Huge ‘sinkhole’ in Hercules a hazard to motorists

Hercules residents are fed up with poor service delivery after a delivery truck got stuck in a huge “sinkhole”, which formed after a pipe burst on the corners of Hendrik and Taljaard streets two months ago.

The problem eventually got so out of hand that the road collapsed.

“We are last on the Tshwane metro’s priority list,” complained frustrated resident, Johan van Staden.

According to Van Staden, the area is plagued by “constant” water leaks and electricity interruptions.

“They are either never fixed by the metro or it takes the metro months to do something about the problem. We are so discouraged!

“The more we try to get a response from the municipality, the less feedback we get.”

The truck partially fell into the sinkhole in the early morning hours of Friday, June 18.

“The truck driver was making deliveries and was not familiar with the area,” said Van Staden.

Van Staden said another reason for the accident was that no warning signs were visible.

“After many requests following the incident, the metro removed the yellow barriers, which had fallen into the hole several times before, in the afternoon and cordoned off the area with proper signage.

“You can imagine for yourself what danger it poses to residents in the area, let alone anyone who does not know the neighbourhood and drives through it in the evening.”

Van Staden said service delivery in Hercules is “not what it should be”.

“We often sit without water or electricity,” he said.

“A lot of elderly people live in the area and they do not necessarily have transport to go and buy water.

“Residents would like the metro to drive with them through the streets and see where the problem areas are, so that the community can point them out.

“We want answers as to why problems are not responded to and how our complaints can be dealt with and addressed to in the future.”

DA councillor from ward 1, Elma Nel, said that she was aware that service delivery was “not as desired”.

“I have attended several meetings,” she told Rekord.

“I also spoke to directors and district managers and have repeatedly asked to fix the sinkhole as soon as possible.”

She said the situation at this stage was no longer acceptable to her.

“It’s just causing more and more problems. After last week’s incident with the truck, those involved let me know that it is going to be sorted out this week.

“The metro’s teams cannot work on their normal schedules,” Nel said.

“They only have one of nine teams at their disposal and many workers are also now being overrun by Covid-19.

“So we are not working at our normal capacity.

“I just want to mention to residents that the municipal workers who tested positive for Covid-19 are also people like us who get sick and have families who they have to support.

“We are currently in the third, and possibly worst, wave of the pandemic; and pray for everyone’s health and safety,” said Nel.

She further said that it was bitterly difficult for her when her residents do not have water and electricity.

“Residents are entitled to these facilities, but on the other hand, I would like to thank the residents who are handling the situation with the necessary understanding and patience.”

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Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said that sinkholes cannot form in Pretoria West because it wasn’t a dolomite area.

“There was an excavation to repair a large sewer pipe,” said Mashigo.

“All that needs to happen now is for the ground to be dry to enable backfilling of the ditch.

“On-site work is in progress. It is hoped that there’s no leak; in the event there is one, it can only be detected once water has been drained out.”

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