Latest news with #ZweliNyathi
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
CoJ rejects claims R192 million allocated for Lilian Ngoyi Street wasted
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Johannesburg has rejected allegations that the R192 million allocated for the reconstruction of Lilian Ngoyi Street has been wasted. This comes in response to accusations from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng, which claims corruption is behind the delays in repairing the road. ALSO READ: Joburg Roads Agency says Lilian Ngoyi Street repairs at 77% complete Although it has been two years since an underground gas explosion severely damaged the street, the city has committed to completing the repairs by the end of next month. Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) CEO Zweli Nyathi insists that every cent of the allocated funds has been used effectively. 'From where we are sitting, we are still within budget, and nothing has ballooned like they are implying. There have been no additional costs. From where I am sitting, I haven't paid anything beyond that.'
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Sandton roads to get an upgrade after city investment
Sandton roads to get an upgrade after city investment The City of Johannesburg is rolling out a comprehensive plan to address the mounting frustrations caused by potholes and poor road conditions, especially in high-traffic areas like Sandton. Through a substantial R149.9m allocation for the 2025/26 financial year, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is set to resurface key arterial routes, including parts of the M1 North and South, Sandton Highway, and other main roads that connect the vibrant business district to the rest of the city. This targeted investment responds to the urgent need for safer, more reliable roads. The initiative includes proactive and reactive maintenance, road rehabilitation, and reinstatement of roads affected by excavations – particularly those caused by infrastructure repairs by Johannesburg Water (JW). Also read: JRA responds to Kew pothole concerns A visual conditions assessment (VCA) has identified roads in 'very poor' condition that require reconstruction or resurfacing, ensuring resources are focused where they are most needed. JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi said: 'This increased budget, up from R105m last financial year, reflects our commitment to addressing roads that have deteriorated beyond repair and will restore the public's trust in our infrastructure. We are focused on delivering tangible improvements that will alleviate the daily challenges faced by commuters.' MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene emphasised the importance of these upgrades. 'Johannesburg's road infrastructure, in some areas, was not designed for today's traffic volumes. Resurfacing main arterial roads is critical to ensuring safe and efficient mobility, especially on municipal highways and other key commuter routes, which are vital for the city's economic and social growth.' Also read: Sandton roads to get a major makeover Nyathi concluded: 'JRA will utilise asphalt produced at its Booysens Asphalt Plant to maintain quality and efficiency during resurfacing. Additionally, the agency is working closely with JW to reduce reinstatement backlogs by 75%, restoring roads and sidewalks affected by utility excavations.' According to Ward 91 councillor Andrew Stewart, the money invested for road repairs has decreased compared to previous financial years. 'In previous financial years, the line item for potholes has been about R200m, but limited and uneven spending has led to JRA cherry-picking repairs, leaving many potholes unaddressed. 'The city has, generally, underinvested in road maintenance and pothole fixing, which is urgently needed. Streets like Gayre Drive, North Road, Westbrooke Drive in Sandown, Riverside Road in Glen Athol, and 2nd Street in Wynberg, by the Magistrate's Court, are in desperate need of pothole repairs.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Mind the hole: Good news in Johannesburg's pothole crisis
According to JRA, the upgrades will improve ride quality, enhance drainage, prevent new potholes from forming. The City of Johannesburg has unveiled a R149.9 million investment to resurface key roads across the metro in the 2025/26 financial year. This is part of a multi-pronged strategy to address its worsening pothole crisis and decaying road network. The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) said the funding will be used to comprehensively resurface main arterial and collector roads. It will prioritise areas such as Kliptown, Nasrec, Eldorado Park, Ivory Park, Sandton, Soweto Highway and stretches of the M1 North and South. 'This increased budget, up from R105 million last financial year, reflects our commitment to addressing roads that have deteriorated beyond repair,' said JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi. 'We understand the immense frustration caused by the current state of the city's roads.' Resurfacing 85km of road The resurfacing programme aims to upgrade 85 kilometres of road between July 2025 and June 2026. The work follows a Visual Conditions Assessment (VCA), which flagged many of these roads as being in 'very poor' condition, requiring urgent reconstruction or resurfacing. According to JRA, the upgrades will improve ride quality, enhance drainage, prevent new potholes from forming, and extend the lifespan of the roads. The asphalt will be supplied by JRA's own Booysens Asphalt Plant to ensure quality and efficiency. 'We are focused on delivering tangible improvements that will alleviate the daily challenges faced by commuters,' Nyathi added. ALSO READ: Joburg speaker removed in vote of no confidence Coordinated repairs and reinstatement Alongside resurfacing, JRA continues with daily pothole patching, crack sealing and deep patching. It is also working on a regional road reinstatement programme to restore roads and sidewalks dug up during infrastructure repairs, particularly by Johannesburg Water. A Service Level Agreement between JRA and Johannesburg Water has helped cut the reinstatement backlog by 75% of 10 000 cases in the current financial year. ALSO READ: How Joburg plans to spend R89 billion Long-term planning underway MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene said the city's road network was under pressure from more cars being on the road. 'Johannesburg's road infrastructure, in some areas, was not designed for today's traffic volumes. Resurfacing main arterial roads is critical to ensuring safe and efficient mobility,' he said. Last year's resurfacing work included projects in areas such as Kyalami Estates, Quellerina, Florida Park, Protea Glen, Birdhaven, and Suideroord. The City said the new investment signals its ongoing commitment to safer, more reliable roads. NOW READ: No budget, no bridge, no answers from JRA
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Alexandra's London Road features on JRA's city-wide resurfacing programme
Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) revealed that London Road in Alexandra is one of the roads included in their city-wide resurfacing programme. On June 17, the agency announced the city's capital injection of R2.8b over the next three years, with a budget of R912.81m allocated for the current financial year, which will be used for the agency's programmes in the 2025/26 fiscal year. One of the key programmes which the agency said Alexandra will benefit from, is the road network upgrades which will see road reconstruction and rehabilitation being prioritised. Read more: MMC and JRA celebrate completion of major projects in region E 'This includes upgrading high-traffic corridors that link townships to major economic centres, aiming to ease congestion and enhance connectivity. The city-wide resurfacing programme goes beyond pothole repair and patching and is backed by a R149m investment for the 2025/26 financial year,' read a JRA statement. The programme will include numerous roads in Ward 17, linking Kliptown to Eldorado Park, Ward 80, Lord Khanyisile Road, and London Road in Alexandra. Other projects the agency will carry out across the city for the current fiscal year include storm water infrastructure expansion, bridge rehabilitation, traffic signal upgrades and refurbishments, new road construction, and gravel road upgrades. JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi expressed gratitude for the city's commitment, noting that: 'Every rand allocated will be utilised efficiently and effectively to make a tangible difference in the lives of Johannesburg residents and road users.' Transport MMC Kenny Kunene revealed that the city has a road infrastructure backlog of R276b. Despite the budget shortfall, he said the capital injection of R2.8b provides them with essential resources to continue their work. The statement continued: 'We appreciate the support and will strive to maximise the impact of these funds on maintaining and developing a safe and efficient road network for all.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
eNCA
19-06-2025
- Business
- eNCA
Upgrades to roads, bridges and drainage infrastructure
JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg roads, bridges and infrastructure are getting a major facelift with a capital injection of R2.8 billion rand over the next three financial years. These funds will be used to enhance and modernise critical road, storm water, and bridge infrastructure. This will hopefully improve mobility, safety, and foster sustainable urban growth. But is this money enough, considering the dire state of the city's road network? In terms of project delivery, the Johannesburg Roads Agency's CEO, Zweli Nyathi, says that they have learnt their lesson and have deployed a serious team.
