Polokwane’s pothole crisis worsens as repair budget runs dry

POLOKWANE – Potholes are appearing daily across Polokwane’s streets, with areas once free of road damage now barely drivable.

While the municipality continues to issue statements about upcoming events and social activities, residents are frustrated by the lack of funds to repair the deteriorating roads.

In an interview, municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala explained the ongoing pothole issue, saying that the municipality’s budget for maintenance contractors has been depleted.

As a result, only two city council teams are currently working on filling potholes.

Selala clarified that the new financial year starts in July, and the operations and maintenance budget currently stands at 64% expenditure, with 75% of the financial year already passed.

“Unusually high rainfall has increased the need for road and stormwater maintenance. To address this backlog, seven external service providers have been hired to assist the in-house team. The operations and maintenance plan for 2024/25 aligns with previous baselines to ensure proper resource allocation.” He said the maintenance budget is strictly used for repairs and cannot be diverted to other needs.

Ward councillors have informed residents that there is also a shortage of staff in the relevant municipal department.

Selala confirmed that the municipality is in the process of procuring additional fleet vehicles and will consider recruiting more staff once this is complete.

Some residents have raised concern about municipal workers’ apparent lack of effort, with reports of workers lying on sidewalks while only a few people work.

“Roads and stormwater personnel rarely work on Sundays unless under special circumstances,” Selala responded.

“We ensure work is done efficiently during normal hours, and any claims of inefficiency will be investigated, with corrective action taken if necessary.”

Another complaint voiced by residents is the temporary filling of potholes with sand, which is washed away by the first rain or displaced by vehicle traffic.

Selala explained that, in certain cases, potholes extend into the base layer, requiring stabilisation before applying asphalt.

“The stabilisation process uses chemically treated materials to create a firm foundation. The sand used in some potholes is part of the curing and stabilisation process before the final surfacing.”

Selala also addressed concerns about the allocation of funds for municipal meetings. He explained that financial oversight ensures responsible use of municipal funds across all departments.

The municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process, which allows public input on socio-economic strategies and resource allocation, is scheduled for public consultation in April.

Regarding claims that funds are being misused for out-of-town meetings, including a recent strategic planning session at Euphoria Golf Estate costing nearly R600 000, Selala did not provide a direct comment.

However, he did explain that the budget adjustment process reallocates funds based on expenditure trends.

In the latest adjustment, the roads and stormwater budget was below the 50% threshold for additional allocation, and more funds were directed to the electrical department.