Always ask for a reference number

Report roads issues to the Newcastle Municipality

• Call centre: 034 328 7600

• Twitter: @nnmunicipality

• Download: Newcastle Municipality App

Contact the Newcastle Traffic Department

• Call:  034 328 4700

Report Potholes to SANRAL

The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) is responsible for maintaining most national and some provincial and regional roads. 

Download: Vala Zonke Pothole Reporting App

Steps for successful reporting

1. Contact the relevant department to report the problem.  

2. Stay patient, be polite and always ask for a reference number.

3. Let your neighbourhood group know that you have reported the problem and share the reference number with the group.

4. Keep following up using your reference number. The more you and your neighbours follow up, the more likely it is to get fixed.

Road, transport and traffic issues you can report

• Faulty traffic lights

• Broken streetlights 

• Pothole repairs

• Faded road markings and missing signage

• Blocked stormwater drains

• Broken pavements

• Public transport issues

No luck with reporting?

If you can't get through or your issue isn’t being resolved, reach out to your ward councillor or community groups. You can escalate your issue by clicking here for more options.

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

• How to start a WhatsApp group

• How to start a residents' association

• How to set up a community policing forum

• How to set up a neighbourhood watch

• How to organise community action

• How to use media to create pressure for change

Know your rights – how local government works

It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.

Photograph: KH Plant