An embankment along Hofmeyer Drive in Emmarentia has steadily eroded over the past year, leaving underground cables exposed and the road itself at risk of collapse.
Emmarentia Residents Association (ERA) warned that inaction could lead to major disruptions for motorists, injuries to pedestrians, and potential damage to electricity infrastructure. ERA Chairperson Saber Manjoo said he first reported the erosion to Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) in May last year. Since then, he has personally escalated the matter more than ten times, contacting the JRA, the ward councillor, the ward committee, and even the bomb squad, but repeated follow-ups have produced little visible action.

Read more: Resident says Hofmeyer Drive erosion problem is now critical

Manjoo said the situation reflects broader service delivery challenges in Johannesburg, particularly in road maintenance, reinstatements, and pothole repairs. The erosion, according to Manjoo, follows the course of the Montgomery Spruit. He highlighted that heavy rains early last year caused the waterway to burst its banks, and since then the damage has progressively worsened. “Over time, the embankment has continued to erode and encroach toward the road, putting both infrastructure and public safety at increasing risk.”

Ward 88 councillor Nicolene Jonker suggested that it may have worsened due to earlier infrastructure work. “I think it was a year or two ago, they dug to put in those service cables. Whomever reinstated for those services didn’t do it properly.”

Also read: JRA barricades Hofmeyer Road section while stream blockage plans finalised

The erosion has already caused part of the roadside to collapse into a ditch, exposing cables that residents fear could be stolen or damaged, potentially affecting electricity supply. “If those are damaged we have no idea what impact it will have on our electricity,” Manjoo said. “Furthermore, those cables are laying bare to be stolen.”

The road itself is increasingly unstable. Manjoo warned that the road itself is now at risk of collapsing. As Hofmeyer Drive is a main road, he said this would cause huge inconvenience to motorists, and result in significant repair costs. He added that pedestrians and animals could fall into the ditch and get injured, describing the situation as a real risk that is unfolding and getting bigger.

Despite frustrations, Manjoo said that residents are not seeking confrontation, only accountability and proper action. “With due respect to the MMC, this community will not make matters worse if the issues are fixed. We will just appreciate the work that they should be doing.”

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