Ga-Rankuwa residents are calling for better road infrastructure following heavy rains.
On Tuesday, some learners and motorists had to stay home because they struggled to use the muddy roads.
The residents said the roads had been an ongoing problem since 2010.
Zone 14 resident, Moses Lewa, said parents had resorted to accompanying their children using main roads.
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“Cars cannot pass when it has poured heavily. You have to wear plastic boots or your feet will be stuck in the mud,” said Lewa.
“I see school children every day struggling on these roads.”
Lewa took matters into his own hands by collecting bricks that the learners can step on in the muddy roads.
He said residents have called numerous community meetings where concerns about missing school and work were the main theme.
“Others fear that should their family member fall ill, an ambulance would not get to the family when our roads are in this state,” said Lewa.
“It is even a no-go area for cars.”
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Day care centre owner, Reneilwe Mokoena, said when there were heavy rains many of the children in the centre missed school.
“The situation is very challenging. There is nothing we can do and this affects the proper functioning of classes as they are left behind and miss out on a lot of work,” said Mokoena.
Ward 32 councilor Floyd Thema said he was aware of the residents’ concerns.
He said the department of housing came last October and paved the road with sand but said “the temporary solution did not help with informal settlements like Zone 14”.
“We have reported the matter time and again to the directors of housing and the office of the MMC Mandla Nkomo. They have yet to respond to us,” said Thema.
“Last week when we followed up on the matter, they spoke about budget issues,” he concluded.
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