Kobus van Zyl, a farmer in Blaauwbank between Westonaria and Carletonville, has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of the R559, saying the growing number of potholes is putting motorists at risk and disrupting daily farming operations.

Van Zyl, whose maize fields run alongside the road, uses the R559 regularly to transport his produce to nearby farms. After repeatedly encountering deep potholes along the route, he decided to speak out about the issue and highlight the dangers faced by road users.

According to Van Zyl, the condition of the road has worsened to the point where drivers are forced to slow down significantly or swerve to avoid potholes, increasing the risk of accidents. He added that previous incidents on the same road have already resulted in collisions when motorists tried to avoid the holes.

Van Zyl eventually took matters into his own hands. Together with his workers, he repaired more than 100 potholes along sections of the R559 using tar he purchased himself. The effort cost about R44 000, most of which came from his own pocket.

He said the repairs were done properly by cleaning and preparing each pothole before compacting the tar to ensure a more durable fix. Despite these efforts, Van Zyl said many sections of the road still require urgent attention.

Van Zyl also believes much of the damage is caused by heavy trucks that frequently use the route between Carletonville and Randfontein. He argued that the municipality’s priorities appear misplaced, noting that a “Welcome to Rand West City” sign was recently erected along the road while potholes, which residents have repeatedly complained about, remain unrepaired.

He said the situation highlights a broader infrastructure problem and urged authorities to prioritise the maintenance of key regional routes such as the R559, which is used daily by farmers, commuters and transport vehicles.

Van Zyl hopes that by raising awareness, action will be taken to improve the road before more accidents or vehicle damage occur.

The Herald contacted the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) for comment. Municipal spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa said the municipality has an active programme to fill potholes and rehabilitate roads.

“Some projects have already been completed, while others are underway, including work on the R559,” he said.

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