New sinkhole fears emerge near Hlanganani Primary School after R6m repair project
Residents have raised fresh concerns about ground stability near Hlanganani Primary School after a manhole reportedly sank into the ground, less than a year after a R6 million repair project was completed.
Ground stability problems have returned to the site across from Hlanganani Primary School, less than a year after a R6m repair project was finished.
According to municipal documents, the most recent “refurbishment” project follows a previous scandal in which almost R5m was allegedly paid for work that was never completed. That case has been under investigation since October 2024. Last week, residents noticed the ground sinking again.
Resident Thabo Klaas reported that a manhole has completely sunk into the ground.
”This shows there is a sinkhole underneath,” Klaas said. The Merafong Municipality cordoned off the area on February 18, but residents say the response was too slow.
“How is it that a new sinkhole caved in less than a year after a contractor worked in the same area?” another resident lamented.
To make matters worse, sewage also started to stream from manholes in the area.
The Herald took the issue to the municipality on Monday.
“The spillage is as a result of the collapsed sewer pipe due to sinkhole formation, the municipality has contractor on site rerouting the sewer to address the collapsed area. The spillage will depend on the completion of pipe rerouting,” said the municipality’s marketing and communications manager, Temba Fezani.
