The Premier Panyaza Lesufi-led minority government’s inability to defend and protect the infrastructure in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, has left residents frustrated and discouraged businesses from operating in the area. This was unveiled during an oversight inspection conducted by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng, focusing on identified crime and theft hotspots in Boksburg.
The inspection uncovered pervasive deterioration of infrastructure, insufficient visible policing, and increasing lawlessness — all indicators of a Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) that is either unable or unwilling to protect the public assets vital for economic stability and community welfare.
Despite ongoing public complaints about the inconvenience caused by the Rondebult sinkhole – arguably the largest pothole in Gauteng -there has been no significant progress in repairing this road or safeguarding it against criminals. Instead, this sinkhole on a provincial road has been left unattended while the GPG and Ekurhuleni engage in a blame game of who should be responsible for fixing it.
The closure of this regional road is causing significant inconvenience for residents and businesses in Ekurhuleni. This road is a critical route for transporting goods and services, and it is used daily by approximately 40,000 vehicles, including commuters to major industries and OR Tambo International Airport. Moreover, it links crucial highways such as the N17 and N12, underscoring its significance in promoting regional connectivity.
Furthermore, the failure to address the expanding Rondebult sinkhole has led to a dire situation for the community. What began as a tiny hole has now evolved into a massive crater that could be over 100 meters deep. This expansion is primarily the result of activities by illegal miners who continue to excavate underground, creating an extensive network of tunnels beneath the surface. A body was recently discovered in the sinkhole, raising grave concerns that criminals are now using the area as a dumping site. This not only threatens the structural integrity of the surrounding land but also endangers public safety and contributes to growing lawlessness, to which Premier Lesufi remains indifferent.
See photos here, here, here, here and here.
The DA has consistently raised this issue in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) and the City of Ekurhuleni Council. Unfortunately, our concerns have not been addressed. What could have been resolved for a few million has now escalated into serious problems that will require over R100 million to fix.
We demand that the Lesufi-led government repair this road for the benefit of residents and businesses. We further call for action against illegal mining on this road, theft and vandalism in the city centre, where robots are being vandalised and stolen. The people of Boksburg have heard enough empty promises from Premier Lesufi, who continues to claim he is serious about fixing roads and protecting infrastructure, yet does nothing.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would never have permitted such a critical road to deteriorate to this extent. Instead of neglect and delays, we would have acted swiftly and decisively to address the infrastructure defects and restore safe, efficient mobility for residents and businesses. The DA Gauteng would have also dealt with the criminal activities that make the area unsafe for those who live and work in it.