Motorists and pedestrians in Fairland are facing daily hazards as potholes and deteriorating roads turn parts of the suburb into what Ward 89 councillor Zander Shawe describes as a war zone.
The areas of concern include 13th Avenue in Fairland, Constantia Drive, Edmund Drive and 9th Avenue, with Constantia Kloof reported as especially affected. Although previously reported, Shawe highlighted the seriousness of the potholes in his ward, after two accidents in Constantia Kloof, caused by potholes.

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Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but the councillor emphasised the danger for motorists, pedestrians, and parents dropping off children at Cliffview Primary. “The state of potholes in my ward are horrendous. Almost every street has some form of road deterioration. There is no specific area that is worse off – this is a wider issue.”

The councillor also warned of the serious risks posed by poor road conditions. Pedestrians are frequently forced into the streets because sidewalks are overgrown or poorly maintained, creating life-threatening situations. Vehicles swerving to avoid potholes put both passengers and pedestrians at risk. “We must take the roads seriously. These conditions are dangerous and can lead to serious accidents if not addressed.”

He added that progress is moving, slowly but surely. “We are tackling it, one pothole at a time, and progress is being made. From experience, when we log issues with Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), they are not always attended to promptly. Since building a direct working relationship with the depot, I am now seeing results. I’m willing to escalate all the way to the CEO if necessary to get roads fixed.”

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Shawe noted that JRA has made progrress on 13th Avenue by patching one section of the road. Although the work is a positive sight to see, he is pushing for long-term solutions, especially on 13th Avenue where a water table beneath the road contributes to recurring potholes. “JRA has advised installing a subterranean drain to redirect water. Even just 150m could make a difference and prevent resurfacing from failing.”

Accountability and follow-up are central to addressing the issue. Shawe maintains direct contact with the depot manager and uses regional JRA groups to escalate concerns. He stressed the importance of hands-on engagement to ensure potholes are repaired, noting that the agency is often overwhelmed by the sheer number of problem areas.

Shawe said ongoing co-ordination with JRA is yielding results, but a comprehensive approach – including capital projects and community engagement – is needed to restore safety and functionality across the ward’s road network.

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