How to Report a Pothole in South Africa
Potholes are a major road safety hazard across South Africa, causing tyre damage, vehicle accidents, and motorcycle injuries. You have the right to report potholes and demand repairs as a resident and taxpayer. This guide explains how to report a pothole to your municipality or SANRAL, how to use mobile apps, and what to do if the road is not repaired.
Who Is Responsible for Which Roads?
Different roads are maintained by different authorities. Reporting to the wrong entity will result in delays. Identify who is responsible for the road where you found the pothole.
| Road Type | Responsible Authority |
|---|---|
| National roads (N1, N2, N3, etc.) | SANRAL — South African National Roads Agency |
| Provincial roads (R-roads outside metro) | Provincial Department of Public Works/Transport |
| Municipal roads within city limits | Your local municipality |
| Toll roads | SANRAL or private toll concession company |
| Informal settlement roads | Municipality or provincial government |
Reporting a Pothole on a National Road (SANRAL)
- Call SANRAL on 0800 726 725 (toll-free, 24/7) to report potholes on national roads.
- Provide the road name or number (e.g. N3), the approximate kilometre marker or nearest landmark.
- Describe the pothole size and whether it is a road safety hazard.
- Ask for a reference number and the expected response time.
- You can also report at sanral.co.za using the online form under 'Report a Fault'.
Reporting a Pothole to Your Municipality
- City of Johannesburg: 011 375 5555 (Joburg Connect) or via the Joburg App.
- City of Tshwane: 012 358 9999 (Tshwane Connect) or tshwane.gov.za.
- City of Cape Town: 0860 103 089 or the CoCT App (log under 'Road Maintenance').
- eThekwini (Durban): 080 131 3111 or durban.gov.za.
- Ekurhuleni: 011 999 0000 or ekurhuleni.gov.za.
- For other municipalities, call the main municipal number and ask for the Roads and Transport department.
Using Mobile Apps to Report Potholes
- The CoCT App (Cape Town) allows you to photograph the pothole and pin its GPS location — very effective.
- The Joburg App works similarly for City of Johannesburg roads.
- PotholePatrol (potholepatrol.co.za) — South African crowd-sourcing app for reporting potholes nationally.
- WhereIsMyTransport and other civic tech apps also allow road fault reporting in some areas.
- When reporting via app, include a clear photo and the exact GPS location.
If the Pothole Is Not Repaired
- Follow up using your reference number after the expected repair time.
- If the municipality or SANRAL fails to act, escalate to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on 0800 212 116 — road maintenance is a service delivery obligation.
- You may have a civil claim against the municipality if the pothole damaged your vehicle and you can prove the authority was aware of it and failed to repair it. Consult an attorney for advice.
- Social media complaints tagged to the official municipal or SANRAL account sometimes accelerate repairs.