Merafong City Local Municipality has failed to fix a leaking water pipe in Carletonville, raising fresh fears because the area is notorious for dangerous sinkholes.

The leak comes from a sealed-off pipe on a main water pipeline situated on the traffic island between Bluebell Street and the R501 road. Locals noted water pouring out on September 21 and 28, while a hazardous open manhole sits dangerously close to the site.

The Herald informed the municipality about the matter, but officials have not responded.

This exact location was devastated by major sinkholes in 2016 and 2018. Those previous collapses severely damaged the main water pipeline and triggered widespread water shortages across Carletonville.
This ground is highly susceptible to sinkholes, which are frequently triggered by water leaks.

Another massive sinkhole also caved in nearby on Erica Street roughly a decade ago. This also followed a water leak.