Ongoing excavation work and damaged stormwater infrastructure have left the condition of the intersection at Burger Street and Gerrit Maritz Road in Pretoria North unsafe for motorists and pedestrians.

Residents in Pretoria North are growing increasingly frustrated and fearful.

The intersection, one of the busiest routes in the area, has become a major safety concern after repair work was started but not completed, leaving behind open excavations, uneven surfaces, loose gravel, mud, and limited safety measures.

Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer has strongly criticised the state of the road, saying the situation has deteriorated despite repeated escalations to the Tshwane metro.

According to Meyer, the metro’s team initially arrived to investigate and begin repairs, but allegedly left the site unfinished.

“The team came out, started repairs, and then simply left the road in this state without returning. This is not acceptable service delivery from the Water Department.

“I will continue to escalate this matter until proper repairs are done. Residents deserve better,” he said.

Meyer warned that the current condition of the intersection poses a serious danger to the community, particularly pedestrians and elderly residents who use the route daily.

Speaking about the urgent intervention required, Meyer said the area first needs to be secured before reconstruction work continues.

“First of all, we need to clear the area so the cars at least can drive here and be secure. Then we need to look at the actual problem, fix it, and then repair this whole mess they’ve left here,” he explained.

“The corner is one of the busiest roads. People are walking here every day,” he added.

“There are no safety barriers yet. Somebody could fall in here at night because it’s very dark. This is a very dangerous corner and people can get very hurt.”

He added that elderly residents are among the most vulnerable.

“We’ve got plenty of elderly people here walking with walkers. If they fall into this, they’ll get badly injured,” Meyer warned.

Residents living near the intersection say the situation has become increasingly dangerous and disruptive.

“It’s extremely unsafe, especially at night when visibility is poor. This area is often neglected and we don’t know why. Pretoria North is one of the older places in Pretoria and most of the infrastructure can no longer take it anymore,” said resident Karen Botha.

Another resident, Ilse Siebert, who lives on Burger Street, said the area has become a daily hazard for the community.

“It’s winter now and people use this area early in the morning while it’s still dark. It’s a matter of time for something to happen and it must be secured before everything else,” said Siebert.

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the matter was first reported on May 5 as a suspected water leak.

He said a second complaint was later logged on May 15 after stormwater drainage concerns were identified at the same location.

Mashigo explained that the matter was initially investigated by the Water and Sanitation Business Unit before being referred to the Region 1 Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Depot.

He confirmed that inspections and assessments were conducted by both municipal departments and that investigations later established that the source of the problem was damaged stormwater infrastructure beneath the intersection.

“The damage has caused drainage challenges, which initially manifested as a surface water leak in the area,” he explained.

Mashigo said the issue could not be resolved immediately because the initial complaint required extensive investigations to determine the source of the water. Excavation work was carried out during the investigation process.

“Once it was established that the problem originated from the stormwater infrastructure, the matter was referred to the Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Depot,” he said.

According to Mashigo, the metro then initiated processes to secure a specialised high-pressure jetting machine to unblock the drainage system, but operational constraints delayed access to the equipment.

“Following several jetting attempts, it was discovered that the infrastructure was not only blocked but also structurally damaged, requiring reconstruction works rather than routine maintenance,” he added.

Mashigo said immediate interventions already undertaken include excavation work, drainage assessments, inspections, and jetting operations aimed at determining the full extent of the blockage and infrastructure damage.

He confirmed that the site has now been prioritised for repair and reconstruction work, with completion targeted for June, depending on weather and operational conditions.

The metro has assured residents that the matter is receiving urgent attention and that repair planning is already underway to restore the damaged stormwater infrastructure and stabilise the area.

ALSO READ: Innovative mobile desks transform learning in paediatric wards

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel