Residents of Woodmere continue to worry about their safety and well-being as ground around them, simialr to a sinkhole, keeps persisting.

ALSO READ: Woodmere residents live in fear of sinkholes

Coral Street resident Anton de Montille expressed concern for his family’s safety.

He has lived in the neighbourhood for the last 20 years, and in the last 10 years, he said something similar to a sinkhole has emerged on his property.

The City of Ekurhuleni said inquiries into the collapsing ground have been underway for four years. It has been recommended to replace the entire stormwater infrastructure.

With the recent rainfall, more residents have come forward with grievances similar to De Montille’s.

ALSO READ: City urges residents to beware of early signs of sinkholes

Sixteen households in Woodmere have been affected by the ground collapsing. A few residents gathered at Coral Street to express their grievances to GCN on March 1.

De Montille said the situation in his yard has worsened.

“Our lawn has collapsed further. Officials only visit us to take pictures and write reports, then leave. We demand to start seeing something happen,” said De Montille.

“We need to get this area declared a disaster zone,” he added.

Brian Kirby said that the rain over the past two weeks caused his property to flood, causing their wall to collapse.

“I’ve already replaced the wall twice. All my garden equipment was washed away by the floods,” said Kirby.

“The sinkhole started to form 13 years ago. We called the municipality, which arrived and informed us that the corrugated pipe had begun to corrode. They stuffed it with stones and sand,” said Kirby.

“There has been no lasting answer for 13 years. Mayors and councillors have changed, yet there is still no resolution. When there is a strong rainfall, the water level might rise by 1.2 meters,” he said.

“The wall that divides our houses has a hole underneath it. I can travel underground to my neighbour,” said Kirby, adding that nothing grows on the surface of the servitude line.

ALSO READ: City urges residents to beware of early signs of sinkholes

Peddy Potgieter, of Hazel Road, said in November 2016 there was a storm that caused their wall to collapse.

“The municipality took pictures and vanished. We paid for the repairs out of our own pockets. Every time we call the municipality, they come but nothing happens. Our backyards look terrible,” said Potgieter.

“The cracks are slowly extending to our house. I filled my pavement with sand and repaired it, but now it is starting to sink,” said Potgieter, adding that pictures alone cannot tell the extent of the damage caused by the sinkhole.

Nic Franco of Barbara Road said he moved to the area seven years ago, and four months after moving in, there was a storm.

“My wife’s car collapsed in the driveway soon after the storm. Our insurance had to pay for the repair of the driveway and the car,” said Franco.

“My driveway has collapsed eight times since then, causing damage to my car and my father-in-law’s vehicle.

ALSO READ: CoE warns residents to keep an eye out for sinkholes developing

“The whole driveway is full of patches. When it rains, we have to smash holes in our backyard walls to allow water to pass through, otherwise, our walls are going to collapse on us again,” said Franco.

Edward Matthew of Laurel Road said he had to move his fence back into the yard.

“The circulating chamber is located at the corner of my property and receives water from Barbara Road. Soil erosion has further harmed my property,” Matthew said.

“After repairs, the chamber must be rebuilt and sealed. As the situation stands water will start to flood the houses even though we are throwing everything we can find into the holes,” said Matthew.

Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro was present at the meeting held at Coral Street.

He claimed that the residents are dealing with issues that first surfaced a long time ago but were never resolved.

“We are working nonstop around the clock to save lives and try to prevent further damage to property. The implementation of the adjustment budget is still pending.

The HoDs have also been informed of the situation, and the MMC has been on the scene.

“This will be expensive, so it’s critical that council approves my ward’s budget.

“Water issues have previously existed in this area. Several locals were completely unaware of the servitude line,” said Guerreiro.

ALSO READ: CoE warns defaulters to pay up or face consequences

He also said that they have already had two community meetings, and a third is already scheduled.

The GCN requested a comment from the City of Ekurhuleni by March 3 at 12h00. By the time of going to print no comment had been received.