Motorists and residents are demanding urgent intervention after heavy rains turned a section of Republic Road in President Park into a dam.

The flooding, which affected traffic on May 5, forced motorists and pedestrians to seek alternative routes through State, Hofmeyer, and Dane roads after water engulfed Republic Road near Emasimini Cottages, believed to be the lowest point of the road.

Residents allege the current flooding crisis worsened after a property owner allegedly raised a boundary wall, preventing water from draining naturally.

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Under South African municipal by-laws, including those applied by the City of Johannesburg metropolitan municipality, property owners may not build structures, including boundary walls, that obstruct the natural flow of storm water, in a manner that causes flooding or damage to neighbouring properties or public infrastructure.

The issue is governed primarily by the City of Johannesburg Storm water Management By-laws 2010, which require that storm water be properly channelled, and not redirected in a way that creates safety hazards or damages roads.

Resident Aliye Flint claimed the wall contributed significantly to the flooding. “A dam formed because the property owner built his wall up. No cars can get through.”

When Midrand Reporter visited the area on May 7, floodwater remained pooled across the road, with one motorist searching for his bakkie’s number plate, which he said came off while driving through the water two days earlier. Frustrated residents also took to WhatsApp community groups, calling for immediate solutions.

Resident Gary Griffith alleged the issue began shortly after the wall was constructed several years ago.

“The wall was put up, and then it started creating a dam. The community asked the property owner to make some holes at the bottom of the wall, which he did. Then he became annoyed with the water entering his garden, so he closed the holes, and now we have a dam again.”

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Griffith added that, for decades, storm water naturally flowed through the property before entering the drainage system.

“We all know the storm water drain has failed, and for the last 30 years, the water has run through that garden. The owner only bought the property about four years ago, and that is when the issue started.”

Residents suggested temporary interventions while awaiting municipal action, including digging trenches at the lowest point of the road or reopening drainage channels through the wall.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Motorists navigate through deep water on Republic Road after residents alleged a wall and storm water drainage failures worsened flooding in the area. Video: Comfort Makhanya #caxtonlocalmedia #newsupdate #Localnews #johannesburg #Communitynews #Servicedelivery #Government #Midrand #2026 #southafricatiktok🇿🇦🇿🇦 ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Another resident, Fourtune Musonza, suggested installing proper drainage openings. “Complete draining of any basin works best when done at the lowest point. The block wall is now acting as a retaining or dam wall. Openings with trash screens have to be made at the bottom of the wall to let the water flow through.”

Other residents proposed installing several 110mm drainage pipes into the wall at ground level to assist with storm water flow.

They also criticised what they described as poor road drainage maintenance on Republic Road, arguing that the flooding should not have escalated if the storm water system was functioning properly.

“It feels like residents are now trying to correct drainage failures that should already be maintained by the roads department. That ponding on the road is serious.”

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