Emandleni residents live in fear after sinkhole discovery
Residents in the area remain on edge, anxiously waiting for answers and urgent action.
Residents of the Emandleni informal settlement say they are living in constant fear as a large sinkhole that developed in April continues to grow, with no intervention from the municipality.
The sinkhole, situated a few kilometres from KwaDladla, a local bottle store, was discovered by residents after heavy rainfall.
According to community leader Vuyokazi Majeke, the collapse occurred at around 04:00 on a rainy morning, shortly after residents on their way to work had crossed the site.
“It’s by luck that no one was hurt that morning. Had the timing been different, we would be telling a different story,” said Majeke.
Another community leader, Albert Skosana, said the hole did not start as a crack but appeared suddenly, adding that the community acted swiftly by reporting the matter to local councillors who, in turn, informed the municipality.
“Officials came to assess the site, but three months later, nothing has been done. We’re still waiting, and we’re scared. The area is frequently used by taxis and residents accessing the informal settlement.”
Skosana added that when the shacks were originally erected, they were placed a few metres from the site because of a known underground pipe.
“We thought we were protecting residents from a possible pipe burst. We didn’t know we were actually saving them from a sinkhole. We also fear the deep hole could be used to conceal crime because crime is already high in our area.
“That sinkhole is a risk — someone could be killed and dumped in it without anyone noticing,” warned Skosana.
The sinkhole is believed to be linked to illegal mining activity in the area, with some community members reporting tremors and loud underground noises at night.
@benonicitytimes Residents of the Emandleni informal settlement say they are living in constant fear as a large sinkhole that developed in April continues to grow, with no intervention from the municipality. Click on the link for the full story: https://www.citizen.co.za/benoni-city-times/news-headlines/2025/06/26/emandleni-residents-live-in-fear-after-sinkhole-discovery/ #Benoni #benonitiktok #Gauteng #Brakpan #sinkhole #ekurhuleni
Majeke said cracks have since appeared inside nearby shacks, suggesting further instability underground.
Resident Nando Zitha said he recently relocated from the area due to safety concerns.
“Children play near the hole. We warn them, but some don’t listen. We’ve been waiting for the municipality to close the hole for months,” he said.
Majeke added that the existing V-shaped drainage system in the area, made of precast concrete, could be contributing to the collapse.
“Water from washing and household chores poured by residents flows through the drains and often ends up as sewer water. It smells, and it’s possible that the water is weakening the ground,” said Majeke.
Councillor
Ward 29 Clr Imtiaaz Loonat confirmed that he is aware of the sinkhole and has visited the site several times since being alerted to the matter.
He said the issue was initially reported to the Department of Roads, which barricaded the area, but later determined it fell outside their scope and redirected the matter to the City Planning Department.
“I am still awaiting a response from the City Planning Department,” he said.
Loonat said on June 22 he was notified that the warning tape used to cordon off the area had been removed under unclear circumstances. He said he will again request the Department of Roads to barricade the site.
Metro responds
According to metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the sinkhole will be repaired once investigations have been concluded, which will determine the cause of the problem, its depth, the best solutions and the budget required.
He said the sinkhole, which is 2.5m by 3m wide and 20m deep, appears to have been triggered by a leaking pipe and poses a danger to the community.
“An assessment was conducted and the hole was barricaded at the time to prevent any unwanted accidents. “The area is being monitored by our customer relations manager and Disaster and Emergency Management Services teams.”
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