Communities in the north of Pretoria have experienced a turbulent year marked by infrastructure failures, rising crime concerns, environmental hazards, and deeply human stories that shook the community.

From service-delivery shortfalls to emergency-response challenges, each incident highlighted both the vulnerabilities and the resilience of residents who consistently stepped forward to demand accountability.

Every issue that emerged contributed to a clearer picture of life in the northern parts of Pretoria, a region where community action repeatedly filled the gaps left by slow municipal responsiveness.

Here are the five issues that most deeply affected Pretoria North this year:

Ongoing road damage at Pretoria North entrance fuels commuter frustration

The gateway into Pretoria North by the bridge near the Wonderboom train station on Rachel de Beer Street had become a nightmare for motorists as municipal infrastructure crumbles.

A large crater has formed due to persistent water leakage, but authorities have described the repairs required on the site as very difficult, due to the location and depth of the sewer infrastructure in that area.

The sewer leak was repaired, but repairs to the road remained incomplete, leaving motorists to feel the consequences which have made commuting on the route unsafe.

Despite multiple complaints and ongoing communication with metro authorities, the situation had not improved in months, and motorists had reached breaking point.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/2025/08/07/ongoing-road-damage-at-pretoria-north-entrance-fuels-commuter-frustration/

Shocking circumstances at Akasia Police Station lead to intervention

Police officers at Akasia Police Station were forced to process suspects in office boardrooms due to a lack of holding cells.

This shocking revelation came to light during an oversight inspection by the DA in Gauteng, raising serious concerns about safety, human rights, and the state’s ability to uphold law and order.

According to DA Gauteng Leader, Solly Msimanga, the station was meant to operate with at least 24 vehicles to serve its vast policing area of over 150 square kilometres.

Msimanga said only 13 vehicles were currently working, and just five could be used for visible policing.

During the site visit, it was also discovered that suspects were often brought into administrative areas, including the station’s boardroom, to be processed and held temporarily while waiting for transfer.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/2025/07/14/shocking-circumstances-at-akasia-police-station-lead-to-intervention/

‘Water smells like a dam’: Montana residents lose patience

The ongoing issue of discoloured and foul-smelling water in Montana and the surrounding suburbs continued to frustrate residents, despite repeated assurances from the metro that it was safe to drink.

The problem, which dated back several months, led to growing public dissatisfaction, a community petition, and mounting pressure on the metro to release official laboratory reports confirming water quality.

Residents in areas supplied by the Montana Reservoir, including Sinoville, Magalieskruin, Doornpoort, Annlin, and parts of Derdepoort, reported that their tap water has a brownish colour and smelt like it came straight from the dam.

Complaints intensified in July when residents began raising concerns about water quality and odour linked to the Roodeplaat Water Treatment Works (WTW).

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that multiple tests were conducted since the first reports of discoloured and smelly water emerged.

“Montana is currently supplied via a bypass from Garsfontein. All results were within acceptable limits as prescribed by SANS241.”

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2025/10/23/water-smells-like-a-dam-montana-residents-lose-patience/

Wonderboom-Akasia BRT to connect to Mamelodi in future

The Tshwane Metro pushed ahead with its ambitious public transport overhaul in the north of Pretoria.

The overhaul would result in the extension of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) from Wonderboom to Akasia.

Although not part of the current five-year implementation schedule, the Wonderboom–Akasia route was earmarked for development under the metro’s 15-year IRPTN vision.

This route, known as Line 1B, would connect Wonderboom to Akasia and eventually link to Kopanong in Mamelodi through Line 1C, to improve mobility for thousands of commuters in the northern parts of Tshwane.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said this was part of the metro’s broader transformation initiative to provide safe, reliable, and affordable transport.

“We are committed to delivering accessible and efficient public transport that benefits all communities, especially those who have historically been marginalised,” said Mashigo.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/2025/05/02/wonderboom-akasia-brt-to-connect-to-mamelodi-in-future/

Metro firefighters responded promptly and effectively to the Klerksoord inferno – Tshwane EMS

Residents expressed alarm at what they described as a toxic blanket drifting over their homes. Private firefighters’ help was refused, which the DA and AfriForum questioned.

While the Tshwane Emergency Services (TEMS) confirmed that the cause of the fire had not yet been established, the DA accused the Tshwane Metro of rejecting help from private firefighting companies that had offered to assist.

Former TEMS spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni dismissed the DA’s claims outright, insisting that the metro’s firefighting teams responded promptly and effectively.

According to Mnguni, the deployment was carefully co-ordinated to match the scale of the fire, which presented dangerous challenges due to the heat intensity and thick smoke that characterise tyre-related fires.

“Our teams worked systematically to isolate the fire and manage the intense heat and smoke conditions.

“Through co-ordinated action, the flames were contained, limiting the extent of the damage and safeguarding nearby communities,” he said.

But as fire crews fought to contain the flames, outside in Klerksoord and surrounding communities, the black haze hung heavy in the air.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2025/08/21/metro-firefighters-responded-promptly-and-effectively-to-klerksoord-inferno-tshwane-ems/

Areas in the north endured another challenging year marked by infrastructure decay, rising crime, growing homelessness, and environmental neglect. Yet through every frustration, residents consistently stepped forward, logging calls, organising neighbourhood watch groups, cleaning up dumping sites, and demanding accountability from the metro.

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