Residents of Mamelodi East Ext 18 claim that neglected roads in their area have caused severe damage to the suspension systems on their vehicles.

According to the residents, a lack of maintenance has persisted for at least 20 years, and once-decent gravel roads now turn to mud after rain.

“The roads are dusty, and when it rains, our streets [become] muddy. We cannot even open the windows to our houses because of the dust,” Mmorongwa Mpedi said.

He continued, saying that their councillors over the years have often blamed the lack of maintenance on the metro’s budget problems.

According to Mpedi, vehicles get stuck, public transport is often disrupted, people can’t get to work, and children cannot reach their schools.

Another Ext 18 resident, Mavis Babedi stated that other than RDP houses, there has been ‘no development in almost 23 years’.

According to her, everything grinds to a halt during the rainy season, and even the taxi drivers struggle to transport people.

She added that when they speak to the local councillor, the roads are levelled by adding dirt.

“We have pleaded with Tshwane metro and the councillor to try and build us better roads, but nothing has been done [yet],” said Babedi.

Chairperson of the Soil of Africa Bongani Ramontja conducted an oversight visit to the area and described what he saw as ‘the most neglected and deteriorated roads’.

He said the situation has been neglected for almost 23 years, and the failing infrastructure continues to endanger lives and undermine basic mobility for the community.

“Vehicles get stuck, public transport is disrupted, children struggle to reach school, workers fail to get to work, and emergency services, including ambulances, are unable to access homes of sick and vulnerable residents,” said Ramontja.

He said this situation has effectively isolated the community and turned daily life into a crisis.

“Vehicle owners are forced into constant and costly repairs due to damage caused by the road, while taxi operators reduce services because of safety risks and mechanical failures,” he said.

Ramontja said learners are often forced to walk long and unsafe distances, sometimes taking close to an hour just to reach the nearest accessible road.

Soil of Africa Civic Movement is calling on the MMC for Roads and Transport, senior officials of the metro, and all relevant stakeholders to visit the area in person, to see the conditions first-hand, and take action to resolve this long-standing crisis.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo acknowledged the deteriorated condition of roads, particularly Moshana and Kgagara avenues, and understands the inconvenience this poses to both residents and road-users.

These roads have been identified by the Roads and Transport Department as needing rehabilitation and are recorded on the city’s road infrastructure backlog, Mashigo added.

He said the current budget limitations do not allow the metro to commit to specific timelines at this stage. This process ensures that the roads remain under active consideration for upgrading as resources become available.

The city will continue to implement routine maintenance interventions where feasible to improve road safety and accessibility, while working towards long-term, sustainable solutions, he concluded.

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