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Unsurfaced roads and crater sized potholes have now become the norm for Gauteng motorists in the province. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has consistently failed to fix potholes and to properly maintain provincial roads.

According to the Department of Roads and Transport's fourth quarterly report for 2022/2023, only 226,986,00m2 of surfaced roads were rehabilitated against the target of 394,084,00m2.
The department claims that the contractor experienced financial constraints and the non-payment of workers resulted in the project being stopped.

This trend is worrying as every year the department fails to meet this target. Keeping the province’s roads in tip-top condition is of utmost importance since goods and services are transported on our roads to other provinces.

It is high time that this department appoints competent contractors who can complete critical infrastructure projects on time and within budget. Contractors leaving the site due to financial constraints and not paying workers is unacceptable.

The DA proposes that the department urgently audit all contractors on their database to determine if they have the capacity and skills needed to complete the tenders they apply for.

We will also be tabling further questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to determine who the service provider is and what action will be taken against the service provider for not completing the job.

Issued by Evert Du Plessis MPL - DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Roads and Transport