Residents are being urged to keep a sharp eye on local pavements and roadsides after a local councillor was seriously injured in a freak accident.

Tollie Lubbe, a 74-year-old councillor for the Merafong City Local Municipality, was attending a community registration event in Welverdiend on May 2 when the ground literally gave way beneath him.

Lubbe had parked his car at an open field across from the local clinic and stepped out to join colleagues when he plunged into a hidden hole.

The hole was roughly 1.3m deep but only 30cm wide, making it a perfect trap as it was completely obscured by long grass.

Lubbe described how the ground seemed to disappear in an instant.

“I parked my car just a bit further to give enough space for other people to park as well. When I got out of my car and walked a few steps, the ground just disappeared under me.”

He was left in agonising pain as colleagues rushed to help. Because his injuries were so severe, colleagues, including FF Plus caucus head Ben van den Berg had to pull him out of the deep gap by his trousers rather than his arms.

Lubbe’s wife, Issie, drove with him to Potchefstroom Hospital, where medical staff later confirmed that the councillor had suffered a fractured right arm and a broken left leg just above the knee.

He has since had a steel rod fitted in his leg and his arm placed in a cast. While he is now back at home, he faces at least six weeks of bed rest.

Despite the ordeal, the councillor remains in good spirits and is already taking calls to help residents with their problems.

“I really want to continue helping people. I think the Lord made this happen to me because He wanted me to take things a bit slower,” he chuckled.

Following the accident, Van den Berg filled the hole with rocks and a bucket to prevent further incidents.
Lubbe believes the dangerous pit was left behind years ago by contractors who were digging holes for Wi-Fi poles but never finished the job.

Lubbe asked that residents must please look out for such holes, and fill them up if they see any.

A resident who worked on that specific project confirmed that the dimensions of the hole match those dug for the internet cables.

The local municipality was contacted for comment regarding their safety checks on contractors, but they provided no response to the Herald by the time of publication.