Latest news with #KhayaGqibitole
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Sinkhole repair on Oxford and Cotswold roads delayed
The Johannesburg Roads Agency's (JRA) sinkhole repair on Oxford and Cotswold roads in Saxonwold continues to be delayed due to hydraulic challenges, after being worked on in February this year. Head of department for regional operations, Khaya Gqibitole, in February, explained to the Gazette that the sinkhole was caused by dislodged double-barrel stormwater pipes. Also read: Repairs underway on Johannesburg City Library's piqué flooring 'The dislodged section of the pipes has resulted in debris accumulation inside the pipes, which led to the blockage of the system and subsequently a sinkhole formation at the corner of Cotswold and Oxford roads.' On July 2, Gqibitole explained to the Gazette that a JRA maintenance team conducted repair work, but there were persistent hydraulic challenges. 'The issue will be escalated to the JRA Infrastructure Planning Department for a redesign.' The JRA promised to respond on July 30 regarding the status and outcome of the escalation. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
When will Johannesburg's M1 be painted?
Johannesburg Roads Agency is responsible for the section of the M1 between Ormonde in the south and Corlett Drive. The M1 highway running through the heart of Johannesburg is earmarked for a fresh lick of paint. Driving along the strip of road has become hazardous, with motorists noting faded road markings, overgrown verges and poor lighting at night. While the latter issues are the responsibility of other municipal entities, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) touched on their plans and challenges in painting the busy road. No set timelines JRA confirmed plans were in place to paint a section of the M1, but could not give set deadlines. 'We do have plans to paint M1 South from Corlett Drive to Shakespeare Avenue. We were waiting for the appointment of the contractor and painting material,' JRA Head of Regional Operations Khaya Gqibitole told The Citizen. JRA's jurisdiction over the M1 stretches from the Shakespeare Avenue bridge in Ormonde to Corlett Drive near Melrose Arch. The M1 is not the sole responsibility of JRA, with the entity explaining that the section from the Buccleuch interchange up until Corlett Drive lies with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT). The provincial body was contacted about their plans for their strip of the M1, but did not respond to multiple email requests. Lane by lane The deluge of cars on one of the busiest stretches of road in Johannesburg was listed as the primary reason road markings have been neglected for years. 'The biggest challenge on the M1 is the volume of traffic, one lane closure during the week can result in a massive traffic backlog, and this applies to both carriageways,' Gqibitole explained. Breaking the project into workable pieces to minimise the inconvenience caused to motorists is JRA's preferred method of approach. 'We are planning to paint some of the sections, like the right lane, on weekends and do the middle and left lanes during the week to avoid prolonging the project,' Gqibitole added. The city's last big spend on the M1 was R210 million on a bridge and stormwater revamp in 2015 and a R169 million rehabilitation of the famous double-decker section completed in 2020. NOW READ: City Power explains why it charges some customers more than others
The South African
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
Repairs to the worst road in Randburg slammed as a 'patch job'
The long-awaited repairs to CR Swart Drive in Boskruin, Randburg have left residents and motorists less than impressed. Instead of a much-needed road resurfacing, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) again opted for a series of pothole fillers. Locals are calling it a band-aid solution to what they believe is a chronic and worsening problem, writes the Randburg Sun . In April, the community paper published a video on its socials showing what a leisurely drive down CS Swart Drive looks like. Sub-titled the 'worst pothole-ridden road in Randburg,' the footage offered a sobering glimpse at this neglected stretch of tarmac. For years, CR Swart Drive has become a nightmare for daily commuters. Deep potholes, flooding, and a crumbling surface has forced drivers to veer dangerously into a single lane, creating major traffic congestion during peak hours. The road's deterioration highlights a broader, ongoing problem in Johannesburg – the steady decline of the city's aging and poorly-maintained infrastructure. Though CR Swart Drive has now been reopened, residents say little has improved. 'JRA needs to find a permanent solution when it comes to fixing the potholes on CR Swart Drive,' said Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau. '[The holes] keep on resurfacing and that takes them back to square one.' The JRA meanwhile has pointed out that pothole repair is prioritised according to the degree and extent of the damage to the street surface. They attributed CR Swart Drive's deterioration to ongoing heavy rains. This has been compounded by a leaking water main that continues to weaken the road. 'We also give priority to major roads and those near public spaces like schools,' added JRA's Head of Department for Regional Operations, Khaya Gqibitole. 'Our team has completed the repairs on CR Swart Drive, and our goal is to continually improve turnaround times and the durability of repairs.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Rain makes life hard at JRA's pothole pains persist
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) continues its daily battle with the city's pothole problem, citing persistent rain and uncontrolled water flows as key barriers to swift repairs. Speaking on the matter, head of department for regional operations Khaya Gqibitole said that pothole inspections and repairs are part of a continuous process, but certain conditions slow down the response rate. Read more: JRA and City Power addressed service delivery woes 'JRA conducts daily inspections across the entire road network it manages. Identified defects, including potholes, are then added to weekly operational schedules at maintenance depots. So, potholes are attended to as and when they appear,' Gqibitole explained. However, the challenge is compounded by external factors, especially weather conditions and infrastructure decay. 'Persistent rainfalls and uncontrolled water – either grey or green – flowing across road surfaces makes it difficult to resolve potholes as quickly as JRA would like. This is because asphalt-related activities can only be done under dry conditions,' he said. Also read: JRAs acting Region B depot managers vision for a better region According to Gqibitole, aging infrastructure across Johannesburg contributes to the recurring pothole problem. 'All JRA roads that require rehabilitation and resurfacing are prone to developing potholes. It's an issue of structural fatigue over time.' While potholes affect roads across the metro, Gqibitole did not single out specific routes, saying the problem is widespread and affects any road with deteriorating surfaces. He also urged drivers to exercise caution, especially during rainy conditions, when potholes are more difficult to see and avoid. 'Reduce speed to minimise damage to your vehicle should you drive into a pothole. Avoid puddles as they may be rainwater-filled potholes. Keep a safe following distance to react to potholes in front of you. Refrain from swerving abruptly as this can lead to losing control of your vehicle. Avoid hard braking as this can destabilise your vehicle,' Gqibitole advised. JRA continues to encourage residents to report potholes using its various available channels, noting that community feedback plays an essential role in speeding up maintenance operations. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: JRA shares tips of driving in the rain At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
