Nearly a week after a catastrophic event tore through Jacaranda Avenue in Olivedale, the road remains closed, and residents are no closer to knowing when it will reopen.

Read more: Jacaranda Avenue, Olivedale remains closed after 800mm pipe failure leaves the road in ruins

The 800mm pipe that ruptured at the intersection with President Fouché Drive did not just flood the road; it destroyed it. Shattered tarmac, a gaping excavation, and red-stained earth tell the story of a failure that has severed one of Ward 101’s most critical routes since March 16.

Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau did not mince his words. “I put immediate pressure on Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Johannesburg Water, as it is a major emergency. The intersection is one of the most critical in Ward 101.”

Johannesburg Water’s Puleng Mopeli told us that they were not responsible for the damage, since the responsible pipe was a storm water drain, which JRA is responsible for.

Also read: Calls grow to remove ageing Olivedale water pipe

JRA spokesperson Bertha Scheepers confirmed that officials were on site, promising updates on repair progress, but with no reopening timeline in sight, residents are left navigating detours and waiting for answers.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: The intersection of Jacaranda Avenue in Olivedale shows extensive road surface damage after an 800mm water main burst, leaving the road closed for nearly a week. Video: Nkazimulo Ncube #JRA #Randburg ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Randburg Sun will update this story as more information becomes available.

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