Aerial image shows devastating impact of illegal mining in Brakpan

No, your eyes are not deceiving you.

The image you are looking at is not that of a bombed road in a war-torn country.

This aerial photo is one of several taken of Main Reef Road for the Brakpan Herald and is an exclusive bird’s-eye view of further damage illegal miners are causing to the road.

This stretch of road has been closed since November following the development of another sinkhole.

Illegal miners have taken advantage of its closure and the road and surrounding area are being excavated at an alarming pace.

The image captures at least a dozen men on site and their activities are becoming more brazen.

No attempt has been made to hide the operation as all sorts of equipment lies exposed for anyone to see.

An electrical cable runs along the pock-marked road to a generator situated next to a large trench of water.

A portion of the roadside has exploded into a cavernous hole and the surface of the road is punctured with numerous cavities.

Not only is this hazardous to the illegal miners themselves, but it also poses a risk to residents of the Plastic City informal settlement.

With little to nothing being done to put a stop to these illegal activities, it may only be a matter of time before the ground becomes unstable, increasing the risk of cave-ins, and the road completely collapses and becomes unsalvageable.

The City of Ekurhuleni previously told the Brakpan Herald the road would only be repaired in the new financial year.

Comment on this matter has again been requested from the municipality and will be published once received.