Community and businesses unite to tackle Albertina Sisulu Road flooding

Businesses along Albertina Sisulu Road joined hands with community members to tackle the persistently flooded road that has plagued the community for far too long.

According to Jonathan Strydom, supervisor at Plumbers Market, the road’s situation is deteriorating daily.

“Our business is heavily affected by this road, which could at some point lead to us closing down. Hence, we are trying to do something for ourselves,” he said.

Also read: Motorists and residents suffer on always flooding Albertina Sisulu Road

Strydom said the plan is to create a stream to redirect water away from the road and clean the area. Community members were also vocal about the daily struggles they face due to the flooded road.

“Ambulances, police, e-hailing cabs and food services, and scholar transports don’t use this road anymore, and every day, we have to cross or go around to the other side,” said Fearless Shiya, who even had to carry his pregnant wife across the road to reach an ambulance recently.

The Roodepoort Record has reported on this road on several occasions, with the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) revealing that the informal settlement encroaches on and is built over the city’s road and stormwater infrastructure.

Also read: JRA responds to Albertina Sisulu Road

Therefore, when it rains, the water cannot flow into the existing stormwater system, resulting in ponding or flooding along Albertina Sisulu Road. JRA and the Department of Human Settlements would have to be involved in order for them to access their pipe.

Community leader Ernest Lehihi confirmed that a site visit was conducted a few years ago, and houses were landmarked for relocation. However, no progress has been made since then.

The Record reached out to the Department of Human Settlements for an update on plans, and a detailed response will be published once answers are received.