{"id":19616,"date":"2026-04-20T15:45:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/?p=19616"},"modified":"2026-04-20T15:46:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:46:12","slug":"puk-students-are-gatvol-with-potholes-demand-urgent-repair-of-high-risk-potholes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/en\/puk-students-are-gatvol-with-potholes-demand-urgent-repair-of-high-risk-potholes\/","title":{"rendered":"PUK students are \u201cGATVOL\u201d with potholes, demand urgent repair of high-risk potholes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>AfriForum Youth\u2019s PUK branch in Potchefstroom today officially kicked off its GATVOL campaign, which is a protest against the deteriorating condition of roads around the campus of the North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus. As part of the campaign, the branch sent a letter to Kgomotso Kumbe, Municipal Manager of the JB Marks Local Municipality, today demanding the urgent repair of ten high-risk potholes in the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" data-id=\"19625\" src=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-1-1-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-1-1-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-1-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-1-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-1-1-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-1-1-2048x1151.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" data-id=\"19623\" src=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-2-1-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-2-1-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-2-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-2-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-2-1-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-2-1-2048x1151.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" data-id=\"19627\" src=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-3-2-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-3-2-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-3-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-3-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-3-2-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-3-2-2048x1151.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" data-id=\"19621\" src=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-4-1-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19621\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-4-1-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-4-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-4-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-4-1-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GATVOL_1-4-1-2048x1151.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the run-up to the official start of the GATVOL campaign, a number of AfriForum Youth members gathered on 16 April to visibly express their frustration with the poor condition of roads. During this gathering, students \u2013 standing in some of the largest potholes in the town \u2013 strategically spelt out the word \u201cGATVOL\u201d on their bottoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, the branch also identified the ten high-risk potholes. Warning signs stating, among other things, \u201cWelcome to Potholestroom\u201d and \u201cDiving lessons here: More than just tyres are diving here\u201d have been erected at these potholes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to AfriForum Youth, the notice boards are not only aimed at warning motorists about the dangerous potholes but also at pointing out to the Municipality that urgent intervention is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AfriForum Youth has now set a deadline of 30 days for the Municipality to repair the ten identified potholes. These identified potholes are located as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>72 Hoffman Street<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>56 Rissik Street<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>54 Rissik Street<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>59A Molen Street (corner of Molen and Meyer Streets)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>41 Molen Street<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>47 Meyer Street<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>44 Meyer Street<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>25 Chief Albert Luthuli Drive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>139 Steve Biko Street<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>25 Esselen Street<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe refuse to accept this new \u2018normal\u2019. Potholes are not part of an everyday adventure or phenomenon. It is a sign of neglect and a lack of accountability,\u201d says Jank\u00e9 Crots, Chairperson and Spokesperson for AfriForum Youth\u2019s PUK branch. \u201cWhat we see is not simply poor infrastructure but the systemic collapse of service delivery that can no longer be ignored.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AfriForum Youth maintains that Potchefstroom&#8217;s roads are now characterised by extensive potholes that cause inconvenience and pose serious safety risks for all road users. The organisation further argues that the Municipality\u2019s failure to maintain the roads also leads to frequent damages to vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Municipality has a critical responsibility to maintain public infrastructure and ensure the safety and functionality thereof. This is a responsibility placed on municipalities in terms of the Constitution. Therefore, the failure to properly maintain roads is a blatant violation of the Constitution that carries serious legal implications,\u201d adds Crots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students, residents and parents are encouraged to support AfriForum Youth\u2019s petition and the GATVOL campaign and thereby help hold the Municipality to account. The organisation hopes to bring about real change through this campaign and, therefore, calls on the municipality to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>prioritise the repair of identified potholes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>draw up and implement a transparent and sustainable road maintenance plan; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>provide regular feedback to the public on the progress and challenges experienced in this regard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSafe roads are not a luxury \u2013 they are a basic right. We will no longer stand by as our infrastructure decays and people\u2019s safety is put at risk. We choose to stand up, to speak out and to take action,\u201d Crots concludes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click <a href=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/puk-studente-is-gatvol-vir-slaggate\/\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a> to support the petition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260420-AfriForum-Youth-Puk-branch-to-JB-Marks-Municipality-.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of 20260420 AfriForum Youth Puk branch to JB Marks Municipality.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-f9ce28c2-11d7-47c9-ae25-def39bb354f0\" href=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260420-AfriForum-Youth-Puk-branch-to-JB-Marks-Municipality-.pdf\">20260420 AfriForum Youth Puk branch to JB Marks Municipality<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/afriforumjeug.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260420-AfriForum-Youth-Puk-branch-to-JB-Marks-Municipality-.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-f9ce28c2-11d7-47c9-ae25-def39bb354f0\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AfriForum Youth\u2019s PUK branch in Potchefstroom today officially kicked off its GATVOL campaign, which is a protest against the deteriorating condition of roads around the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":109,"featured_media":19610,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[864,465],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-afriforum-youth-media-statements","category-media-statements"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":864,"label":"AfriForum 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