Pretoria, South Africa — The City of Tshwane continues to battle a deepening pothole crisis, with Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya attributing delays in road repairs to persistent rainfall. This justification, however, has sparked criticism, especially given the city’s capacity to produce its own asphalt.
New Road Resurfacing Initiative Announced
Speaking during a municipal update at Tshwane House in Pretoria West, Moya launched a new road resurfacing program aimed at tackling the metro’s chronic pothole problem. The initiative targets four of the city’s most affected regions: Soshanguve, Mabopane, Hammanskraal, and Olievenhoutbosch.
“Our teams are out every day working on potholes,” Moya stated. “And as a city, we manufacture our own hot asphalt — so technically, we shouldn’t have an excuse for inaction.”
Yet the mayor insisted that recent wet weather conditions have significantly hindered repair operations. “We keep telling residents that the rains delayed us,” she said. “Now that the weather has improved, we’re resuming full-scale roadwork.”
Progress Amid Challenges
Despite the weather-related setbacks, Moya highlighted progress made since the beginning of the year. She reported that municipal maintenance crews have repaired nearly 3,700 potholes across the metro. Additionally, the city has restored 5,711 streetlights, repaired 231 high-mast lights, and resolved over 4,000 sewer blockages.
However, infrastructure challenges persist — particularly in Centurion, where dolomitic soil conditions have made road maintenance especially difficult. DA Ward 65 Councillor Gert Visser emphasized that Centurion experiences the city’s highest concentration of sinkholes, with new formations emerging regularly due to the unstable geology and adverse weather.
Procurement and Supply Chain Issues Under Fire
Visser criticized the pace of repairs and pointed to procurement inefficiencies and material shortages as major obstacles. “Hot asphalt and bitumen were not always available due to supply chain and operational failures, which is unacceptable,” he said.
The financial burden of long-term repairs is also a major concern. Visser revealed that the city needs an estimated R720 million to rehabilitate between 60 to 70 sinkholes, yet the current allocated budget stands at a mere R14 million.
Public Demands Accountability
As the city pushes forward with its resurfacing initiative, residents remain skeptical, urging officials to match promises with tangible results. With asphalt production in-house and drier weather ahead, the spotlight is now firmly on the municipality to deliver lasting road repairs — rain or shine.
Public frustration continues to mount as drivers navigate increasingly hazardous roads, with some residents expressing concern over vehicle damage and safety risks. Civil society groups have also called for greater transparency in the city’s budgeting and repair schedules, demanding regular updates and measurable outcomes to ensure accountability and restore public trust.
Related article: Tshwane Residents Tackle Pothole Repairs as Frustration Grows Over Government Inaction
