The Pretoria West Sector 1 police are warning motorists and community members about a dangerous pothole on the corner of Vom Hagen Road and Rebecca Street in Pretoria West that has recently caused several accidents. The pothole has been in existence for the more than a year, as the water pipe underneath the ground continues to leak and has not been closed properly.
According to Pretoria West Sector 1’s deputy chairperson, Suzette Goosen, the hole caused three accidents in one night last week and is a danger to both motorists and pedestrians. “Last week three accidents occurred on the corner, and on Wednesday evening a vehicle drove into the hole and damaged its tyre.” Motorists who are unfortunate enough to drive through this pothole may think it is just their tyres that have been damaged, only to find out later that more serious damage has been done to their car, as, according to Goosen, the pothole measures 1m in length and width and is 45cm deep.
She said that some of their members had tried to put up warning signs around the hole, but these were removed. This morning Goosen noticed that new warning signs had been put up, but she was unsure by whom. The hole on the corner makes it difficult for motorists to turn into Vom Hagen Road heading west, since its size makes it difficult to avoid.
Goosen explained that the accident she saw on Friday was caused by a motorist not seeing the hole in time and damaging the vehicle’s tyres. She added that were several other potholes in the west and advised motorists to watch out for them.
Tshwane metro spokesperson, Selby Bokaba, said that the complaint about the hole had been referred to the metro’s roads and storm water division. “Residents are urged to please report potholes to pothole@tshwane.gov.za and indicate the street name, physical address nearest to the pothole, the nearest intersection, the name of the suburb, and their name, email address or contact number.”
Bokaba said that community members were welcome to contact the Atteridgeville depot on 012-358-5099 or the Belle Ombre roads depot on 012-358-0614 and could contact 012-358-2111 after hours. “If there are any community members with claims for damages, they need to be addressed to Tshwane Legal Services, situated on the 13th Floor of the Saambou Building, 227 Thabo Sehume Street, Pretoria Central,” Bokaba concluded.
