The 4-metre deep hole was believed to have been caused by a leaking waterline in the area that has eroded the dolomite upon which the area is built.

At the time, council spokesperson, Willie Maphosa said the water leakage and ageing infrastructure had exacerbated the dolomitic condition.

He says the municipality had appointed AGES to investigate the immediate threat that the sinkhole posed and define the subsurface extent of the sinkhole and then develop a rehabilitation plan.

‘We can now report that all the work has been completed. The extent of the area at risk has been identified. The area extends east-west across Rev. Phetlhu Street in the area surrounding the sinkhole. It must be noted that, in the light of the results of the investigation as well as the recommended sinkhole rehabilitation plan, the permanent resettlement of the four houses surrounding the sinkhole will not be necessary, although it has been proposed that residents on two of the erven should be provided with Z or seek Z temporary alternative accommodation until such time that the sinkhole has been rehabilitated.

‘Also, prior to rehabilitation, the residents of the two other adjacent erven should closely monitor their properties. It may be necessary for the residents of these two houses to also relocate temporarily once rehabilitation starts until such time as it is has been successfully completed.

The municipality will engage with the affected families in this regard,’ he said.

“The community in the affected areas has generally been made aware of the threat on various occasions. It remains critically important, therefore, that home-owners should continuously monitor their erven.’

He added that residents in Rev. Phetlhu Street still need to take caution and do daily inspections of the area between the house and the sinkhole, more specifically:

• Daily visual inspections of the area between the house and the sinkhole to see if new cracks have formed in the ground.

• Daily inspections for ground settlement and cracks in the houses.

• Daily inspection of water meter readings when all taps are closed to determine if any leaks occur.

• Alertness to the sound of falling rocks

• Visual inspection of area between the house and sinkhole immediately during and after heavy rainstorms to see if the sinkhole has crept closer to the house/erf.

• Immediately report any new movement, cracks, unfamiliar sounds etc. to the municipality’s disaster management centre.

• Prevent any ponding of water on the erf.

Maphosa says the municipality is currently busy upgrading the water pipelines along Rev. Phetlhu and Radebe streets to comply with the current dolomite standards. These upgrades are expected to be completed within the next month. ‘The municipality is also busy procuring a specialist civil contractor to rehabilitate the sinkhole. The rehabilitation process is expected to take about 20 weeks from the date of appointment to complete,’ he said.