The Tshwane metro has begun road grading work in Stinkwater Ext 10, following mounting pressure from residents who complained about deteriorating road conditions and poor access within the informal settlement.

The intervention comes after ongoing engagements between the metro and the community, where residents raised concerns about severe erosion caused by persistent rainfall, making it difficult for vehicles, public transport, and emergency services to enter the area.

MMC for Human Settlements, Alderman Aaron Maluleka, confirmed that the grading of roads had begun as part of the metro’s efforts to improve accessibility and service delivery in the area.

“Road grading work in Ext 10 is progressing well as part of our commitment to improve accessibility and service delivery in the area,” said Maluleka.

“This intervention follows ongoing engagements with the community, where residents raised concerns about the poor condition of roads and the difficulties experienced when accessing the area, especially during bad weather,” he said.

According to Maluleka, the grading of the roads would improve movement within the settlement and make it easier for emergency personnel and service providers to access the area.

The road repairs come weeks after residents staged protests over service delivery challenges in the area, including concerns related to water provision, sanitation, and refuse collection.

Angry residents previously blocked the Makinta Highway in an attempt to draw attention to their frustrations.

Obakeng Molefe, a local resident, welcomed the road grading project, saying the conditions had become unbearable after heavy rains damaged the roads.

“We are happy to finally see the metro working on the roads. That meeting between the community and the metro really helped us because if there was no meeting, I highly doubt that this could have happened,” he said.

Molefe said the intervention would bring relief to many families who have struggled with accessibility for months.

“People have been complaining for a long time because school children, workers and emergency vehicles were struggling to move around.

“We hope the municipality will continue with other services and not stop with the roads only,” he said.

Maluleka said the metro remained committed to ensuring that communities in informal settlements were not neglected when it came to service delivery and infrastructure development.

“We remain committed to ensuring that no community is left behind when it comes to basic service delivery and infrastructure improvements,” he said.

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