Residents plug potholes with soil as 10th Road in Kew deterioration returns
Barely four months after roadworks were completed, motorists on 4th Avenue in Kew are again navigating worsening potholes, prompting residents to take temporary measures while they await further repairs from Johannesburg Roads Agency.
Four months after Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) rehabilitated sections of 10th Road, and the intersection of 4th Avenue and 10th Road in Kew, road users are once again contending with deteriorating surfaces nearby.
In recent weeks, a series of potholes have developed along 4th Avenue, some close to the intersection, forcing residents to fill the craters with soil in an attempt to reduce the risk to motorists while waiting for official repairs.
Read more: Fresh potholes form not even a metre away from rehabilitated section in Kew
Loose gravel, eroded asphalt, and water pooling after rainfall have further highlighted the poor condition of the road.
Speaking with the publication during the December holidays, daily commuter Siyabonga Lubisi, who uses the route every day to work, said the situation has become increasingly unsafe. “I drive this road every day, and it keeps getting worse. You have to slow down suddenly or swerve to avoid the potholes, which is risky, especially during peak traffic. With the festive season bringing more cars onto the road, accidents are waiting to happen if this isn’t fixed soon.”
Lubisi also questioned the longevity of recent repairs in the broader area. “It feels like temporary patchwork instead of proper repairs. Four months later, we’re back to square one. Some of these potholes are deep enough to damage tyres or suspension.”
Ward 81 councillor Joanne Horwitz said residents are angry about road repairs that fail within weeks because of substandard materials and shoddy work. “At the same time, we’re told the entire roads maintenance budget has been spent on G20 projects, leaving no funding for basic repairs until July 2026.
“That means dangerous, deteriorating roads for ordinary communities, while residents continue paying rates and levies. Infrastructure spending should deliver durable roads and equal service across the city, not short-term priorities or vanity projects that leave most residents behind.”
Also read: Potholes on Kew’s 9th Road finally fixed
Responding to concerns, JRA regional operations manager Khayalethu Gqibitole said the July works at the corner of 4th Avenue and 10th Road were carried out to the required standards and remain intact. “The intersection was rehabilitated. The area was cut out and compacted in accordance with applicable standards, and a standard medium-graded hot mix asphalt was laid and compacted according to specifications. Based on inspections conducted, the rehabilitated section is still in good condition, with no potholes.”
Gqibitole explained that the potholes troubling motorists are outside the rehabilitated area. “The potholes referenced are located on 4th Avenue, between 10th Road and 11th Road, with additional potholes also developing along 10th Road. These are newly formed potholes that developed during recent heavy rains and thunderstorms.”
According to JRA, the affected road sections have reached the end of their design life, making them more susceptible to damage during periods of heavy rainfall. “There are no drainage issues at this location. The road has reached its lifespan, and major rehabilitation is required. As a result, potholes tend to develop during heavy rains, but JRA ensures they are addressed to maintain road safety.”
He confirmed that the July repairs met durability and workmanship standards, noting that the newly formed potholes fall outside the repaired intersection. The agency has already assessed the affected sections, with repairs scheduled for the fourth week of January, once most teams return from December leave.
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