The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned about the severe economic and social impact caused by the City of Tshwane’s continued failure to complete Line 2B of the Areyeng Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) expansion. The project’s deadline has now been extended yet again, this time to March 2026.
Businesses along the route have suffered major losses as foot traffic and accessibility declined, leading to job losses and reduced income. Motorists and pedestrians have also faced increased safety risks due to ongoing construction and road disruptions.
To make matters worse, the City has failed to finalise compensation for property owners along the BRT route connecting Hatfield to Menlo Park. Payments have been delayed as the City outsourced the process to a third-party law firm, further stalling progress and disrupting local livelihoods.
These administrative failures and project delays are exposing the City to potential litigation – a direct result of poor project management and planning. The ripple effect of these delays is being felt most acutely by small businesses and workers who depend on local economic activity to survive.
In addition, the ongoing construction poses safety and accessibility challenges for University of Pretoria students, particularly as they prepare for exams.
The DA will be submitting urgent questions to the Executive Mayor of Tshwane to obtain clear answers on the progress and financial management of this project. We will also raise the matter in the Parliamentary Appropriations Committee to determine how funds have been spent and what tangible benefit, if any, this project has delivered to residents.
The people of Tshwane deserve efficient service delivery, responsible governance, and infrastructure projects that create jobs, not destroy them.