Frustration continues to grow over a sinkhole on the corner of the R102 and the entrance to Shaka’s Head.

The initial damage on the P339, a few metres from Imbonini Park, occurred during the devastating 2022 floods, but the road was further washed away in January last year.

The situation now poses a significant safety risk to residents and motorists, particularly with the frequent movement of heavy trucks accessing the nearby industrial area.

Despite the road falling under the jurisdiction of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, no clear timeline for repairs has been provided. However, reports suggest that a private company has offered to undertake the repairs, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Cobus Oelofse, CEO of the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, expressed his concern, noting that should the road collapse further it would have a severe impact on local businesses, including members of some of the largest industrial estates on the North Coast.

“The Chamber has emphasised to the KwaDukuza municipality the importance of prioritising the maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure in and around the region’s industrial nodes.

“However, the repair of this particular road falls under the remit of the KZN Department of Transport. Although the Chamber has been unable to get an update from the DoT on the progress with the repairs project, it is understood that the private sector offered to conduct the repairs but that the authorities were reluctant to agree to such an arrangement,” said Oelofse.

Shaka’s Head councillor, Jetro Banda, echoed these frustrations, stating that the department had been notified about the issue on multiple occasions.

“They once assured me that the road would be fixed before Christmas, but nothing was done. Residents are extremely unhappy, and the lack of communication from the department only adds to the frustration,” said Banda.

The KZN Transport Department had not responded at the time of publication.

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