A massive sinkhole on the R538 that leads to the Kruger National Park (KNP), is considered by motorists and residents in the area as a disaster waiting to happen, since it keeps increasing in size.

The sinkhole was caused by heavy rains in February and forces motorists to drive into oncoming traffic.

There is only one open lane with no stop-and-go in place. Numerous complaints were made by motorists about the sinkhole before it deteriorated to its current state.

The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT), responsible for the maintenance of the R538, has not yet repaired it.

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A tour operator, Steven Govender, who frequently uses the road, said that when it got damaged, the sinkhole only affected a part of one lane. Because of high traffic volumes and the lack of action from the DPWRT the sinkhole has significantly grown in size.

“The authorities were alerted and told that it required immediate attention. Instead of fixing it, however, plastic barricades were put up forcing motorists to drive further into oncoming traffic. The state of the road is harming the local tourism industry, since it’s a major route to the KNP,” he said.

A resident of the area, Fikile Zwane, is also concerned about the danger to pedestrians. “We have kids who can fall into the ditch, as the road is in a residential area. Some of us are forced to use a long detour to get to our houses. It’s only a matter of time before the entire road gets closed,” she said.

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Zwane added that it’s embarrassing, as the R538 leads to two popular KNP gates, Paul Kruger and Phabeni: “It carries local and international tourists and connects more than 20 villages to Hazyview. I appeal to the DPWRT to treat it as a matter of urgency. They must also consider a stop-and-go because using one lane is not safe.”

The DPWRT’s spokesperson, Bongani Dhlamini, said they are aware of the sinkhole. “The department has appointed a contractor to fix it and do other maintenance along the entire road. The work will commence before the end of May and is scheduled to be completed in about six weeks. The delay has been due to budget constraints in the past financial year, which ended March 31.”

Dhlamini said the works had been assessed and specifications of the required interventions are in place.