repairs in the form of a complete resurfacing.

They say the City of Mbombela’s (CoM) sporadic attempts at repair have only provided temporary, ineffective relief, as tar-filled holes are quickly reopened by traffic and wet weather.

“We pay rates and taxes and expect the municipality to provide the services we are paying for,” complained one resident. “We constantly have to fight with the municipality just to fix one or two potholes, which always takes months to merely patch.”

Motorists say they have engaged with the municipality on several occasions, but have received no positive results – only short-term maintenance, after which the road quickly deteriorated again.

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CoM spokesperson Joseph Ngala said the municipality is aware of residents’ frustrations about the condition of the road. He insisted that routine maintenance ensures that the road remains safe and usable while the city prepares for a full resurfacing.

Despite motorists’ unanimous contradiction, Ngala stated that the CoM continues to conduct routine maintenance, including pothole repairs and other urgent fixes. He added that Johanna Drive and certain sections of Dr Enos Mabuza Drive are scheduled for maintenance under the CoM’s official resealing and rehabilitation programme. Ngala did not provide a specific timeline for the work to be undertaken, but indicated that Johanna Drive is scheduled for resealing within the next two months.

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He said these plans are reliant on the availability of materials and favourable weather conditions, given the current rainy season. According to him, the main reason for the delay has been financial constraints within the municipality’s current budget cycle. “While Johanna Drive has been prioritised, limited resources are distributed across multiple infrastructure projects, resulting in delayed progress on this specific repair,” said Ngala.

“Despite these challenges, the CoM assures residents that Johanna Drive remains a priority and that the project will be completed as soon as resources allow. The municipality remains committed to upgrading road infrastructure. We sincerely appreciate the patience, understanding and co-operation of the community as we work to deliver lasting improvements,” Ngala concluded.