A misplaced good deed in Bryanston
JRA explains why communities cannot just do it for themselves.
The unemployment situation in South Africa is such a grave problem that job seekers in Sandton are innovating ways to be noticed by potential employers as hard workers. This was the main reason why Motloung Lucky Foka took it upon himself to fill what he believed to be a pothole along the River Road in Bryanston on February 11.
“I saw it’s not fine here so I took it upon myself to just look out for the community and help,” Foka explained of himself. “If you have a job, I am looking.”
In hoping that this good deed goes unpunished, the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) was contacted on February 12, to comment on Foka’s initiative.
Acting JRA regional operation head of department Langeriwa Mthombeni responded on February 14, explaining why only authorised or people with a permit or a license are allowed to work on the road reserves.
“While we appreciate Motloung Lucky Foka’s efforts in giving a helping hand, Chapter four and five of the Code of Practice for work on road reserve, in short, states that no person may work on the road reserve without the prior written permission of the council. Meaning, it must an authorised person,” Mthombeni said.
“We urge community members to refrain from taking matters into their own hands. Residents are encouraged to become active citizens by reporting any road defects to the City of Joburg or JRA through the channels attached.”
Chapter 4 works on, across or under any public road – Page 19: Excavations in public roads 29.
- No person may make or cause to be made any hole, trench, pit or tunnel on or under any road reserve or remove any soil, metal or macadam from the road reserve without the prior written permission of the council and on payment of the prescribed fee, unless that person is authorised to do so in terms of any other law.
- Prior to performing any work in the road reserve, the entity referred to in the previous point must, once written permission has been obtained, follow the procedures contained in the Code of Practice.
Chapter 5 installation of electronic communications facilities – Page 21: Works on or under public roads and other municipal land 33.
No licensee may perform work in the road reserve including:
- Entering upon and breaking or opening up any public road to –
- instal, construct, maintain, alter or remove any electronic communications facilities or pipes, tunnels, trenches or tubes required for electronic communications facilities or electronic communication networks, under the road reserve;
- alter the position of any pipe for the supply of water, gas or electricity, other than a sewer drain or main, for the purpose of installing, constructing, maintaining, altering or removing any electronic communications facilities or pipes, tunnels, trenches or tubes required for electronic communications facilities or ECNs, under the road reserve;
- Entering upon any public road to instal, construct, maintain, alter or remove any electronic communications facilities or pipes, tunnels, trenches or tubes required for electronic communications facilities or ECNs upon, over, along or across the road reserve; without first giving notice to the council, in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws, of the works to be performed.
Related Article: Bryanston community members keep fit by the river
