Church Street leaks fixed, but road not restored

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04-02-2026
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Randburg Sun
Source

Despite paying high rates and taxes, residents say repeated municipal water repairs degrade Johannesburg North streets, calling for proper restoration and better service delivery from city departments.

Residents in Johannesburg North say poor follow-up work after water leak repairs is leaving their neighbourhood damaged and neglected.

Henry van Zyl, of Rose Street, raised the issue after Johannesburg Water repaired the same water leak in Church Street for the second time. He said the first repair was carried out more than six months ago, and the most recent work was done only recently, but in both instances the excavated areas were not restored once the repairs were completed.

According to Van Zyl, there are at least eight spots along Church Street where similar repair work has been left unfinished.

Van Zyl expressed frustration that residents continue to pay high municipal costs while basic standards are not being met. He said his son pays about R9 000 a month in rates and taxes, yet the surrounding infrastructure is steadily deteriorating. “Fixing the leak is only part of the job. When the road and pavement are left damaged, it affects the whole neighbourhood. This should not be happening.”

He added that the incomplete repairs create safety concerns and contribute to the decline of the area’s appearance.

Residents are now calling on city departments to ensure that once repairs are done, affected areas are properly restored to prevent further decline and frustration among ratepayers.

The Randburg Sun sent questions to Johannesburg Water to ask why restoration work was not completed, and whether this forms part of their standard operating procedures. At the time of going to print, no response had been received.