Palmiet Avenue has become a nightmare for residents, with the entire street riddled with potholes. On Thursday, September 4, a Roodepoort Northsider journalist joined RiverWel Residents Association members Neville Burnett and Kevin Thompson to see first-hand what frustrates locals.

Some holes are so deep that motorists are forced to swerve into the opposite lane or crawl at a snail’s pace to avoid damage. Neville said the road has been like this for a long time. Residents have lodged complaints with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), but the problem persists.

“We can’t log new calls now because we don’t get reference numbers whenever we log calls,” Neville said, adding that an urban inspector has admitted she is aware of the issue as she regularly drives the road.

The dangers are worse in rainy weather, when water fills the potholes, concealing their depth. Unfamiliar motorists could easily hit a pothole at speed, risking serious damage or even accidents.

The JRA was asked whether repairs are planned for Palmiet Avenue. Despite reminders and a deadline, no official comment had been received at the time of publication. The matter has reportedly been escalated and feedback promised.

For residents and motorists, the silence adds to their frustration. Complaints flood local WhatsApp groups, with demands for answers and urgent action. Over the weekend, some potholes were reportedly filled, though it remains unclear who carried out the work. Updates will follow once confirmed.