Transport MMC Kenny Kunene Reveals City of Johannesburg Needs R37 Billion to Fix Metro's Pothole-Riddled Roads

• Johannesburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene revealed what it would take to fix the metro's road infrastructure in a candid media briefing
• Kunene claimed the city needs R37 billion it does not have to fix the metro's pothole-riddled roads
• The transport MMC said his department plans to approach the National Treasury for more money to address the deteriorating infrastructure

JOHANNESBURG -Johannesburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene got real about what is needed to fix the roads in the metro.

Kunene revealed that fixing the metro's pothole-riddled roads has a hefty R37 billion price tag.

Kunene addressed the media at a briefing on Thursday, 9 March, when he gave insight into the state of transport in Johannesburg and was very candid about the challenges facing the metro.

Kenny Kunene claims City of Joburg doesn't have enough money to fix roads adequately

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The transport MMC said that to repair Johannesburg roads adequately, the metro needs R37 billion, SABC News reported.

The problem, Kunene claims, arises from the fact that the previous administration allegedly depleted the funds in the metro's coffers, leaving only R400 million, when the treasury expects the city to have R1.3 billion in the bank.

Kenny Kunene details City of Joburg's plan to fix deteriorating roads

Speaking to eNCA after the briefing, Kunene said while his department and the Johannesburg Road Agency were urgently attending to the issue, the problem goes beyond potholes. It includes the entire road infrastructure and structural deficiencies.

Kunene said that with the little that his department has, it is fixing potholes by cutting out portions of the roads and resurfacing them rather than merely filling the holes with tar.

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The Transport MCC also revealed that they would petition the National Treasury for more money.

R37 billion price tag to fix Joburg's roads has South Africans on edge

Citizens questioned how Kunene reached the R37 billion estimate when it far surpasses the metro's budget. Some are standing behind him in support.

Below are some comments

Msibi Felix praised:

"Kunene must be mayor, he’s working, he can clean Johannesburg, he's not talking only, he’s doing."

Loyd Njizane

"Only R7 billion in that 37 will be used for roads, the rest will be fixing their lives."

Kuhle Vezi KanoNene quipped:

"The roads will be paved in gold, I guess. Mxm."

Coughlan Leonard Clack asked:

"How much of that is going to go into his pocket?"

Patrick Jonga questioned:

"How did he come to such an amount, because it's bigger than the budget?"

Kenny Kunene says Joburg residents should be grateful to have him amid criticism of his appointment as MMC

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In another story, Briefly News reported that controversial businessman and ex-convict Kenny Kunene spoke highly of himself amid backlash over his swearing-in as a mayoral committee member (MMC) in the City of Johannesburg's council.

However, the new transport MMC says that Johannesburg residents should be grateful that he's in the position instead of criticising him.

According to Daily Maverick, Kunene said that residents should be happy that he has decided to take on the momentous task of service delivery, because others who pretend to be moralists failed the people of Johannesburg.

Source: Briefly News