Glencoe resident James McCarthy is calling for transparency and accountability from the Endumeni Municipality after his R21,000 pothole damage claim was formally denied.

The claim relates to two separate incidents on Transmission Lane, where McCarthy says dangerous road conditions have plagued motorists for years.

In a detailed letter to the Courier, McCarthy expressed his frustration with how the municipality handled the matter. “From the beginning, the process was flawed,” he said, alleging delays, miscommunication, and a lack of proper documentation.

The municipality reportedly justified the claim rejection by stating that damage could not have occurred at the road’s 40km/h speed limit. McCarthy, however, disputes this. “There is no signage to indicate a 40km/h limit. By national default, urban roads are set at 60km/h unless otherwise stated,” he explained.

He added that most drivers travel below 15km/h on Transmission Lane due to its deteriorated state. “There are at least 15 major potholes – some classified as severity level five. Yet, the municipality refers vaguely to one pothole, claiming it is too shallow to cause damage,” he said.

McCarthy has formally requested:

• Proof of the claimed 40km/h limit

• Evidence that he exceeded it

• Documentation showing negligence on his part

• The full pothole inspection report used in the claim decision

He also alleges administrative failure, noting that internal processes were said to be completed by 5 June, but email records show the claim was still being processed on June 13 – the day it expired.

Despite a meeting on June 20 where it was reportedly agreed that both his 2023 and 2025 claims would be reviewed, the denial letter did not acknowledge the earlier case.

“We were promised that potholes would be repaired before the end of June. That deadline has passed, and nothing has changed,” McCarthy added.

The resident has also raised concerns about missing documents in the insurance process, stating that no signed or complete forms were submitted, and personal details were omitted.

“The system failed us,” he concluded. “This goes beyond a burst tyre – it’s about the integrity of the process.”

The Courier contacted the municipality, which stated that the Finance Department is addressing the matter. In another development, McCarthy was later told that the insurer had closed the claim as it falls within the client’s excess and was advised to take up the issue directly with the municipality.

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