On February 14 residents who often use the section of the R501 past Doornfontein reported that the sinkhole next to the road was suddenly larger.

“The sinkhole is getting bigger and the gravel road passing it next to the old slimes dam also fell in,” a concerned resident reported to a ward councillor, Carlos Rebelo.

“There are many cars and trucks that use this road. People must be very careful,” the residents warned. The sinkhole and the road next to it were cordoned off over the weekend but, due to the persistent rain in the area, the road had collapsed even further by Monday morning.

Despite this and the fact that there is a clear dip in the road next to the sinkhole, many motorists use this road daily.

Promises were made to fix this road, but it was never done and, although the part of the road next to the sinkhole was cordoned off for years, motorists later removed the barriers after it looked as if the sinkhole was not growing and the road was safe.

The Herald took the issue to the Regional Manager of the Gauteng Roads and Transport, Bulelwa Thomas, who promised to look into the matter.

Questions to the Merafong City Local Municipality about the sinkhole went unanswered.