Illiondale sinkhole still a safety threat after two years

More than two years after a sinkhole in Illiondale was formed, it remains unrepaired, a risk to the community, motorists and pedestrians alike.

Formed in April 2023, the subsidence is located at the T-junction of Laurie and Hubert Mathew roads. As safety concerns like the subsidence grow, it is slowly becoming a flowerbed for weeds and local vegetation.

Concerned community member Christine Wood, an Avenues resident, said that the subsidence was much smaller when it initially formed.

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In her opinion, it would have cost much less to repair than it would in its current state.

“Look at the state of this now; it’s going to cost millions more,” said Wood.

Martin van Zyl, owner of the nearby Total Energies Sanel Service Station on Laurie Road, said his greatest concern is the sinkhole’s proximity to Laurie Road, a main thoroughfare.

If the subsidence were to expand towards the main road, it could lead to the closure of Laurie Road, which would impact van Zyl’s and other businesses nearby.

Van Zyl, who said he saw children sitting near the subsidence a month ago, said that although he has seen municipal workers conduct inspections at the site, the subsidence remains a concern.

ALSO READ: No emergency funds for Illiondale sinkhole – CoE

Van Zyl said that when he saw the children near the subsidence, he told them to get away from it.

“Safety and the closure of Laurie Road are my greatest concerns,” he said.

Wood, who photographed the subsidence on May 4, believed it had collapsed over several days before meeting with the NEWS on May 7.

Pointing at a hole at the edge of the subsidence closest to Laurie Road, Wood said, “We don’t know if or how far the subsidence extends under Laurie Road.”

Speaking about her concerns, Wood explained that the situation could turn disastrous if the subsidence were to collapse.

“It could result in the loss of life, the loss of private property.

ALSO READ: Questions raised about sinkhole repair in Illondale after a year

“If it collapses, it will impact one of the main thoroughfares to Edenvale town from Modderfontein Road,” said Wood.

She added that the subsidence must have deteriorated further with all the recent rain.

“If this had been addressed in the beginning and received the attention it deserved, we wouldn’t be standing here today,” said Wood.

She said it did not matter what the cause was or how much it would cost, Wood emphasised that the municipality should prioritise the site for the community’s safety.

According to Ward 18’s Ald Heather Hart, she has not been informed what the new repair cost of the subsidence will be; similarly, she has not been informed if any funds have been allocated to the repairs yet.

According to Hart, plans and consultants for the project are in place. However, a contractor still needs to be appointed.

She highlighted that the only step delaying the project was the appointment of a contractor.

ALSO READ: Residents urged to report early sinkholes – CoE

“I have been assured that unless a more serious incident occurs for which emergency funding is required, the long overdue repair to this road will take place within the next few months,” said Hart.

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni on May 7, requesting comment by May 9 at 12:30.

At the time of going to print, no comment was received.