Update: Relief for Kew residents as debris finally cleared, but trouble still brewing beneath

More than two weeks after repair work was completed on 10th Road in Kew, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has finally removed the debris left behind, bringing much relief to frustrated residents.

On July 11, deep patching repairs were carried out at the intersection, but piles of gravel, broken asphalt, and tar chunks remained scattered along the roadside, prompting safety concerns and frustration from the community.

Residents described the site as messy and hazardous, with a new pothole appearing shortly after the original work was completed.

Also read: Pothole debris lingers on 10th Road in Kew as new pothole appears

JRA regional operations HOD Khayalethu Gqibitole said the delay in clean-up was due to the scope of the job, which generated more spoil than usual. “The repair involved deep patching of the entire intersection, which created a significant volume of debris. Additional resources, including a truck and a TLB, were needed to remove it.”

While standard procedure requires immediate removal of rubble post-repair, the unusual scale of the project delayed the response. Gqibitole confirmed that clean-up began on July 30, and the spoil has now been cleared.

Despite the clean-up, concerns remain, especially considering the new pothole that formed near the same location, raising further questions about the quality and longevity of the repair work.

“We are aware of the new pothole,” said Gqibitole. “Preliminary indications suggest an underground water leak may be the cause. We will be working with Johannesburg Water to investigate and address the issue before re-patching the road.”

Sandton Chronicle have reached out to Johannesburg Water for comment, and updates will be provided once available.

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