The problems at the site in Khayalethu, Khutsong, where a massive sinkhole almost swallowed two taxis in December, are still not resolved.

A sinkhole caved in where a municipal contractor left a ditch open near the old Teacher’s Quarters at Khayalethu on December 3. Residents watched in shock as two minibus-taxis that had been parked in the front garden of Dorah Motladile (72) hung over the side of the sinkhole.

According to Motladile’s neighbour, Elias Mkhabela, they are still struggling with the municipality over the matter. Although the council filled the hole before Christmas and had a new manhole erected, this did not end the problems.

So much sewage is still leaking from the pipeline that the manhole is already skewed.

Mkhabela and other neighbours were furious when a municipal contractor arrived on February 5 with an excavator and wanted to close the manhole.

“We will not allow this. The municipality promised us that they would close it only temporarily. This area needs some time to be declared safe. The municipality must dig it open and assure us that it is not leaking sewage underground, otherwise they cannot close it,” says Mkhabela.

He has contacted the ward councillor and municipal officials several times. Although a honey-sucker truck comes to remove the excess sewerage, it just builds up again every time after the truck has left.
The Herald took the issue to the municipality marketing and communications manager, Temba Fezani, on Monday, but received no response by printing time.