JRA refuses help from RAs

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26-09-2024
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Roodepoort Record
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The Johannesburg Roads Agency insists that RAs are not to fix potholes.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) remains adamant that any interference on road infrastructure, regardless of the nature of such interference, is a criminal offence.

This comes in answer to questions repeatedly posed by residents associations about JRA’s refusal to let community organisations aid in repairing potholes within their areas of operation.

Roads throughout Roodepoort are notoriously bad, and the JRA seems unable to stay ahead with minor repairs of potholes, that end up making for unsafe driving conditions.

According to Florida South Residents Association (FSRA) chairperson Rodney Churchill, the FSRA has on numerous occasions approached JRA for permission to lend a helping hand by repairing minor road damage.

“The answer is always the same,” says Churchyard. “If you touch the roads, you will be prosecuted.

“What are we to do if it is obvious that JRA simply cannot effectively maintain roads? We cannot sit back and leave it. It is the residents that are once again pulling on the short straw.”

Churchyard emphasises that FSRA and other residents associations are more than willing to ensure any work is conducted to the minimum standard as dictated by the entity.

“Unfortunately, there is no process in place for us to comply with. The entity insists that only approved contractors may conduct such work. They say that the Discovery Pothole Patrol does such repairs through a service level agreement (SLA). Why can’t we as RAs enter into such a SLA with JRA?

“At the very least, the roads will be safer for the residents that make use of them. Not to mention how much money it would save the entity.”

Official figures from JRA show that in 2021, 2022, and 2023, the City of Johannesburg has paid out almost R300m in claims. The entity emphasises that this figure is for all road infrastructure-related claims and not just for potholes.

“The subscription/ premium payable is not specific to JRA but it is for the City in totality for the liability across the City. It will be safe to confirm that we are insured for damage to our infrastructure and the Public Liability where we are at fault,” reads a statement released by the entity.

Light at the end of the tunnel?

According to the deputy director of communications for the City of Johannesburg, Nthatisi Modingoane, residents associations and other stakeholders will shortly be able to partner with the City of Johannesburg to assist with backlogs through the co-production model.

“This model was announced by former Executive Mayor Parks Tau to the council in his 2015/ 16 State of the City Address. At the time this model would form part of the Jozi@Work Initiation.

“The City is exploring ways of reintroducing this initiative and will communicate a detailed plan in due course. The initiative is designed to explore innovative ideas geared towards improving service delivery in Joburg in line with the city’s drive to partner with communities in the delivery of municipal services.”