Sandton Drive: who will pay?

If the renaming of Sandton Drive goes ahead, who will pay? Where will the money come from?

- Martin Williams

Community development, the City of Joburg department responsible for road renaming, says, "funds are available under line item 271815 228 1550".

I have been unable to interrogate this item. How much is allocated to what expenses? Community development is being opaque about costs. We know R750 000 may be used to advertise in newspapers and hire a public meeting venue.

A city which cannot afford to repair potholes, ensure steady supplies of water and electricity, or keep streets and parks clean, should not be spending undisclosed amounts on renaming a road whose name is uncontroversial.

One scandal within community development is the failure to reopen the Johannesburg Public Library since 2020.

Years of neglect have been accompanied by roof leaks, cracks, water damage and fire safety concerns.