Residents of Khutsong are growing increasingly concerned as new sinkholes continue to expand dangerously near the B-Section of Maxhoseng, months after a municipal water pipe burst in the area.

The Herald previously reported that municipal workers responded to the scene quickly during the Human Rights Day long weekend to repair a broken pipe. However, despite their swift response, a large amount of water still leaked at the site, which likely accelerated the formation of existing sinkholes.

By Monday, two of the sinkholes had expanded significantly, and the section of ground separating them had caved in entirely. One side of the extended hole now leads into a deep cavity, the bottom of which is not visible. Alarmingly, another sinkhole has formed only a few metres away.

One of the sinkholes sits on the grounds where Badirile Secondary School once stood before it was relocated in 1987. The affected area is on the northern edge of Maxhoseng, also known as Khutsong’s Xhosa Section, and borders informal housing settlements.

“We are very worried that this will sink in further,” said concerned residents, who pointed out that the ground is now beginning to collapse near yet another house adjacent to the expanding sinkholes.

So far, at least three homes have been evacuated due to ground instability. As a result, a nearby intersection has been closed off, forcing drivers to take longer alternative routes to access certain homes.

In an attempt to secure the site, the municipality has cordoned off the sinkholes with barbed wire. However, no clear communication has been issued regarding a long-term solution or mitigation strategy.

The Herald reached out to the municipality to ask what plans are in place to stop the sinkholes from growing or to fill them, but no response was received by the time of publication.