WATCH: Residents fear for safety as Alberante sinkhole remains unrepaired for months
Residents in Alberante Security Village say a growing sinkhole that has remained unrepaired for months poses a serious danger to children, pets and the public, with the community forced to cordon off the area themselves.
Residents in Alberante Security Village are raising serious safety concerns over a large sinkhole that has remained unrepaired for months on an open servitude frequently used by families, children and dog walkers.
According to residents, the sinkhole was first noticed and reported through the City of Ekurhuleni app on November 23, 2025.
The matter was then escalated to Ward 106 councillor Tim Denny and Ward 106 committee member Nina McFarlane.
The sinkhole, believed to have formed due to a damaged underground stormwater pipe, has continued to grow, particularly after heavy rainfall.
Speaking at the site, Denny described the situation as dangerous and unacceptable.
@albertonrecord Residents in Alberante Security Village say a growing sinkhole that has remained unrepaired for months poses a serious danger to children, pets and the public, with the community forced to cordon off the area themselves. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za
“For at least six months, I think it may be eight months, this sinkhole has been here,” he said. “If someone falls here, they will not hurt themselves; they will die.”
Denny explained that the damaged pipe below the surface is approximately 1.5m in circumference, while the hole itself is estimated to be about 5m deep.
He said residents regularly use the area for recreation.
“It’s a lovely area where people walk and play with their dogs and kids drive motorcycles and have a wonderful recreational time here,” he said.
According to Leanne Trim of the Alberante-Randhart Security Village (ARSV) Committee, the servitude is used by both residents living inside and outside the enclosure.
“It is a popular green space where people walk their dogs, spend time with their children and make general recreational use of the area,” said Trim.
Trim said residents fear the unstable ground surrounding the sinkhole could collapse further.
“During periods of heavy rainfall, stormwater flowing through the pipe system further erodes the surrounding ground, causing the hole to expand and making the adjacent soil increasingly unstable,” she explained.
Residents are particularly concerned that a child, elderly person or pet could fall into the sinkhole and sustain serious injuries.
Despite repeated reports to the municipality, residents claim no remedial work has been carried out.
“At my request, McFarlane has escalated the matter to the municipality on several occasions,” said Trim.
The last feedback residents reportedly received from the municipality was on January 4, 2026, after updated video footage showing the sinkhole’s growth was submitted.
“The response received was, ‘All complaints have been submitted to the teams’,” added McFarlane.
According to Trim, no municipal officials have visited the site to conduct an inspection, and no repairs have been undertaken.
Because of growing safety concerns, residents said they took it upon themselves to cordon off the area using cones and caution tape.
“I did raise concerns that securing the area should not be the responsibility of residents, but rather that of the municipality,” said Trim.
Denny has called on the relevant municipal departments to urgently intervene and secure the area before somebody gets hurt.
“I think it’s disgraceful that the department hasn’t at least made this area safe,” he said.
The Alberton Record contacted the City of Ekurhuleni for comment and is awaiting feedback.
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