Outrage has erupted among Johannesburg residents following Mayor Dada Morero’s announcement that repairing the city’s potholes could cost a staggering R700 million. The revelation has sparked demands for transparency and accountability, with critics questioning how the figure was calculated and whether the funds will be used effectively.
Lack of Transparency Raises Eyebrows
Wayne Duvenage, CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), expressed skepticism about the massive budget, emphasizing the need for clarity on the cost per pothole.
“Civil society groups repair potholes for around R500 to R600 per square meter,” Duvenage said. “We don’t know how many potholes the city is referring to, but R700 million seems excessive without proper breakdowns.”
He warned that without transparency, inflated contractor fees—potentially reaching R2,000 to R3,000 per pothole—could lead to wasteful expenditure.
Decaying Infrastructure a Long-Standing Crisis
Duvenage highlighted that Johannesburg’s road crisis stems from years of neglected maintenance. The city has 14,000 kilometers of road, much of which has deteriorated due to poor upkeep.
“Potholes are just the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “Bridges, road markings, traffic lights, and pavements are in dire condition. The city must prioritize resurfacing roads, or the problem will keep worsening.”
Past Failures Undermine Trust
Residents’ frustration is compounded by the city’s history of mismanagement. Duvenage cited the Lilian Ngoyi Street repairs, a project that remains unfinished two years later, with costs ballooning and contractors changing.
“The city doesn’t allocate enough for maintenance upfront, leading to massive backlogs,” he said. “Now they’re scrambling to fix everything at once, and taxpayers are left questioning where the money goes.”
Calls for Oversight and Accountability
With fears that the R700 million could be misused, Duvenage urged the city to implement real-time tracking of repairs, detailing costs, contractors, and progress.
“If this were a transparent administration, the mayor’s office would publish daily updates on potholes fixed and money spent,” he argued. “Until then, residents have every right to be suspicious.”
What’s Next?
As backlash grows, pressure mounts on Mayor Morero’s administration to:
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Provide a detailed breakdown of the R700 million estimate.
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Ensure competitive, fair tender processes to avoid inflated costs.
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Increase budget allocations for routine maintenance to prevent future crises.
For now, Johannesburg’s beleaguered motorists continue navigating crumbling roads—with little faith that relief is coming soon.
