MMC Kenny Kunene highlights water damage as major challenge during #OperationRestore launch in Midrand
The MMC conducted oversight visits to several damaged roads in Midrand, including Freedom Drive in Rabie Ridge, where road resurfacing is taking place, and Looper Street in Carlswald, where teams are installing subsoil drainage pipes.
Water has been identified as the primary threat to Johannesburg’s road infrastructure, according to MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene.
Speaking in Rabie Ridge on March 22 during the launch of #OperationRestore in Region A Midrand, Kunene emphasised that surface and underground water intrusion were causing significant damage to roads.
“Water is the enemy of our road infrastructure. Whether it is on the surface or underground, it damages our roads. The potholes are merely a symptom of a much larger problem; our road infrastructure in Johannesburg has outlived its lifespan,” said Kunene.
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The MMC was accompanied by Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) CEO Zweli Nyathi and board members, ward councillors from Midrand, and various community members.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Rabie Ridge community leader Daniel Bowes asked the MMC to consider working with community members to identify potholes in the area, as the community know which roads have issues. #Potholes #JRA
♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North – Caxton Joburg North
For two weeks starting from March 22, JRA maintenance teams will address critical road defects in Midrand wards 80, 110, 132, and 112.
Their activities will include pothole repairs, deep patching, road marking, and sign installation, as well as cleaning and replacing damaged curb inlets.
Kunene conducted oversight visits to several damaged roads in Midrand, including Freedom Drive in Rabie Ridge, where road resurfacing is underway, and Looper Street in Carlswald, where teams are installing subsoil drainage pipes.
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“I am pleased that Freedom Drive has been attended to, as many community members have expressed their concerns about that road. I have received videos showing its condition, and I am glad the depot has prioritised it,” Kunene said.
“Lawlessness is a significant issue in our country. We have informal settlements everywhere, and when people settle without proper infrastructure, water is often directed onto the road surface. This is the reason we have issues at Freedom Drive; the informal settlement has been diverting water onto the road.
The MMC emphasised that JRA was committed to restoring infrastructure and assured residents that if they had not yet addressed potholes in certain areas, they would.
“Unfortunately, our human resources are limited, and the budget is also a concern. However, I have identified these issues that restrict JRA’s impact, which is why I initiated Operation Restore. We are reassigning workers from other depots to focus on specific areas for maximum impact. The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.”
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Residents also pointed out the need for attention in President Park, where many roads have become gravel and are continuing to deteriorate. They urged JRA to work closely with the community to identify roads that required urgent repairs, as residents were often aware of the most pressing issues.
“If you focus on one road like Freedom Drive, there are still many potholes in Rabie Ridge that need attention. Why not involve residents to help identify other streets that also require urgent repairs? Otherwise, some important areas may be overlooked while patching,” advised community leader Daniel Bowes.
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