Distraught Gallo Manor residents endure ongoing road disruptions
Despite progress from Johannesburg Roads Agency, frustrated residents demand faster action to resolve ongoing safety and financial challenges caused by a damaged calvert.
The Gallo Manor community is struggling with the continued disruption caused by a damaged calvert, which has been left in disrepair for more than six years.
Despite initial promises of repairs by February 2024, the project has faced repeated delays and missed deadlines, frustrating residents, who now face significant safety risks, increased costs, and prolonged inconveniences.
Read more: Concerns raised over delays in reopening Gallo Manor culvert
The calvert, which first became damaged in 2019, has divided the community, with road closures and limited access to parts of the neighbourhood affecting daily life.
According to Karl Hassler, a resident of Gallo Manor, the City of Johannesburg had contracted the Tefla Group to carry out the repairs, but after missing two deadlines, one in July 2023 and another in February 2024, the company was removed from the site due to failure to meet contractual obligations.
“The project has now gone back to tender, with Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) announcing that a new contractor is expected to be appointed by March 2025.”
He added that it has been over 18 months, and they are no closer to a solution. “The road closure and damaged calvert have created serious problems for us. We’re paying higher security fees, and it is dangerous to navigate the area. The city is promising action, but we are still waiting.”
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Hassler elaborated that the community’s reliance on additional security resources, such as ADT, has added to the financial burden, while concerns about environmental impacts, including damage to local waterways, remain unresolved.
In response to the delays, Kwazi Mcetywa, head of infrastructure development (ID) at JRA, explained that significant steps had already been taken to address the situation. “We are pleased to report that JRA has appointed a contractor, and an inception meeting was held with the contractor in the last week of February. The stakeholder engagement process has begun, with the regional director’s office actively involved.”
When asked about the prolonged timeline for appointing a contractor, Mcetywa clarified that the procurement process had been delayed due to budget constraints in previous years, which had led to prioritising other repairs. “There were budget constraints in the past, and we had to prioritise bridge repairs in line with available funding. However, with adequate budget now in place, we are confident that the project will be completed.”
Hassler and other residents remain concerned about the long-term effects of the delay on their safety and finances. “The community is paying the price for these ongoing delays, and while we appreciate the appointment of a contractor, we need to see real progress.”
In terms of addressing health and safety risks, Mcetywa assured residents that temporary measures had been taken to block access to the culvert while the procurement process was underway.
“The new contractor will take over responsibility for ensuring the site is safe,” Mcetywa stated. Additionally, there will be a chief liaison officer and a social facilitator appointed to keep the community informed, with regular updates provided through the ward councillor and monthly Capex Forum meetings.
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