Motorists using Ham Street in Witpoortjie, near a local supermarket, are being forced to slow down or swerve to avoid a large pothole estimated to be 1.2 metres wide and 15cm deep.

The damaged section of road poses a hazard to vehicles, and there are concerns about the safety of motorists using the busy route.

Caxton West Rand intern Zama Sithole investigated the matter and found that delivery trucks frequently use Ham Street to access the supermarket’s receiving bay, which residents believe is placing continuous strain on the road surface and contributing to its deterioration.

The supermarket, Shoprite, opened at the location in late 2021. A small pothole existed at the time, but has since grown significantly.

Sithole approached Shoprite’s management on March 24 and was told that road maintenance falls under the City of Johannesburg’s responsibility. That same day, Sithole also spoke to a delivery truck driver at the site and raised concerns about the impact of heavy vehicles on the road. The driver said alternative infrastructure could help reduce the damage, but added that drivers are simply doing their jobs.

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Resident Francois van der Schyff, whose driveway has also been damaged, said he believes this is because trucks drive over it to access the gate while trying to avoid the pavement and other road fixtures. He said visible cracks have since developed.

“I have sent several emails to Shoprite’s headquarters, but I was told they are not at fault as they are only renting the premises,” he said.

Sithole escalated the matter to Shoprite’s head office on March 31 after the store manager declined to assist and received a similar response. She was referred to the landlord of the premises, who stated that he is aware the issue was reported to the municipality in January 2025 and that he followed up again in June.

The landlord was contacted again on three occasions. On March 30, he indicated he would respond to questions but did not do so. Follow-up attempts on March 31 and April 1 also went unanswered.

In the meantime, Caxton West Rand employees Maverick Gqoba and Heinrich Greyling said the pothole affects their daily commute, with concerns about potential damage to their vehicles. Caxton’s office is situated on the corner of Ham and Generaal Pienaar streets.

Under the City of Johannesburg Public Roads By-law, public roads may not be used in a manner that damages the road surface or creates unsafe conditions for other users. The by-law further prohibits conduct that interferes with the safe and convenient passage of traffic and allows the City to hold parties liable where their actions result in damage within the road reserve. In cases where heavy vehicles repeatedly use a road not designed for their load capacity, leading to significant surface deterioration, this may constitute a contravention of the by-law.

The Roodepoort Record requested comment from Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla, who said JMPD is not aware of concerns raised regarding the deteriorating road surface on Ham Street and the impact of heavy delivery vehicles. While the repair and maintenance of roads fall under the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), JMPD is responsible for enforcing the City’s by-laws, including monitoring the use of residential roads by heavy vehicles.

“Road users are prohibited from causing damage to municipal infrastructure, and if a specific entity is found to be contributing to excessive road deterioration, the City may investigate and engage the responsible parties,” he said.

He further added that JMPD will co-ordinate with JRA to assess the condition of Ham Street and determine whether additional measures, such as signage or traffic calming interventions, are needed.

“The department also plans to increase monitoring in the area and has urged residents to report any by-law violations, emphasising that public safety remains a priority.”

The JRA was contacted for comment on numerous occasions, the last attempt being on April 7, but no response was received at the time of publication.

For now, the pothole remains, leaving Van der Schyff, Gqoba, Greyling and other motorists to navigate the hazardous stretch of road until JMPD intervenes.