Six months later, still no action on Christiaan de Wet
Barriers initially installed to protect motorists from a suspected sinkhole now symbolise ongoing government inaction and infrastructure decay.
Barriers, potholes and darkness continue to plague Christiaan de Wet Road, where a partially closed lane between Wilhelmina Avenue and Wilgerood Road has remained untouched for six months.
Despite growing frustration from motorists and repeated appeals for intervention, the road’s condition has steadily worsened – with barriers now broken, shifted or missing, and streetlights standing dark along this busy route.
According to Ward 89 Clr Zander Shawe and Ward 85 Clr Zoné Hughes, the situation has been left unattended since April after the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) reported a suspected sinkhole in the left lane.
A petition launched by both councillors aims to save the provincial road from total collapse, also pointing to previous infrastructure failures such as Kilburn Bridge and Hendrik Potgieter Road as warnings of what could happen next.
• Also read: Christian de Wet Road temporarily closed from tomorrow
“Residents and road users say the barriers are not only unsightly but have become a danger in themselves. Some are cracked and have shifted out of place, while others are missing entirely, leaving long stretches of the road vulnerable. In the evenings, the risk multiplies. Many of the streetlights along this busy route no longer work or have been knocked over, plunging the road into darkness.
“Drivers are left to navigate a dangerous mix of poor visibility, potholes, and unmarked barriers, often swerving at the last moment to avoid damage to their vehicles or worse,” Shawe explains.
The petition calls for urgent repairs, maintenance, and safety interventions. Letters have been written, photos have been shared online, and appeals have been made to city departments. Still, the barriers remain tilted, cracked, and scattered – while the road continues to erode.
“The people who use Christiaan de Wet Road deserve better. Infrastructure doesn’t deteriorate overnight, and it certainly doesn’t fix itself. What is required now is a clear and coordinated response. JRA needs to urgently assess the road, execute plans for repair, and have honest communication with the public. Temporary fixes can help ease immediate danger, but long-term solutions must follow,” Shawe adds.
A follow-up article will be published once JRA responds to questions submitted by the Roodepoort Northsider.
