‘Planting trees in potholes protest constitutes vandalism’

The Tshwane metro’s Roads and Transport Section 79 Oversight Committee has strongly condemned a protest led by a local councillor and community members planting trees in potholes in Ward 2, Pretoria North.

Chairperson of the Section 79 Roads and Transport Committee, Ngoako Seanego, expressed his deep disappointment over the incident.

Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer led residents in planting vegetation in potholes, apparently damaging road surfaces in the process, to highlight frustration over the state of infrastructure in the area.

While acknowledging the public’s right to freedom of expression, Seanego emphasised that such action amounts to vandalism and violation of the metro’s by-laws.

“As much as we are in a free and democratic country where freedom of expression is guaranteed, this form of expression constitutes vandalism.

“We are aware of the damage done to our roads by the recent heavy rains. As the metro, we are doing our utmost best with available resources to address both the backlog and recently damaged road infrastructure across all seven regions,” said Seanego.

He said the Public Road and Miscellaneous By-law of 2004 prohibits individuals from planting trees, shrubs or any plant on public roads or sidewalks without written permission from the municipality.

“The by-law states that no plant may obstruct or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic unless formally authorised.”

Seanego noted that although the councillor has submitted a formal letter to the mayor raising concerns about deteriorating roads in the ward, the protest was initiated before a response was received, thereby sidestepping appropriate municipal channels.

“I find the actions by the councillor a violation of municipal regulations and a disregard for established processes meant to ensure safety, order, and accountability,” the chairperson said.

“We cannot allow individuals, especially public representatives, to act outside the law under the guise of protest.”

The metro called on all members of society to desist from destroying or defacing infrastructure as a form of protest.

In Ward 2, a total of 431 pothole complaints have been logged since April last year.

Of these, 357 have been addressed, while 74 remain outstanding.

Meyer said the municipality must just fix the roads in the ward.

“I have sent multiple emails to the executive mayor, to the director of roads, to the regional head, and even to the MMC of Region 1. I’ve followed up with the mayor’s office directly, yet not a single response has been received. It’s been months.

“We have followed the proper channels. We’ve responded in the way the metro asks us to respond. It has been done, and still, nothing,” said Meyer.

“The local restaurants are exhausted. Their customers are forced to drive onto the pavement just to access the premises. They are paying heavily for damage to their vehicles.”

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