Johannesburg ward councillors have expressed serious concerns about the city’s preparedness for the rainy season, highlighting widespread issues with stormwater drains and infrastructure that could lead to flooding and other disruptions.

Read more: Car hits water meter, leads to flooding of two properties

Residents have reported slow responses to maintenance requests, with ageing systems clogged by litter and rubbish, and some drains at risk of collapse. The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has outlined proactive measures but acknowledged ongoing challenges from illegal dumping.

Ward 87 councillor Kyle Jacobs described his ward as facing significant problems, including stormwater drains filled with litter, blockages, and instances where concrete lids have collapsed into the drains. He noted that many issues logged by residents have seen inadequate and slow turnaround times. Jacobs emphasised the need for comprehensive maintenance across all drains, warning that without it, the rainy season could bring flooding, potholes, and worsened road damage.

He pointed to Zoo Lake as an example, where collapsed water channels stem from a lack of upkeep on century-old infrastructure. Jacobs questioned whether any ward in the city is truly ready, citing concerns in areas such as Westcliff, and stressed that relying on topography alone isn’t enough, as blocked systems could still cause major floods.

Ward 86 councillor Chantelle Fourie-Shawe echoed these sentiments, stating that Johannesburg is not ready for the rainy season due to poorly maintained stormwater drains and infrastructure that hasn’t kept pace with development. She highlighted problems in areas such as Albertville, Maraisburg, and Sophiatown, where blocked drains and weak systems lead to flooding, road damage, and sewer overflows. Fourie-Shawe referenced past issues in Randburg and tragic drownings in Fourways, attributing them to poor planning, lack of maintenance, and slow investment. She warned that without urgent action, residents face the same risks this year.

Also read: Impact of flooding could reach R150 million – JRA

Ward 99 councillor Hendrik Bodenstein said his ward is relatively better prepared than many parts of Johannesburg, but still has vulnerabilities. He flagged the Parkhurst substation as a major concern, where even light rain causes outages that plunge sections of Linden into darkness, calling for a comprehensive upgrade and waterproofing. On stormwater, he described the system as functional but fragile, with temporary road repairs likely to fail in heavy downpours.

Bodenstein noted that basic maintenance has been done on major channels, putting the ward in a stronger position than some neighbours hit by catastrophic flooding, though he added that an urban inspector has finally been appointed after years without one.

JRA acting head of infrastructure and planning, Khaya Gqibitole, explained that rain impacts stormwater drains by causing flooding when systems are clogged with litter and illegally disposed waste. The agency has been cleaning drains, culverts, and channels, and has partnered with entities such as PikiTup for awareness campaigns and with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department for enforcement.

To prepare for the rainy season, JRA has put in place the following additional measures:

• Regional Standby Teams: Each region has a dedicated standby team ready to assist with rapid road clearing and debris removal.
• Kerb Inlet Cleaning: Teams across all regions are actively cleaning blocked kerb inlets to ensure maximum water runoff.
• Accelerated Field Services: Field Services teams are assisting with skoffeling and cleaning kerb inlet mouths to improve water flow into the road gutter network.
• Bridge Maintenance: Regional teams will undertake desilting (removal of suspended silt) and clear rubble from bridges, in strict adherence to environmental law requirements.

There are also various projects currently planned and underway across the seven regions of the city:

• Conversion of open channels to underground stormwater drains in Ivory Park, Bramfischerville, and Orange Farm
• Reconstruction and rehabilitation of bridges and culverts (Pierre Road, Modderfontein Bridge, Sjampanje Culvert Bridge, Canterbury Culvert Bridge, Blue Bridge)
• Emergency and urgent stormwater infrastructure projects, including erosion protection and retaining structures in Getrude and Fairland, and replacement of damaged stormwater pipes with new culverts
• Stormwater management interventions along the Jukskei River in Alexandra
• Upgrading of gravel roads to surfaced roads, including stormwater infrastructure, in Orange Farm, Drieziek, Ivory Park, Bramfischerville, Tshepisong, Lawley, Slovoville, Diepsloot, and Doornkop.

  

Gqibitole highlighted safety precautions for residents caught in floods:
“Immediately seek higher ground and avoid walking, swimming, or driving through floodwaters, as moving water can sweep you away. If in a vehicle, stay inside, but if it’s filling with water, get to the roof. In a building, go to the highest level, but avoid closed attics, as you could become trapped. Contact Emergency Management Services if possible, stay calm, and follow the instructions of emergency services.”

For long-term prevention, Gqibitole said JRA has allocated R189m this financial year for stormwater upgrades in vulnerable areas such as Orange Farm, Ivory Park, Bramfischerville, Protea Glen, and Kliptown. Projects include converting open drains to underground channels, rehabilitating open channels, emergency repairs, and new catchments. In Region C, priorities include Fairland, Florida Hills, and Wilro Park.

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