MMC for transport leads blitz in Sandton’s wards 91 and 103 to repair roads

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12-12-2025
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Sandton Chronicle
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City of Johannesburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene, joined by regional director Makgafela Thaba, Johannesburg Road Agency officials, and local ward councillors, activated the latest phase of operation restore in Sandton this morning, targeting long-standing potholes, reinstatements, and storm water challenges on key roads in Region E.

City of Johannesburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene led a high-impact operation restore activation in Ward 91 early this morning.

This was before teams moved into Ward 103 as part of an intensified drive to tackle road degradation and failing storm water infrastructure across Sandton.

Accompanied by regional director Makgafela Thaba, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) teams, and ward councillors, Kunene oversaw pothole patching, deep patching, reinstatements, and storm water inlet clearing along major routes, such as Katherine Street, with additional work scheduled for Linden, Gary Drive, and other affected areas.

Kunene said Sandton’s biggest challenge remains the rapid emergence of potholes, especially during the rainy season. “Our road infrastructure is old. Some sections are over 40 to 60 years. The lifespan of a road is about 25 years, so what we’re dealing with now are aging structures that cannot withstand abnormal rains.”

He explained that underground water, mining activity (Zama zamas), old storm water systems, and even household practices, such as laundry or swimming pool water draining onto the road, all contributed to road deterioration.

Operation restore, launched in 2023, was designed to accelerate service delivery by pooling teams and specialists from multiple regions to focus on identified hotspots. “This programme has been very successful. We rotate across wards based on inspections, community reports, and councillor inputs. We prioritise economic routes, but operation restore allows us to maximise impact where challenges are severe.”

Kunene acknowledged that some potholes recur because the underlying road layer is compromised. Without sufficient budget for complete road reconstruction, teams must apply operational fixes repeatedly.

“Potholes are often a symptom of bigger underground defects. Some areas have water pushing up from below. With new technology and more budget, we can use materials that withstand water. We are also engaging National Treasury for additional funding.”

Ward 91 councillor Andrew Stewart welcomed the operation, but emphasised the long-standing backlog caused by the city’s limited finances.

“As much as I appreciate the extra attention, there is no chance of City of Johannesburg’s capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects during these blitzes. The resurfacing backlog includes Adrienne Street, which has been on the IDP list for over 12 years.”

Stewart said operational issues, such as potholes, reinstatements handed over to JRA by Johannesburg Water, and blocked storm water inlets, remain widespread. “Even operational service delivery is hampered by a lack of funding. Regular cleaning of storm water inlets is a city-wide issue.”

In Ward 103, where JRA teams continued the blitz, councillor Lynda Shackelford highlighted the severity of potholes and storm water failures. “It’s the rainy season, so potholes lift within days. A crater can form in two to three days. Today’s blitz on West Street South and Kopje Road, where we have five craters, is urgently needed.”

She expressed concern about major storm water failures. “I have three massive storm water collapses needing large CAPEX projects. These require environmental approvals and IDP timing.”

Despite these challenges, Shackelford said her depot has been responsive in emergencies, and she is hopeful that JRA’s asphalt plant remains open throughout the festive season.

She also appealed for equitable treatment across all wards. “Suburban wards are often forgotten. We all have the same problems: Potholes, storm water damage, aging roads. It shouldn’t be a comparison or a political season exercise. The work must get done.”

Kunene reiterated that operation restore will continue into 2026, with a clear focus on upgrading Johannesburg’s deteriorating road network.

“We are restoring the infrastructure of Johannesburg. With more budget and new material technologies, we can deliver longer-lasting solutions. We ask communities to be patient. This rainy season is challenging, but we have a strategy and we are implementing it.”