Tshwane puts R14m aside for sinkhole repairs

Tshwane has allocated more than R14-million to address sinkhole-related issues in Centurion, which have been a major concern for residents in the area.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city plans to use the R14.5m budget to repair nine small and low-priority sinkholes during the current financial year.

He said the sinkholes earmarked for repairs include those in locations such as the Laudium Soccer Grounds, Amkor Road in Lyttelton Manor, and on Hugo Road in Valhalla.

“Other sites include South Street in Die Hoewes, Johan Strauss in Christoburg, and several other streets in Erasmia and Lyttelton Manor,” he said.

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Mashigo clarified that while the budget will be divided across all of the sinkholes, the costs for repairs can vary significantly.

“Each of the identified sinkholes vary in size, extent, and depth, which results in a wide range of repair costs.

“Some may require less than R1-million, while others could exceed R30-million.”

He emphasised that several risk and safety factors are assessed to determine which sinkholes will be addressed first.

The metro will also be collaborating with external contractors and experts to help address these sinkhole challenges.

Mashigo added that safeguarding and services diversion works are currently underway at the 12m deep sinkhole on Second Avenue in Laudium, which formed on January 11.

Officials had secured the area to ensure it was stabilised.

“The sinkhole is still expanding and needs to be stabilised. It will be included on the priority list for geological investigations and repair works.

“It is important to note that sinkholes occur naturally due to the region’s geological formations,” he said.

He explained that while the city has made efforts to plan for them, there are a number of mitigating factors that prevent proactive measures.

“The management of underground leaks linked to ageing infrastructure remains a challenging and unpredictable issue.”

Mashigo mentioned that the Council for Geoscience identified the area as prone to sinkholes only after significant development had occurred.

He stated that had this classification been in place before development, the city would have substantially restricted or refused development given the risks associated with sinkholes.

The growing number of sinkholes in Centurion continues to cause frustration among residents.

As a fellow Centurion member, I’m greatly concerned with the sinkholes in the area & the lack of repair. One is recent & the others years old. Here are 3 within a 500m radius; South St, Amkor Dr & Clifton Ave. The sinkhole on Clifton isn’t even enclosed- children play here. pic.twitter.com/SnjQqKn3zx

— Fatima Vicente Goncalves (@vicente_fatima) January 20, 2025

Currently, the area has about 50 sinkholes, which have previously led to road closures, service losses, and even the swallowing of homes.

A resident from Die Hoewes, Isaac Schoeman, said he gets worried every time he drives around Centurion because a sinkhole or subsidence of the road might suddenly occur.

“It’s terrifying to think that my home could be next at any time.”

Emily van Staden, another resident in Lyttelton Manor, believes that the sinkhole in Clifton Avenue, which formed in 2022, is part of the reason why crime has increased in the area.

“There have been many incidents of wall jumpers and criminals breaking into people’s homes in the area, and then they hide near the sinkhole.

“I’ve been living in Centurion for years, and while I’ve seen some challenges, the sinkholes are truly unsettling.”

She said she is constantly worried about her safety and that another sinkhole might form in the area.

Last year, the large sinkhole stopped expanding following the successful diversion of a sewerage pipe.

The pipe was suspended underneath a steel bridge that was installed across the sinkhole.

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The sinkhole was previously growing at an alarming rate, which caused knock-on effects in the surrounding area.

In February 2023, the earth gave way as the sinkhole expanded, and residents watched a disaster unfold as the sinkhole engulfed two properties.

At the time, one of the property owners, Elvis Mathaba, was asked to make alternative living arrangements when the sinkhole endangered his home.

His house was soon after targeted by criminals who stripped taps, cladding, wiring, and light fittings.

MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, recently told Rekord Tshwane was aware of the fact that addressing sinkholes is very expensive.

She said there is collaboration with emergency services to get assistance from the national government to tackle the issue effectively.

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