The Johannesburg Metro has to stop patching potholes and start adhering to proper road repair standards to ensure that road maintenance is carried out effectively.
According to a report by Johannesburg’s Department of Transport, repairing a single pothole costs the Metro between R700 and R1 500. The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is responsible for maintaining an extensive road network spanning 13 599 kilometres, designed to have a lifespan of approximately 25 years.
Between July and December 2025, 23 572 potholes were reported. Although the JRA claims that 20 302 of these have been repaired, motorists across Johannesburg are faced with constantly deteriorating road conditions, with many potholes reappearing within months of being fixed.
The Metro budgeted R149 million for pothole repairs in the 2025/2026 financial year. The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), however, believes that the funds are not used effectively because repair standards are poor and resources are misallocated.
The current method of doing repairs, i.e. simply patching potholes, is not sustainable.
In many cases, it would be much better to properly excavate, compact and resurface larger sections of road.
Quick fixes do not last, as water seepage and continuous vehicle traffic quickly cause damage again.
The Metro’s argument that the budget is insufficient does not hold water, since poor standards are the main reason for repeated expenditure.
The Freedom Front Plus, therefore, proposes two practical solutions:
• The Metro should move away from temporary pothole patching and invest in durable, long-term solutions such as properly reconstructing damaged road sections.
• A significant portion of property rates paid by residents in a ward should be directly reinvested in the maintenance of that ward’s infrastructure.
It is unacceptable that hard-working taxpayers are forced to use deteriorating roads, while their tax monies are used to service and develop other areas.
The ANC-led coalition has to ensure that resources are allocated fairly and transparently so that all communities benefit from the taxes they pay – not just the wards where the ANC can garner political support.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep holding the ANC coalition accountable and remains committed to ensuring that Johannesburg’s residents receive the service delivery they are entitled to.
The party is also a steadfast alternative and opposition determined to oust the ANC in the upcoming municipal elections.
