KZN transport department allocates R216 million for pothole repairs
RATEPAYER associations in eThekwini have welcomed a R216 million allocation for pothole repairs but stressed the need for community engagement and sustainable solutions to ensure road safety.
The allocation of R216 584 440.26 was announced during the KZN Department of Transport's 2025 budget speech on Friday.
In addition, the department launched its 'War on Potholes' campaign in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg.
Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlement in KZN, said the budget would be used towards blacktop patching in the current financial year.
He said in the 2023/2024 financial year the department had procured 55 trucks at a cost of R103 million to tackle the backlog of 3.12 million square meters of potholes.
'We intend to procure a further 25 trucks to reinforce our efforts to eradicate potholes on our network. The department has also appointed more than 100 road worker aides and foremen to be on the frontlines in our fight against potholes. We will also contract service providers to assist in this cause.'
Duma said they had previously tasked the regions with this work.
'It is now being elevated to head office level and will be funded and executed through the rehabilitation and reseal programmes panel of pothole patching service providers.
'We are in the process of appointing a specialist automated road rehabilitation and pothole patching service provider to deliver a speedy means of pothole patching at strategic areas of our province. This exercise will contribute greatly towards the capacitation and development of small contractors and employment of targeted labour,' he said.
The POST recently spoke to various ratepayers, residents and civic associations in eThekwini, who raised their concerns about the compromised safety of motorists and costly damages caused to vehicles due to potholes.
They said residents were forking out tens of thousands of rands for burst tyres, bent rims and suspension damage. In addition, they raised concerns about poor workmanship which resulted in the potholes recurring.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
10 minutes ago
- The Citizen
City fights Cosmo City road damage
City of Johannesburg leaders have pledged to act against road damage and illegal infrastructure in Cosmo City, following an oversight visit last week. Executive Mayor Dada Morero, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) CEO Zweli Nyathi, regional director Mlamleli Belot, and city officials inspected several problem areas in the community. The visit formed part of the city's: War on Potholes campaign, which aims to improve road conditions across Johannesburg, and the team took part in road repairs, pothole patching, resurfacing, painting road markings, and fixing damaged pavements. Read more: JRA finally repairs water channel in Bromhof Nyathi said illegal water connections were one of the main causes of road erosion in Cosmo City. Wastewater from sewers, grey water, and runoff from car washes were worsening the damage. He called for stronger co-operation between city departments, adding that Johannesburg Water must act against illegal water use. 'Car washes need to direct wastewater into proper drainage systems. We must also deal with the vandalism of stop signs and other road infrastructure.' Morero said the behaviour of some residents was adding to the problem. 'The damage we saw today is not only because of infrastructure failure, but also because of community actions. We must enforce by-laws and ensure compliance.' The mayor confirmed plans to deploy the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and by-law enforcement teams to the area. He also noted that overcrowding was putting more strain on the area's infrastructure. 'Illegal structures have been built to house the growing population, many without following building regulations. This is a problem we must address.' The city said it will continue working to restore infrastructure and improve living conditions in Cosmo City while ensuring that by-laws are respected. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Gift of car to mother ends in tragedy
A KwaZulu-Natal teacher and a 16-year-old girl died when the car in which they were travelling veered off a cliff in KwaSwayimane on Saturday. Transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said it was not clear what caused the vehicle driven by Anastasia Shabalala to reverse and fall off a cliff. The girl was identified as Lona Madlala. "Shabalala, a single parent, received the car last year as a gift from her children. Sadly she left us on Women's Day. "The helicopter rescue team worked under very difficult conditions to retrieve their bodies from the wreckage more than 800m down the cliff." Duma said teacher Mbali Msomi alerted traffic ambassador Ayanda Msweli about the incident. "We acted immediately by calling for the helicopter rescue team and reinforcement. "I have mandated my office to arrange social workers to provide professional counseling services to the families."
IOL News
04-08-2025
- IOL News
Tragic multi-vehicle crash on N2 near Gingindlovu leaves one dead and four injured
One of the vehicles that was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on the N2 on Saturday. A tragic multi-vehicle accident on the N2 near Gingindlovu in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday evening left one person dead and four others, including two children, injured. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma confirmed the incident, describing it as a 'horrific accident' involving a Toyota Fortuner, a minibus taxi, and a third, unidentified vehicle which burst into flames. 'We have been contacted by our highly dedicated team from Road Traffic Inspectorate and Road Angels South Africa and tow truck drivers informing us about a horrific accident along the N2, just after Gingindlovu towards Mthunzini,' said Duma. The crash occurred near the Fairbreeze Mine, and emergency personnel from IPSS Medical Rescue were among the first on the scene. 'At least four people, including two children, have sustained injuries ranging from critical to minor after two vehicles collided,' IPSS said in a statement. The injured occupants travelling in a white Toyota Fortuner, a family of four including two children were taken to hospital for treatment, confirmed Duma. According to the department, seven passengers from the minibus taxi were not injured and continued their journey to Durban. The unknown third vehicle was engulfed in flames on impact. Following a forensic investigation, Duma confirmed that the occupant in this vehicle had died. MEC Duma expressed concern over burn-related injuries often sustained in such crashes. 'Victims of road accidents involving cars that burst into flames are likely to suffer severe burn wounds and smoke-inhalation injuries,' he said. Duma said a fatal accident also occurred the same day in Bergville, where five people died. THE MERCURY
