Growing sinkhole threatens to isolate Sheffield complex

Fed-up Sheffield Beach residents want answers over an ever-deepening sinkhole caused by heavy rainfall in April.

Residents of The Village, located in a cul-de-sac behind the sinkhole in Barrier Lane, are concerned that soil erosion will continue, potentially cutting them off from access to their homes. They want to know when the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) will fix the road.

“This is an urgent issue. In the last week, more soil has fallen away,” said trustee Ian Cochrane.

“If it rains again, it will keep collapsing – then we will be cut off. There is also a pumphouse and electrical substation that the municipality won’t be able to access,” he said.

Estate manager Nick Swift said he had first noticed the road sinking about three years ago. On April 16, a large portion of the road outside the complex’s entrance gave way, connecting to long-term erosion. Residents believe a burst water pipe running under the road created the sinkhole.

“The night security guard called me at 5am to say the water was washing away the road. There was sewage and water pumping out the side like crazy. It was horrible, but Siza Water came and quickly fixed the pipes. They did an amazing job,” said Swift.

Swift contacted KDM, but no action was taken. Residents then asked Ward 22 councillor, Privi Makhan, to request a meeting with the municipality, to no avail.

Makhan said the sinkhole issue at Barrier Lane was brought to the attention of KDM’s civil engineering department in October 2022, but the municipality failed to take action.

“In true local government style, the blame has now been shifted onto another entity,” she said.

KDM spokesperson Sifiso Zulu said the damage was caused by a burst water main. He refuted claims that KDM were doing nothing about the problem.

“KDM is currently engaging Siza Water to deal with the reinstatement of the damage,” he said.

“Municipal officials engage all ward councillors and respond to their queries by updating everyone on the service delivery WhatsApp group. The Civil Engineering Services Business Unit is in contact with the ward councillor with regards to this matter.”

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