Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer has raised renewed concern over long-standing reinstatement failures on Pretoria Avenue and Nerina Street, saying residents continue to suffer months after water leaks were repaired, with road and pavement reinstatements still incomplete.

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According to Koekemoer, while the original water infrastructure faults were attended to, the aftermath has become an even bigger 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 Johannesburg Roads Agency (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.”

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Koekemoer stressed that the problem is not isolated to Pretoria Avenue and Nerina Street, but reflects 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, with 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 the 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.”

For now, residents of Ward 104 remain stuck with unfinished reinstatements, waiting for relief that has been promised for far too long.

Questions were sent to both Johannesburg Water and JRA. Their responses will be published once made available.

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