After months of mounting frustration over the crumbling Christiaan de Wet Road, motorists may finally be seeing movement as the Gauteng provincial government has approved funding for long-delayed repairs.

According to Ward 89 councillor Zander Shawe, the funding approval was communicated directly to him by the deputy director of Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (Crum), Lawrence Maseko, during a meeting on November 24.

“Although funding was approved, the hold-up now is appointing a contractor to do the job,” Shawe confirmed. “We’re just waiting for them to sort out the government red tape. Meanwhile, residents are still waiting for the road to get fixed before it washes away.”

• Also read: No fix in sight for Christiaan de Wet Road

Large sections of Christiaan de Wet Road have continued to deteriorate, with concrete barriers – once a temporary safety measure – now cracked, displaced or missing entirely. Deepening potholes and non-functional streetlights along the stretch between Wilhelmina Avenue and Wilgerood Road have added to motorists’ safety concerns.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has previously confirmed that the road falls under provincial jurisdiction. However, when the Roodepoort Northsider escalated the matter to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, no response was received.

This development follows earlier reports dating back to April, when the Northsider highlighted the worsening condition of the road, unsafe barrier placement, and the ongoing lack of action despite efforts by Shawe and Ward 85 councillor Zoné Hughes. More than six months after the barriers were installed, the road remains partially closed.

• Also read: Six months later, still no action on Christiaan de Wet

While the approval of funding marks progress, uncertainty remains. Without a contractor appointed, there is still no timeline for when repairs will begin. The Northsider will publish a follow-up article once feedback is received.