Illovo residents are calling on Johannesburg Water to urgently address a damaged section of Oxford Road, opposite Illovo Junction, which has remained unrepaired since October 2025.

The excavation site, believed to have been opened for water-related repairs, is still partially exposed, with visible underground infrastructure remaining uncovered, and only temporary barriers marking off the area.

Read more: JRA starts work on Illovo sinkhole

Residents said the prolonged delay had created both safety risks and reputational damage to the neighbourhood.

Nolwazi Ndaba, a resident, said the situation had remained unchanged for months.

“It has been like this since last year. Nothing is happening. It is dangerous for cars and for people walking past. It also doesn’t look good for our properties.”

Also read: Dangerous sinkhole opens on Chaplin Street in Illovo

Ndaba added that frustration was growing among community members, particularly due to the lack of communication regarding when repairs would be completed.

Motorists travelling along Oxford Road are forced to navigate around the damaged section, while pedestrians must contend with uneven surfaces and exposed ground.

Residents argued that the longer the site remained unattended, the greater the risk of accidents.

Questions were sent to Johannesburg Water regarding the delay, the timeline for repairs, and interim safety measures.

However, the entity’s spokesperson, Nombuso Shabalala, is currently on leave, and by the time of publication, no response had been received.

The publication will provide updates once Johannesburg Water responds.

Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!