Frustrated residents in Ward 91 in Rietfontein AH and Grootfontein, east of Pretoria near Mooikloof, are demanding better roads after years of deterioration.

Residents said Sinovich Drive is in very poor condition, especially on the Grootfontein side.

Eland Street, as well as Fisant Street off Foxtrot Street – the two roads on opposite sides of Pathways School for Persons with Disabilities – are also in a critical state.

Ward 91 councillor Henning Viljoen said Rietfontein is an established agricultural holdings area of about 20 years, yet residents pay full municipal rates without receiving adequate infrastructure, road maintenance and safety measures.

Viljoen said Sinovich Drive is in very poor condition, with motorists losing tyres, particularly on the Grootfontein side, and residents having to help commuters move vehicles damaged by potholes.

He said residents requested that Sinovich Drive be treated as a residential road, with stricter speed limits and enforcement, as some commuters drive at excessive speeds, posing a safety risk.

“Residents request that trucks exceeding 10 tonnes be prohibited from using Sinovich Drive as a through route, as it is not designed for such heavy vehicles.”

Viljoen said Eland Street and the two roads on opposite sides of Pathways School for Persons with Disabilities, as well as Fisant Street off Foxtrot, are unsafe for educators, learners with disabilities, and other road users.

Residents said Sinovich Drive has been in poor condition for more than eight years, with the past four years being the worst.

They claim the Homeowners’ Association (HOA) in the area has spent more than R40 000 on road repairs. However, the road continues to deteriorate due to the heavy volume of traffic it carries.

Heavy vehicles and speeding concerns

City of Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said an inspection conducted on October 27 identified maintenance needs requiring attention and provides a basis for prioritising the necessary work.

“Pothole repairs on Eland and Fisant streets will be prioritised while maintenance of Foxtrot [Street] remains constrained by funding, and a date for this work cannot yet be confirmed.”

Mashigo said a site inspection identified potholes requiring attention on Eland and Fisant streets, while Foxtrot Street is an unpaved gravel route whose maintenance remains constrained by available funding.

He said any proposal to tar or upgrade Sinovich Drive and Foxtrot Street will require a technical assessment and consideration of the area’s infrastructure needs.

“Such work would then be prioritised against other infrastructure requirements and the available capital budget.”

He said the city acknowledges residents’ concerns about speeding and pedestrian safety, particularly around Pathways School.

“These concerns will be referred to the city’s Roads and Transport Department and the Tshwane Metro Police Department for assessment and consideration of appropriate measures.”

According to Mashigo, the city has noted the request to restrict vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes from using Sinovich Drive as a through route.

“The proposal requires assessment by the relevant traffic and transport officials, taking into account the road’s classification, traffic patterns, access requirements and applicable legislation.”

He said the city undertakes road maintenance in Ward 91 through its approved maintenance programmes, subject to available funding and operational priorities.

“The region currently faces funding constraints affecting gravel road maintenance, including the scheduling of grading. A specific budget allocation for Rietfontein AH or Ward 91 has not been confirmed.”

Mashigo said the municipality recognises residents’ frustration and is concerned by reports that they are using private funds through the HOA for basic road maintenance.

“Maintaining roads within the city’s jurisdiction remains a municipal responsibility, with work scheduled according to assessed needs, approved budgets and available resources.”

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