Region B reveals over 2 500 unresolved potholes

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16-04-2026
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Northcliff Melville Times
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A growing backlog of potholes in Johannesburg’s Region B has sparked concern among residents, with more than half of reported road defects still unresolved. As the city prepares to launch an upgraded reporting app, questions remain over when repairs will actually happen.

A growing backlog of unrepaired potholes in Region B revealed that more than half of reported road defects are still outstanding in the current financial year.

Figures for 2025/26 show that the total received potholes equals 4 355, the total resolved potholes equals 1 824, which means the total unresolved potholes equals 2 531.

The entity is pinning hopes on a revamped digital solution to improve service delivery. An upgraded version of its reporting platform, the Find&Fix app, first introduced in May 2024, is expected to relaunch soon as the FIXIT app.

Read more: Politics of potholes: City calls For partnerships to tackle R26b road backlog

Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) head of regional operations Khaya Gqibitole said the updated platform will allow residents to log road defects more efficiently, through features such as real-time updates, geo-tagged reporting, photo uploads, and progress tracking. It will also enable officials to view all reported faults in one place and identify duplicate reports. Gqibitole believes these improvements will strengthen accountability and community engagement, positioning the app as a key tool in addressing service delivery challenges.

Emmarentia Residents Association (ERA) chairperson Saber Manjoo has criticised what he sees a disconnect between reporting systems and actual repairs, arguing that many potholes have remained unresolved for extended periods. “It is noble that JRA has provided a response about the state of pothole repairs. However, my view is that all they are doing is raising another red herring about their enhanced reporting.”

Manjoo questioned the lack of clarity around repair timelines, pointing to the high number of outstanding cases. “We need to know what the expectation is for unrepaired potholes, as 58% outstanding repairs cannot be accepted. JRA needs to come clean as to the reason why these potholes are not being repaired. Is it funds or capacity?”

He described his own daily experience navigating local roads as evidence of the scale of the problem. “During my morning runs to drop off my grandkids at school and to get to work, I passed over 15 potholes. Traversing Komatie, Louw Geldenhuys, Muirfield, Denbigh, Craighall, and Leighton roads. A total distance of not more than 5km. Some of them are really major, deep potholes with no demarcation or signage.”

He questioned how much longer they must wait for the repairs, adding that, if the agency is unable to address the backlog, authorities should consider allowing communities to step in. “Tell us when we can expect the potholes to be repaired. If you cannot, then give us permission to repair them ourselves.”