The state of Endumeni’s roads has left many motorists kicking their damaged tyres and rims with frustration.
In the rainy season, the huge potholes are hidden by pools of water. Victoria, Oldacre, Browning and Hajee Jamal streets in Dundee come to mind, never mind elsewhere in the municipal area, not to mention the much-maligned Dundee/Vryheid road.
A motorist was recently hit with a repair bill of R4000 when one of her car tyres struck a ‘crater’ in Victoria Street that was filled with water.
But how can motorists fight back?

There is little chance of these roads being repaired anytime soon, so the only route is the legal one.
How to claim damages caused by potholes
The Department of Police, Roads & Transport has released a comprehensive guide for motorists on how to claim for vehicle damage caused by potholes along national and provincial roads.

Many drivers are unaware of the procedures involved in making such claims, resulting in most damage incidents going unreported and unpaid.

The department’s new guide aims to educate motorists on the proper steps to follow when seeking compensation for pothole-related vehicle damage.

Step 1 – record the location: The motorist has to record the location of the incident. Smart phones can locate incidents using GPS. If GPS is not available, give an approximate location, for example ‘5km south of Allanridge, northbound lane’.
Step 2 – take photos: Photograph the pothole, the vehicle damage and the surrounding area immediately after the incident.
Step 3 – identify the responsible authority:
– Local roads: Claims within towns or townships should be submitted to the local municipality.
– National roads: Submit claims to SANRAL.
– Provincial roads: Claims should be submitted to the DPRT.
A list of relevant offices is available on the Department of Police, Roads & Transport website.
Step 4 – required documents:
– Completed claim form (available at DPRT offices or online);
– Police-stamped affidavit;
– Copy of driver’s licence and ID vehicle registration documents;
– Photos of the damage and pothole;
– Three repair quotes from registered panel-beaters. Or an invoice for repairs, an insurance letter confirming no claim was made, or an affidavit if uninsured;
– Doctor’s report for any injuries.

Submission details:
– Claims may be submitted in person at the nearest Roads Office or emailed to claims.roads@gmail.com
– All claims will be assessed based on the information provided.
– An engineer’s report will be collated and processed by the DPRT Legal Section before any verdict is released.
– Claimants are advised that this may take several months.

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