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Joburg’s R700 Million Pothole Problem: Mayor Puts Price Tag on Repairs

Published

2 months ago

July 11, 2025

Chiraag

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The war on potholes begins in the north, but can Joburg afford to fix the rest?

It’s no secret that Johannesburg’s roads have taken a serious beating over the years. Whether you’re dodging potholes on your daily commute or carefully steering through cratered lanes after heavy rains, navigating the city’s streets has become a frustrating, everyday challenge.

Now, Mayor Dada Morero has revealed just how much it will cost to finally patch things up. Speaking in Hyde Park on Thursday during the launch of the city’s War on Potholes campaign, Morero estimated that repairing every pothole across Johannesburg will require a staggering R700 million.

Starting with the North

If that number gave you whiplash, you’re not alone. But there is a clear plan in place.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has already begun high-impact repairs in the northern suburbs, focusing on Region B and Region E, including Hyde Park, Parkhurst, Rosebank, Sandton, and surrounding wards.

The mayor highlighted Ward 90 as the first priority, where road crews have kicked off work. The goal: fill every pothole in that ward by mid- to end-August 2025. Once completed, repair teams will move on to adjacent wards.

“Our commitment is that at least in Ward 90, where we are now, by mid-August or end-August, we should have done all the potholes,” Morero said.

More Than Just a Nuisance

While some potholes might seem like minor irritations, they’ve become a full-blown crisis in many parts of the city. Beyond damaging vehicles and posing safety hazards, potholes have been linked to delayed emergency services, increased insurance claims, and disruptions to public transport.

Residents have long vented their frustrations on social media, with hashtags like #PotholeCity and #FixJoburgRoads trending after every major rainfall. Though memes offer comic relief, the underlying issue is costing people real money and testing their patience.

Can the City Actually Afford R700 Million?

The price tag is high, especially amid other pressing infrastructure challenges such as water pipe leaks, power outages, and informal settlement upgrades. But Mayor Morero insists this is a long-term investment.

“If we leave roads damaged, they only deteriorate further and become more expensive to fix later,” he explained.

There have been calls for the private sector to step in through public–private partnerships, similar to previous initiatives where residents and companies adopted stretches of road.

Meanwhile, many are watching closely to see if the commitment to Regions B and E will be met on time or become another missed municipal deadline.

What You Can Expect Next

The war has officially started, but this is just the beginning. If you don’t live in the northern suburbs, your roads might be next, though no official timeline has been confirmed yet.

The city says it’s taking a phased approach, with repair teams moving region by region once the priority zones are completed.

For now, Ward 90 is the main battleground, and Joburg residents across the metro will be watching closely to see if the promises of a smoother ride actually materialise.