By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The angry residents have been showing frustration at a lack of service delivery by tagging the African National Congress (ANC) when they spray-paint bright colours around potholes to alert drivers to the danger.
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has condemned the defacing and branding of the City’s roads by unauthorised personnel and organisations.
Acting CEO, Louis Nel says anyone who contravenes the city’s by-laws may be penalised for tempering with municipal infrastructure.
“Clause 10 of the said By-laws states that, If a person referred to in this section fails to remove the matter, paint, article or substance, the Council may remove such item and in addition to any penalty which may be imposed in terms of this By-law, recover the cost of removal from that person, “he says.
Nel says as the agency they have a programme to deal with potholes.
“The JRA understands that residents and road users are frustrated with driving on roads riddled by potholes, but the City’s by-laws do not authorise any person or organisation to engage in the unlawful act of repairing potholes or branding any of the City’s roads without the knowledge and approval of the City.”
“Only authorised personnel or organisations can repair and paint the roads. We would like to urge organisations and the public to refrain from this act as it is against the law of the City of Johannesburg.”
The City (JRA) is doing the best that it can to keep the City’s roads in great condition. It should be noted that the City (JRA) carries out the maintenance of roads while being confronted by external forces such as the vandalism and theft of roads infrastructure like traffic lights for copper cables, natural forces like heavy rainfalls and budgetary constraints” Nel said.
Nel added that, since it started work on fixing the rainy season’s extensive flood damage, a total of 5,425.50 potholes have been fixed.
The condition of the country’s roads had deteriorated to such an extent that, two years ago, leading insurance companies Dialdirect Insurance and Discovery Insure partnered with the Joburg Road Agency (JRA) in the Pothole Patrol. From then until March 2023, the Pothole Patrol filled 150,000 potholes in Johannesburg, it was announced.
The private sector has also been leaving its mark on roads – declaring in paint on the tarmac that repairs were made by a specific insurer, making it clear that the improvements are not courtesy of the government or local municipalities.
Former transport minister Fikile Mbalula announced ambitious plans to eradicate potholes across the country when he launched Operation Vala Zonke. Sanral was appointed as the implementing agency and an app was launched for people to report potholes.
Although the intention of road marking is to put pressure on municipalities to fix eroded surfaces – and point a finger of blame at the ANC – strictly speaking, it is illegal.