Reporting potholes makes Joburg roads safer, says Discovery Insure

Poor road conditions, including potholes, remain a road safety risk on Johannesburg’s roads, especially after heavy rains. Beyond vehicle and tyre damage, potholes increase the risk of accidents, loss of control and dangerous swerving, especially at night and in wet conditions.

Since its launch in 2021, Discovery Pothole Patrol, a public-private initiative between the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and Avis South Africa (who joined from 2023), has repaired more than 334,000 potholes across Johannesburg.

Impressively, over 92,000 of the potholes repaired were reported by residents using the free Discovery Pothole Patrol app.

Durable repairs, not temporary solutions

The Department of Transport defines a pothole as a hole in the road that’s up to one square metre. Potholes typically form when a crack in the road surface allows water to seep in, weakening the underlying structure. When heavy vehicles pass over the area, the pressure creates a gap below the surface. With no support underneath, the asphalt collapses and breaks apart – that’s how potholes are formed.

While potholes may look simple to fix, durable repairs require technical expertise, specialised equipment and strict quality control. Discovery Pothole Patrol focuses on long-lasting repairs rather than short-term patching. Using high-pressure and heat-based repair methods, potholes are cleaned, waterproofed and sealed to prevent water ingress and repeat failures.

Each repair undergoes ongoing quality checks, contributing to a 99% repair success rate since 2021, with less than 0,2% of the repaired potholes requiring further attention.

Given the scale of road damage across Johannesburg, repairs are prioritised on high-volume routes with heavy traffic, where interventions can have the greatest impact on recurring accidents and overall road safety.

Keeping Joburg’s roads safe starts with reporting potholes, not DIY repairs

Instead of attempting to fix potholes themselves, Discovery Insure encourages members of the public to report them through the free Discovery Pothole Patrol app.

“We understand the frustration residents feel when they see potholes on their daily routes, and the intention to fix them is often well-meaning,” says Discovery Insure Chief Commercial Officer Precious Nduli. “But proper pothole repair is a technical process. Discovery Pothole Patrol deploys eight teams daily to repair potholes, using heavy machinery, extreme heat, and high-pressure methods to ensure the road is properly compacted and sealed. If that process isn’t done correctly, the pothole is likely to reopen very quickly.”

Nduli adds that informal repairs can unintentionally worsen the problem. “Using the wrong materials or techniques can trap water beneath the surface, accelerating further damage and creating new hazards. That’s why reporting potholes is the best way to ensure repairs are done safely and to the right standard.”

Where road damage extends beyond a standard pothole, the Discovery Pothole Patrol team will refer the case to the Johannesburg Roads Agency for resurfacing or reconstruction as part of the City’s broader infrastructure programmes.

Reporting potholes makes a real difference

All road users play a vital role in improving road safety by reporting potholes as soon as they appear. The Discovery Pothole Patrol mobile app allows users to log potholes using geolocation within the JRA’s jurisdiction, helping teams efficiently prioritise repairs.

To report a pothole in Johannesburg, download the free Discovery Pothole Patrol app (available on iOS and Android), register, and submit a photo or location.

NOTES:

1. The Discovery Pothole Patrol uses two technologies to repair potholes. The first step is a high-pressure cleaning process to prepare the area. A waterproofing spray is then applied to the inside of the pothole, followed by the blowing in of aggregate under high pressure and its compaction. A second layer of waterproofing is applied, followed by a fine layer of asphalt residue to complete the seal. The thermal process uses heat-based technology to recycle and reduce existing road material. The damaged area is cleaned, heated to 150 °C to reactivate the bitumen, and compacted with new material if needed. This ensures a seamless, long-lasting repair
2. The Discovery Pothole Patrol conducts ongoing quality checks on every repair and is proud to maintain a 99% repair success rate since 2021, with fewer than 0.2% of repaired potholes requiring follow-up. Furthermore, Discovery Insure data indicates a 67% decline in potholes reported in active areas, reflecting both proactive repairs and reduced recurring defects.
3. The Discovery Pothole Patrol deploys eight road-repair vehicles daily to support the City of Johannesburg’s operations. Since the initiative’s inception, Discovery Insure has seen a 26% reduction in pothole-related motor vehicle claims, demonstrating a direct link between improved roads and safer driving conditions.