A tree stump planted inside a pothole has become the latest symbol of growing frustration in Quigney, where residents say deteriorating roads, reckless driving and neglected infrastructure are putting lives at risk.
The makeshift warning marker — dubbed a “pothole pot plant” by locals, has drawn attention to what they describe as years of municipal neglect.
The outcry follows a high-impact collision in the early hours of the morning at the corner of Fitzpatrick Road and Inverleith Terrace, where a driver allegedly failed to stop at a stop street, jolting nearby residents awake.
Speaking at the scene over the weekend, Patriotic Alliance (PA) Ward 47 candidate councillor Shalkino Botha said motorists routinely ignored traffic signs, turning the residential neighbourhood into a danger zone.
“As you can see, there’s a stop street over here, but the cars don’t really stop here,” said Botha.
“Anybody who has a licence is supposed to stop at a stop street. It’s not a yield sign. You stop, make sure it’s safe, and then proceed.
“Most of the incidents here happen in the early hours of the morning, and many involve drivers who appear to be under the influence.”
Botha said vehicles travelling along Fitzpatrick Road had the right of way, but motorists entering from intersecting roads frequently ignored the stop signs, increasing the risk of serious collisions.
He said faded road markings and the absence of clearly visible pedestrian crossings endangered residents, particularly schoolchildren who walked through the area daily.
The condition of the roads has also become a growing concern. Pointing to a damaged section of Fitzpatrick Road, Botha said municipal repair teams only partially fixed it after residents reported the potholes.
“There was a huge pothole here that we reported, but they only repaired one and left the other one open,” he said.
“One of the homeless guys took a tree stump and stuck it inside the pothole. It ended up looking like a pothole pot plant.”
While the improvised warning has raised a few smiles, Botha said it highlighted the desperation of residents who feel they have been left to find their own solutions to dangerous roads.
Beyond the deteriorating infrastructure, Botha also expressed concern about safety in the suburb, saying dense coastal vegetation had become a refuge for homeless people, adding to fears of increased crime.
“Many people sleep lightly because you never know what’s happening. You hear crashes or someone trying to get into your yard,” he said.
“Many of the vagrants end up in Quigney. The forest has become their main place of shelter.”
Quigney Ratepayers’ Association spokesperson Lwandy Ngebe said they shared the deep concern raised by residents regarding escalating road hazards and infrastructure neglect in our suburb.
“The recent collision at the corner of Fitzpatrick Street and Inverleith Terrace is a tragic but predictable result of ignored traffic signals, faded road markings, and a lack of visible law enforcement,” said Ngebe.
“We stand ready to work with Ward 47 leadership, law enforcement SAPS, and all stakeholders to find solutions. Government cannot do it alone. Community safety is a shared responsibility.”
Responding to resident outrage over escalating road hazards and infrastructure neglect in Quigney, Ward 47 Councillor Funeka Wolose confirmed she has formally escalated the issues to the Municipal Roads Section and Traffic Department, while noting that repairs follow a predetermined financial year schedule based on priority and available resources. Wolose urged motorists to take personal responsibility and obey road rules, adding that Ward 47 budget allocations are directly determined by residents through formal public participation processes. She further stated that her office, which serves the entire Quigney community, is awaiting an inaugural meeting with the newly elected Community Policing Forum (CPF) and Sector Crime Forum leadership to establish a joint strategy for local crime and vagrancy.
