The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) asked the Ekurhuleni Metro to repair potholes and secure sinkholes in Boksburg to save lives.
The party conducted a survey in Boksburg and could not find a single street without a pothole. Some of the roads are so riddled with potholes that motorists constantly have to keep swerving to avoid hitting rain-filled potholes.
There are, for example, ten potholes in Louis Botha Street in Beyers Park, three in Ridge Street and seven in Tenth Avenue in Ravenswood.
The party understands that rain further erodes potholes, but the Metro cannot wait until after the rainy season before it starts repairing roads. Decisive action is needed at once.
The increasing number of sinkholes in Boksburg is another cause for concern. Last week, a sinkhole formed in front of a resident’s home in Bigwood Avenue, Cinderella.
It is just a few kilometres from the Rietfontein sinkhole which keeps getting bigger. This sinkhole near homes and several businesses formed around two years ago and the Metro had to close the road. The sinkhole keeps growing as a result of underground sewage and water leakages.
The Metro’s failure to maintain basic water and sewage infrastructure exacerbates the problem.
Although the Metro is facing financial challenges, the problem could be resolved by re-prioritising budgets, using emergency funds and cooperating with the provincial government.
The Freedom Front Plus demands that Ekurhuleni takes action right away to address the problem, and ensure residents and visitors’ safety.
