Public urged to avoid sinkhole area in Rondebult Road

The Ekurhuleni metro has urged residents and motorists to stay away from a sinkhole at the intersection of Main Reef and Pretoria roads because they cannot guarantee the stability of the road surface.

The sinkhole was identified by EMPD officers last week and, on February 17, the road was closed to traffic until further notice.

Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the extent of the damage is not yet known, but investigations are underway.

“We appeal to motorists to use alternative routes and urge the public to refrain from visiting the site because it may be dangerous,” he said.

According to Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos, the sinkhole seems to be rapidly expanding, probably because of the recent rains.

“It’s not only the rain that caused this sinkhole. I think the mining activities in the area over the years have also contributed to its size and growth,” he said.

“I cannot say when the repairs to the sinkhole will be done, but I called the MMC for City Planning early on Friday to inform her about the sinkhole. She told me her team went to assess the situation and determine what needs to be done,” said De Vos.

Dlamini confirmed that a group of engineers assessed the sinkhole on Friday.

“Over 50% of the metro’s ground is dolomitic. We have the manpower to deal with sinkholes when they develop, such as the one that developed in Snake Road,” he said.

Dlamini added that in 2010 they moved the residents of Bapsfontein to the N12 informal settlement because of a sinkhole that developed in the area.

“The MMC for City Planning, Heather Hart, recently handed over a house to a family in Katlehong, which was rebuilt by the metro after being damaged by a sinkhole in 2019, ” Dlamini explained.

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