Sinkhole threatening Dewittsrus residents is ignored by authorities
For nearly three years, residents of Dewittsrus have lived with a dangerous sinkhole. Despite multiple reports and assurances from local officials, the issue remains unresolved, leaving the community frustrated and at risk
Residents of Dewittsrus have endured nearly three years of living with a dangerous sinkhole that threatens their safety.
The sinkhole has compromised a key road, which is now closed to vehicles due to its hazardous condition.
The Alberton Record visited the area in April, when a frustrated resident told us they had reported the issue to Clr Ivan Naidoo earlier this year. The resident expressed disappointment, claiming that no action had been taken despite repeated reports.
Naidoo responded to the Record’s enquiry, stating that he had escalated the matter to the roads department, which assured him a team would investigate and allocate a budget for repairs.
He was awaiting their report; however, to date, the sinkhole remains unaddressed, and residents cannot use the road.
The community first reported the problem last year, and reported it again on February 27 this year with a new reference number.
Despite these efforts, no one attended to the issue for over two years and seven months, leading residents to stop reporting it.
When contacted again, Naidoo claimed no reports had been received in the past two months.
He said, “I will follow up with the department. Since the new budget was approved in June, they are now busy procuring materials for potholes, streetlights, and roads.”
A resident expressed their frustration, saying, “The councillor does not take responsibility for the area.”
