The formation of a sinkhole on the left shoulder of Snake Road (towards the N12) has members of the community fearing that the road may soon collapse.

Anton Koen, of NoJack Vehicle Tracking, posted a video of the hole on his Facebook page, warning motorists to remain vigilant when making use of one of the city’s major arterial roads.

Golden Drive and the surrounding areas are notorious illegal mining hotspots.

Upon visiting the site, the Benoni City Times found that a portion of the left-hand lane, towards the Golden Drive intersection, has been cordoned off, funnelling traffic into a single lane.

Under the watchful eye of suspected illegal miners, the publication approached the hole, which measures just under a meter in width.

“Looking inside, one can see a tunnel as well as hessian bags filled with sand just under the tarred surface,” said Koen.

“Our fears have been confirmed, illegal mining is causing extensive damage to the city’s infrastructure, which may soon lead to its total collapse. This is another Rondebult Road disaster waiting to happen.”

Collapsed excavations towards the left of the road revealed more tunnels near the surface.
Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph confirmed that the Roads Department and Rand Water have been notified of the development, as it may be in line with the utility’s pipeline.

“A site inspection will be conducted to establish the exact cause,” she said. “Once completed a plan will be actioned.”

Karl Rautenbach, of the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), stated on July 10 that the party has requested that the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), urgently address the matter.

“The CoE cannot ignore this like they ignore of other sinkholes throughout the metro,” he said.

“Repairs must be prioritised as failure to do so will endanger the lives of motorists who make use of this road daily.”

Road’s integrity compromised
This is not the first time that extensive sinkhole repairs have had to be conducted on Snake Road.

The road was closed in 2019 and reopened in October 2020.

In November 2021, the road was once again closed, from Pioneer Drive to Golden Drive, following the development of yet another sinkhole, measuring 15m wide and 15m deep.

A broken stormwater concrete pipe was allegedly at the root of the issue.

The City Times has approached the CoE for comment, but none was received at the time of publication.

Close the Holes
On January 23, SAPS deputy district commissioner Brigadier Lebohang Machakela joined forces with the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMR) to identify and seal illegal mine shafts in Benoni.

The operation, dubbed Operation Vala Mgodi (Close the Holes), kicked into gear on January 27.

“The police will safeguard these illegal shafts, allowing the necessary machinery to access and seal the sites.

During this period, the police will work closely with the DMR to ensure the identified areas are secure,” said Machakela.

“Contractors have been appointed to close the holes and shafts before the March 31 deadline.”

Facebook readers reactions to Anton Koen’s post:
Serogole Mphahlel: This is not a sinkhole, zama zama written all over it.

Hanjo De Jager: Fill it up with building rubble or it will just get bigger like the one on Rondebult Road, in Boksburg.

Bongani Ka Simelane: You jump in there you’ll resurface in Apex if not Dunswart.

Duke Benji Lilly Wessels: Not the zama’s, go watch the Carte Blanche episode. It’s water diluting dolomite. This is nature, you will find it in dolomite areas. When people sink boreholes the water level underground goes lower and then sinkholes appear.

Louise Burwise: Rondebult sinkhole in the making. When that collapses the road is going to be closed for years. Good luck.

UltiSbo Sbhono: These guys are really messing up infrastructure and properties. I wonder why they can’t be blown out of the ground. Ok, maybe that is inhumane, just send some snakes down there and you will see magic. Send some mambas.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Illegal mining in Benoni: Operation Close the Holes is here

ALSO READ: Update: Snake Road now open