Statement by Matthew Cook
GOOD Johannesburg
24 June 2021
Johannesburg’s so-called Pothole Patrol excitedly launched (in fact, re-launched) by Mayor Geoff Makhubo as part of the PR build-up to his state of the city address, in May, focusses on swanky suburbs while sinkholes cripple townships.
What Makhubo described as a public-private partnership in fact appears to be a vehicle for private sector investors to contribute to maintaining pristine road environments in areas where they live, only.
If the programme is to deliver any benefits to the areas where most Joburgers live, where residents have suffered the effects of potholes, broken roads and sinkholes for decades, such benefits have yet to be revealed.
Less than a week after the Mayor’s address, Klipspruit Valley Road collapsed, forcing the complete closure of the road to all traffic heading towards Soweto from the Johannesburg CBD.
Two traffic lanes and an additional Rea Vaya BRT lane have been closed, with all traffic heading towards Soweto diverted onto the oncoming Rea Vaya lane. Without adequate signage, it’s a confusing and dangerous mess.
Thousands of commuters face the choice of long diversions or taking their chances with the few drivers willing to squeeze into the oncoming traffic.
Six weeks later, and still no sign of Makhubo’s Pothole Patrol…
The mayor of Johannesburg is failing the city and its residents. Instead of wasting money on PR, regurgitating a decade-old initiative called “Jetpatcher” by his predecessor, he could have used the funds to fix Klipspruit Valley Road.
Someone should tell Makhubo that you can’t fix potholes with hot air; you need building materials like concrete and tar – and real political will.
Ends…