WATCH | ‘You can’t make this up’: Zille slams JRA as Lilian Ngoyi Street deadline slips

Helen Zille

Johannesburg – The reopening of Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Johannesburg CBD has been pushed back by two months after the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) cited operational cash-flow constraints that slowed work on the long-running rehabilitation project.

The JRA had initially targeted the end of August 2026 to complete Phase 2 of the project, but has now moved the deadline to 31 October, saying payments have been finalised and work has regained momentum. The agency said the project is currently 72% complete.

According to The Citizen, the JRA attributed the delay to “recent operational cash-flow constraints”. JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi said the remaining work includes major road, stormwater and pedestrian infrastructure.

“Major works are anticipated to be completed ahead of the October rains and thereafter the construction and installation of bus stops, street furniture and landscaping work will be finalised,” Nyathi said.

Mounting concerns 

The revised deadline comes after mounting concerns about whether the city would meet its August target.

Sowetan reported last week that several critical components remained incomplete, including road and sidewalk paving, which was only 35% complete at the time.

The 1.8km rehabilitation stretches between Ntemi Piliso and End streets and forms the second phase of a project prompted by the July 2023 methane gas explosion that damaged the road and killed one person.

The project has faced several setbacks since its inception. According to Engineering News, the second phase was originally scheduled to run from September 2025 to August 2026. The JRA had previously said the project was progressing according to schedule.

The City of Johannesburg reported in March that Phase 2 was about 70% complete and remained on track for an August completion.

The latest delay has also sparked political criticism. DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille visited the construction site this week on a quad bike, using the visit to question the city’s progress.

“After we went there with our quad bike, JRA has released this statement two days before the deadline. You can’t make this up,” Zille posted.

She questioned whether the delays amounted to incompetence or deliberate sabotage, adding to pressure on the City of Johannesburg over the prolonged disruption to businesses, pedestrians and motorists in the CBD.

The JRA, however, said the project remained on track and that the revised completion date was the earliest anticipated date, subject to the timely payment of service providers.

The agency said outstanding work includes paving the road and sidewalks, installing stormwater pipes, constructing stormwater manholes and kerb inlets, upgrading intersections and installing electrical lighting. Sections of Lilian Ngoyi Street will continue to experience localised closures as work progresses.

Nyathi sought to reassure affected communities, saying: “JRA assures road users, residents, businesses and other stakeholders of its efforts to ensure that the project remains on track without further delays beyond October 2026.”

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