Businesses along 5th Street in Wynberg said they are growing increasingly frustrated as a large hole caused by a burst pipe remains unrepaired months after the damage first occurred.

Ward 91 councillor Andrew Stewart visited the site outside number 72 5th Street on March 5, where the road has been severely damaged since October last year.

According to Stewart, the repair requires intervention from Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), but four months later, the problem remains unresolved.

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“We are back here again on site in Wynberg with yet another catastrophe. This is a huge pipe burst, and it requires JRA involvement, but we are sitting four months down the line, and we have yet to see them arrive on site.”

Stewart added that the situation mirrors a previous incident on the same street where a large hole remained unrepaired for nearly nine months, severely affecting nearby businesses.

“That previous saga had a huge impact on businesses in the area. Some reported losing up to 40% of their revenue while the road remained damaged,” he said.

Local businesses said the ongoing delay is once again affecting operations.

Operations manager at Eurolux Johannesburg, Neels Smit, said the damaged road has effectively blocked the company’s main entrance.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Andrew Stewart and Neels Smit speak about the unrepaired site and the problems it has brought to businesses on March 5, 2026. Video: Duduzile Khumalo #JRA #Sandton #Roads ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

“This is the main entrance to our facility and our showroom. “We have had to redirect customers to our back entrance.”

However, the alternative access point is primarily designed for trucks, creating additional safety risks.

“That entrance is used by delivery trucks throughout the day. Now we have customers in smaller vehicles entering the same space while trucks are loading. It creates congestion and safety concerns.”

Smit added that the complicated route to the back entrance has also confused visitors.

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“Even though it’s not far, the route is quite complicated. Customers sometimes get lost trying to find the entrance. People get frustrated, and some simply give up.”

He said the financial impact of the situation is difficult to measure but noticeable.

“It’s a hidden impact that we cannot really quantify, but it is affecting business.”

Businesses are now calling for urgent intervention from the city.

“We are paying rates and asking for assistance. What we thought would take a few weeks to fix has now turned into a four-month situation, which is simply unacceptable,” Smit said.

Stewart echoed the concern, saying delays in infrastructure repairs often have real economic consequences.

“When the city drags its heels on problems like this, businesses suffer. There needs to be a greater understanding of the impact these delays have on the local economy,” Stewart said.

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