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Fix a pothole in Johannesburg without approval and you could be arrested
Johannesburg drivers know the feeling. You dodge one pothole only to hit another. After heavy summer rains, it can feel like the city’s roads are fighting back.
Frustrated residents and businesses have started stepping in, filling holes outside their homes, offices, and shops in an effort to protect their tyres and suspensions. Some have even taken to social media to show off their quick fixes, often praising “active citizenship” while calling out the city’s backlog.
But the message from the Johannesburg Roads Agency is clear: good intentions are not enough. Fix a pothole without approval, and you could face fines, have your equipment confiscated, or even be arrested by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.
Why the JRA is drawing a line
The JRA says it welcomes private sector support. Programmes such as the Traffic Signal Backup Power initiative and the Discovery Avis Pothole Patrol partnership are already working with the city to maintain and repair infrastructure.
However, according to JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi, road repairs are not as simple as tipping in sand and calling it a day. He has stressed that any work done without written approval and a valid wayleave is a breach of the city’s Code of Practice and bylaws.
There is more at stake than just paperwork. Poor quality repairs can turn dangerous very quickly. Loose sand, bricks, or rubble can scatter across the road surface, damaging windscreens and putting cyclists and motorists at risk. Substandard materials also allow water to seep into the base layer of the road. Over time, that weakens the structure and can lead to cracking or complete failure. In the long run, that drives up repair costs even further.
There is also the hidden risk beneath our feet. Johannesburg’s roads conceal gas lines, fibre optic cables, water pipes, and electrical infrastructure. Digging or patching without proper assessment could damage essential services and create serious safety hazards.
A familiar warning
This is not the first time the agency has had to step in. Back in April 2023, then-acting CEO Louis Nel reminded residents that repairing potholes themselves breaks municipal bylaws. While he acknowledged the willingness of communities to help, he pointed out that the JRA follows strict technical standards to ensure repairs last.
At the time, the agency also indicated it was exploring ways to involve small and medium-sized enterprises in formal pothole repair projects across the metro. In other words, there is space for partnership, but it has to follow due process.
The rain factor
The recent heavy summer rains across parts of Johannesburg have made matters worse. Water seeps into existing cracks, weakens the surface, and once traffic rolls over the softened areas, potholes quickly expand. It is a cycle many Joburg motorists have come to know too well.
That context explains the surge in community-driven repairs. People are tired of paying for wheel alignments and new tyres. Still, the city insists that unapproved fixes may create bigger problems than they solve.
So how can you help?
The JRA is urging residents and companies who want to assist to apply for a wayleave through its official website or partner directly with the agency. Reporting defects through formal channels remains the recommended route. According to Nyathi, this ensures professional teams can respond in line with safety and engineering standards.
It may not be the instant solution some drivers are hoping for, but the agency maintains that coordinated, compliant repairs are the only way to build safer and longer-lasting roads.
For now, Joburg motorists will continue navigating the bumps and craters that dot the city. Just remember, while you might be tempted to grab a shovel and a bag of cement, doing so without approval could cost you more than a damaged tyre.
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Source: MyBroadband
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