A gaping pothole on Bram Fischer Drive in Randburg has left residents, commuters and taxi drivers frustrated, raising questions about the effectiveness of a R35.5m road upgrade project.
Taxi driver Tibatso Ramolo said the pothole is damaging vehicles and creating dangerous driving conditions. “The hole is really affecting us. Our cars are getting damaged. My tyre got punctured because of this hole. Sometimes it can even cause accidents because if one driver swerves to avoid it, they might crash into another person.”
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Resident Joyce Khubeka echoed the concern, saying the situation had become a serious hazard for both motorists and pedestrians.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Joyce Khubeka, from the Randburg Taxi Rank offices, urges government officials to prioritise repairs before the rainy season makes the road more hazardous. Video: Nkazimulo Ncube #LocalNews #caxtonlocalmedia #trendingviralvideo #SA ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
“We have a big problem in our streets. That pothole is very big and is a danger, especially now that we are approaching the rainy season. People could fall in and seriously injure themselves. I urge government officials to show some care and fix this. We already pay high taxi fares that are set to increase this month; the least they can do is meet us halfway.”
Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman confirmed that the issue remained unresolved. “I went past the hole earlier. Nothing has changed. The hole is still there. When you hear there’s a R35.5m upgrade and then you see that, it doesn’t look like R35.5m, does it?”
Residents have urged the city to prioritise repairs before the rainy season makes the road even more hazardous.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Residents use the gaping hole on Bram Fischer Drive as a watering hole. Video: Nkazimulo Ncube #LocalNews #trendingviralvideo #caxtonlocalmedia #SA ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Head of Regional Operations for Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) Khaya Gqibitole confirmed that the road at the intersection of Bram Fischer Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue was excavated by Johannesburg Water for pipe repairs.
JRA has scheduled the reinstatement for the week ending on September 19.
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