UPDATE: Valhalla sinkhole continues to cause headaches
The problem was made worse because there was no alternative route available for residents.
A sinkhole in Stephanus Schoeman Road near Valhalla towards the R55 continues to cause headaches for residents.
The sinkhole formed on the national route earlier this year, following heavy rainfall.
It gained infamy shortly after a motorist accidentally drove his vehicle into it.
One resident in particular, Shereen Tayob, said the sinkhole was having adverse effects on her home business.
“Customers do not want to visit my business anymore because of the nuisance the sinkhole creates,” said Tayob.
Simple tasks such as taking children to school have become something that takes up most of residents’ time, she said.
She said the problem was made worse because there was no alternative route available for residents.
“It takes forever to get to my children’s school and to visit customers,” said Tayob.
“We as residents just want something to be done about this, [just] like something was done to the sinkhole in Centurion.”
Last month, the intersection of Jean Avenue and Gerhard Street was completely reopened after R25-million worth of repairs were completed on a sinkhole that formed nearly two years ago.
A new sinkhole prioritising process had been established earlier this year to address the high number of sinkholes in Centurion.
Some of the factors included in the process are:
– Safety of residents
– Exposure to risk
– Extent of damage
– Stability of the sinkhole
– Age of feature
– Scope of repair work
– Availability of funds
– Capacity to repair
But it would appear the repair of the Stephanus Schoeman Road sinkhole is out of the metro’s hands.
Ward councillor Ina Strijdom confirmed to Rekord that the road belonged to the national government and not the Tshwane metro.
ALSO READ: Lyttelton Road ‘trench’ not a sinkhole – ward councillor
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