Unattended reinstatements become a blight for Randburg roads
Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer has expressed frustration over ignored reinstatement issues in Region B, saying residents are left dealing with unsafe roads while the city’s backlog continues to grow.
Still no answers from either Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) or Johannesburg Water (JW) regarding the neglected reinstatement on Nerina Street and Pretoria Avenue.
Early in 2024, JW repaired a pipe burst on Pretoria Avenue in Ferndale, but the reinstatement work has still not been completed. The road still has a large hole, forcing motorists to use one lane.
Read more: JRA finally repairs water channel in Bromhof
Meanwhile, Nerina Street has suffered multiple bursts on different parts of the road. JW conducted repairs, but, again, the reinstatements remain the big issue. Open excavations are causing frustration for residents of Kensington B.
Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer raised renewed concern over long-standing reinstatement failures, saying residents continue to suffer months after water leaks are repaired, with road and pavement reinstatements still incomplete. According to Koekemoer, while the original water infrastructure faults are attended to, the aftermath has become the big frustration for the community.
Trenches, uneven surfaces, and deteriorating road conditions remain visible, creating safety hazards and ongoing inconvenience for motorists and pedestrians alike. “There have been no updates from the entities, despite escalating the reinstatements to JRA monthly for the last year.” She added that repeated follow-ups have yielded little progress, despite assurances that the issues were being prioritised.
The councillor described the situation as increasingly absurd, noting how long the problem has dragged on. “The reinstatements are close to celebrating their second birthday with no hope in sight for resolution anytime soon.”
Also read: JRA has not fixed the water channel that caused damages in Bromhof
Koekemoer stressed that the problem is not isolated to Pretoria Avenue and Nerina Street, reflecting a broader crisis across Randburg and Region B. “Reinstatements have been, and remain, an issue in Randburg as a whole. Since I took office in 2021, there has been a reinstatement backlog in Region B in the thousands, and climbing every year as water infrastructure crumbles.”
She believes the root of the issue lies in the city’s financial management and revenue collection systems. “The reality of the matter is, until such a time that the city digitises billing to ensure accuracy and reliability of revenue collection, the city’s budget remains a thumb suck at best. That leaves a massive gap in budget for entities to pay contractors and source the necessary materials to do what they are contracted to do.”
While residents continue to demand immediate action, Koekemoer says long-term change will require political accountability. “The only solution is that residents register to vote online or during registration weekend in 2026 and go out in their numbers to vote. Residents deserve a capable, accountable government that puts their needs first.”
Residents of Ward 104 remain stuck with unfinished reinstatements, waiting for relief that has been promised for far too long.
Questions was sent to both JW and JRA. Their response will be published once made available.
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