City is not selective in its road maintenance projects

26 July 2023

The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility’s Roads Infrastructure Management Department would like to address allegations that the City ignores requests to repair dilapidated roads in certain parts of Cape Town and would like to set the record straight with regards to work that is done and why certain roads regress faster than others, particularly during the winter season. Furthermore, extortion and other criminal activities such as hijackings and armed robberies in some areas also affect the speedy rehabilitation of roads.

'The deterioration of roads and formation of potholes during winter is a common occurrence as it is directly related to heavy rainfall. When it rains and the water accumulates on the road, vehicle tyres squeeze the water in to the road pavement layer. The repeated pump action between the road surface and the tyres of the vehicles causes the road to crack and thus potholes are formed,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The City is aware of the current road conditions following this year's heavy downpours and plans are in place to resurface affected roads within the current or next financial year, subject to drainage issues being resolved. 

In some parts of the City, matters are exacerbated by ongoing external factors such as illegally discharged grey water from washing machine outlets being decanted on to the road, water stand pipes next to the road being left open and running water spilling onto the road. Illegal dumping within stormwater and sewer infrastructure also leads to overspills and blockages.

'We are aware of social media posts and comments from various community leaders that criticise the City's responsiveness in some areas. The most recent complaint centred around the current state of Oliver Tambo Drive in Samora Machel. It must be noted that Oliver Tambo Drive was resurfaced twice within the past three years; in June 2021 and again in May 2022. The cause of Oliver Tambo Drive's deterioration can be attributed to heavy rainfall, open stand pipes left running, vandalism of infrastructure, illegal car wash establishments, illegal water and sewer connections.

'There have also been complaints about Japtha K Masemola Road in Makhaza. The main contributing factor to Japtha K Masemola Road deterioration is the illegal occupation of the wetland. Structures have been built over critical stormwater infrastructure which prevents stormwater from draining, which then floods the road thus affecting the road surface. We are currently engaging with the Human Settlements Department to look at possible relocation of such structures in order to ensure alternative drainage options are available. This also requires intervention from Environmental Management seeing that this is a wetland, before any permanent resurfacing works can be scheduled,' added Councillor Quintas.

In the interim, the City will continue infilling potholes with 'coldmix' under the current wet winter conditions to ensure the road surface is drivable. Permanent repairs will not be effectively achieved when a road or the base layers underneath the road are still wet. Permanent repairs entail cutting the existing road surface around the pothole, preparing the base course, applying tack coat to the prepared base course and finally placing the hot premix, which is done after the annual rainfall period.

'The City urges residents to please refrain from throwing dishwater onto the roads and dumping solid waste items illegally. Soap, effluent and fats eat through the asphalt. If we do not stop illegal dumping into the system, we cannot guarantee that sewer spills will ever stop or even occur less frequently. We further plead with residents to not illegally occupy canals or retention ponds, or build over our stormwater infrastructure,' concluded Councillor Quintas.

Residents can report potholes to the Transport Information Centre (toll-free 24/7) on 0800 65 64 63 or email transport.info@capetown.gov.za.

Captions:

1. Oliver Tambo Drive in Samora Machel after resurfacing work done on 20 May 2022
2. The current state of Oliver Tambo Drive in Samora Machel in July 2023

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office