Over 25 million potholes threaten South African motorists, warns AA

Potholes remain a major issue for the country, despite ongoing government efforts to address the problem through various maintenance programmes and targeted repair initiatives.

The Automobile Association (AA) believes that the number of potholes on South African roads could be more than 25 million.

In the past the condition of roads has sparked protests from communities, particularly where damaged roads have hindered access to essential services and public transport.

Last week, IOL reported that Quentin Meyer, a councillor for Ward 2 in Pretoria North, planted trees in potholes as a form of protest against what he described as poor service delivery by the City of Tshwane.

Eleanor Mavimbela, a spokesperson for the AA, expressed concern over the scale of the pothole problem, suggesting that the number could be higher than 25 million.

“We believe the number might be potentially higher than that, and it’s not only due to the recent rains in KwaZulu-Natal,” Mavimbela said in an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.

She explained that potholes represent more than just an inconvenience, as they can cause significant damage to vehicles, including tyres, rims, and even the vehicle’s body if large enough.

Mavimbela also highlighted the use of substandard materials in pothole repairs, which often result in temporary fixes instead of long-term solutions.

She noted that the patchwork efforts employed by many municipalities are insufficient to cope with high traffic volumes and adverse weather conditions.

“The materials used are not strong enough to withstand traffic volumes or weather conditions,” she said.

In 2023, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) responded to reports of 25 million potholes, denying the figure.

“We do not dispute that South Africa has a pothole crisis and remain committed to working with provinces and municipalities to address it,” said SANRAL spokesperson Vusi Mona.

“However, we must be realistic about the extent of the issue and recognise the work done by municipalities and provincial departments in repairing potholes.”

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